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Re: Howarth S5XL Professional

Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-10-18 16:26

The current XL has thick walled joints (22mm in diameter just below the crown) - the top joint is the same diameter as the standard S5, though some older (pre-2002) models had different diameter joints, the 'Z' body being the widest and is now the standard diameter joint on all XL oboes. The outside bell shape and bell bore is different on post-2002 XL oboes being more hollow than the standard S5 (by 'hollow' I mean the inside is more concave in the lower part of the bell - more of an 'S' curve on the XL). The XL has also has a slightly different bore to the S5.

Tonehole sizes and placing are different on the XL in comparison to the S5, and as all companies stress, they have the right to change specifications - this means an XL from 2003 or 2004 may have slightly different tonehole sizes and placements compared to one from 2006.

Some key touches are shaped differently on the XL - the feathers (LH low B,Bb and Eb keys) are slightly taller than an S5, the kidneys (RH C, C# and Eb keys) are of a different shape and angle compared to an S5, as well as the RH G# and G#/A trill key have a different shape - also more adjusting screws, better venting on the forked F vent and the 'banana' key is closer to the RH3 split ring.

I thought the blackwood XL oboes played better (more free-blowing) than the cocobolo ones (which have ebonite bushed toneholes on the top joint as standard on exotic woods), the cocobolo ones felt more resistant, though I think it's a matter of personal choice - if you can try out several of them then you can make an assessment of what you like. Though the cocobolo XL d'amores and cors anglais do play very nicely.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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