 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2016-07-31 21:32
I need the thumb rest to be quite a bit lower, on the order of more than half an inch. I am very reluctant to drill holes and move the existing thumb rest. Is there anything out there that easily attaches and detaches to the existing thumb rest, that will be stable enough to play on? (Rigoutat Expression, if it matters.) This is the only thing on the Rigoutat that is an ergonomic problem.
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Author: matt_lin18
Date: 2016-07-31 22:55
Have you tried an adjustable thumb rest?
I found a cheap one here on eBay for $6. I can't speak for the quality it but there's not a whole lot that go wrong with a thumb rest. Worst thing is probably if it breaks off the oboe and accidentally drop it. The shipping might take a few weeks too because it's from China.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Adjustable-Thumb-Rest-for-Bb-Clarinet-Oboe-/181755942478?hash=item2a517f964e:g:9RkAAOSwKrhVYtpU
Forrests also sells a Loree adjustable thumb rest for a whopping $160.
http://www.forrestsmusic.com/oboe_straps.htm#thumb_rests
If you drill holes lower to accommodate for the thumb rest you have now, you might issues putting the oboe inside the case.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2016-07-31 23:01
Oboist in my orchestra uses a wine cork to lower the thumb position.
...GBK
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-08-01 01:22
So long as there isn't a cross bracing in the bottom of the case immediately below the thumbrest that could prevent the lower joint from fitting and the case being closed, then do the wine cork thing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2016-08-01 02:22
If you are handy with tools, then you could make one of sheet nickle silver or aluminum sheet. It can be cut with a metal shears, bent, and drilled to fit the existing holes in the oboe body. The finishing touch could be a piece of sheet cork glued with contact cement to the thumb part. Good luck!
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2016-08-07 06:35
Thanks for the input. If I use a wine cork, how it is held on? Right now I have a piece of styrofoam that is held on with a twist tie from a garbage bag. That is not tight enough....and I need a full 1/2 inch so just adding some padding is not enough. I see the $6 one at Brookmays but it doesn't look thick enough. I have an aftermarket case (the one that came with it is old and smelly) and the fit is loose, so I think anything I put on is going to fit in the case.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-08-08 13:35
If using a wine cork, you're going to have to glue it onto the thumbrest with contact adhesive - thinly and evenly coating both the joining surfaces with adhesive, leaving for a few minutes so the solvent evaporates and then pressing them both together to form the bond.
But first you will have to shape the end of the cork to fit the curve of the thumbrest which is done by filing and papering up smooth so it's a perfect fit with no gaps.
With thin sheet cork from 0.5mm up to around 3mm it's easy as the cork can be bent to fit the curve as you stick it on. But with anything thicker than 3mm, you'll have to shape it to fit.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2016-08-12 01:15
Thanks. I hadn't thought of using contact cement to glue to the existing thumb rest. That doesn't bother me like drilling holes in the oboe does.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-08-12 15:21
If you want extra security, then shape the underside of the wine cork to fit the radius of the joint and glue that to the body as well as having the end radiused to fit and to be glued to the thumbrest.
You'll have far more surface area of the cork bonded to the instrument and also in two planes at right angles to each other, so it won't be easy to accidentally knock it off.
Degrease the joint surface and the thumbrest with alcohol to ensure a successful bond. Same applies with plastic bodied instruments as alcohol won't harm the plastic. Don't use solvents as they can soften and dissolve plastic.
You won't be doing any harm to the joint by doing that as opposed to drilling holes into and fitting screws in there which will need to be filled when it needs to be reverted back to near original form.
By just sticking the cork on with adhesive, it can be removed easily and the only thing to do then is to clean up the joint surface where it was glued to, clean up the thumbrest and attach a thinner piece of cork onto it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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