| 
    | Author: Chris P Date:   2007-02-26 20:13
 
 The vent holes in the bell are normal on these oboes as they haven't got the bell key and the low Bb mechanism is omitted (it's to keep the cost down), so they just have the vent holes there instead.
 
 If there were no vent holes in the bell, you'd get low Bb, but no low B natural. Though all oboes above this will have the low Bb mechanism and the bell key as standard.
 
 In the UK all oboes have low Bb even the most basic ones - including the most basic thumbplate models made by Selmer USA (Bundy/B&H "78") for the UK market have the low Bb, though they only have the C-D trill for LH finger 3 (no trill key on the bottom joint for RH 2), and simple octave keys which means you have to release the thumb when you open the upper 8ve key which is a pain.
 
 Former oboe finisher
 Howarth of London
 1998 - 2010
 
 Independent Woodwind Repairer
 Single and Double Reed Specialist
 Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
 
 NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
 
 The opinions I express are my own.
 
 
 
 |  |