 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2008-08-05 23:21
The daughter of a good friend of mine is an excellent musician, accomplished classical pianist and passable flute player, and has gotten very interested in playing oboe the last couple of years. She is using a loaner older Loree from the school system, but is ready to purchase an oboe for herself. She is telling her mom that she 'needs' a new Loree Professional, but mom is concerned about the very high cost...but is willing to buy a high quality instrument. So I am looking for some guidance to pass on to her. She is clearly ready for a high end intermediate or 'standard' (not elite) professional horn, as she has passed auditions to get into advanced ensembles.
I generally like to give sensible advice, so I personally consider eventual resale value and as such, stick to well-known brands. I assume the major oboe manufacturers: Loree, Fox, Buffet, Patricola, and of course, Yamaha. In each of these lines, I'm looking for advice as to what I call the inflection point in the offerings...i.e. the point where spending more money does not get you a dramatically better oboe. For example, how much better do the Fox oboes get as you progress from the 330 resin to the 400 or the Yamahas as you go from the 400 series to the 800 series. Really worth the money?? Will the difference be noticeable in the first 5 years of oboe playing.
I don't play any double reeds and my last experience with an oboe player was a girlfriend 40 years ago in a woodwind quintet setting. I did read through all the posts here and couldn't find much info.
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Author: Dutchy
Date: 2008-08-06 00:01
Can you give us a general price range that they're willing to spend? It helps to narrow it down right away.
You can get used Lorees for about half the price of a new one. If she likes Lorees, I'd simply look around for a used one. There are reputable dealers in used Lorees that will allow you to "try before you buy" with a credit card number and a deposit.
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2008-08-06 00:35
Dear Shmuelyosef,
The first Loree (BB2X) I got was not a very good one! The middle b and c were spread and the middle f#, g, and G# were very stuffy and these two problems caused a lot of grief, believe me. The replacement with the BF51 made such a tremendous difference, you wouldn't believe it. Only then, was I able to develop properly and that is an extremely important consideration. Beware of the phony Lorees! They say Loree on them but the keywork certainly doesn't look like Loree and they didn't sound like Loree's, either. Maybe by now they've all been I-D'ed and junked.
Just for safety sake, the instrument should be tested by a competent player, especially for the two issues I mentioned above, and the top joint tested for "sealing" by putting the middle finger of the right hand in the opening at the cork joint (sealing it off), putting the B, A, and G keys down normally, not squashed, putting the lips up to the top where the reed goes, but don't put a reed in it(!), and sucking the air out of the bore, and then putting the upper lip on the hole to test the suction. I believe the Moenning test specified something like 20 seconds or so, before suction is lost. If it's lost right away, that instrument will be hard(er) to play!
I hope this helps. Regards, LoreeBF51
R. Still former student
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2008-08-06 01:20
I'd vote for a used oboe. If your ISP is correct (which they often aren't), you are within striking distance of LA and one of the larger oboe dealers in the country, RDG Woodwinds. If you call them up and give them a price range and an idea of what you're looking for, they can often come up with something.
Please send me an email privately and tell me a bit more about what you're looking for. I keep tabs with several major dealers and have some idea of used oboes being wheeled and dealed.
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2008-08-06 03:33
yes, vote for standard pro horn, excellent condition, definitely used, not brand new
... at just two 'passable' years playing oboe, and just recently been successful in auditioning for advanced ensemble, she's going to be very busy honing her playing skills, plus fussing with reeds as well -- advise Mom to be ready to put more money in that direction -- so she really won't have time to dally about gradually & gently blowing in a brand new instrument, she needs an instrument ready to play
nobody can foresee where she'll be with oboe in 5 years, so if she sticks with oboe for now, and continues on into a career with it later, she can buy her own brand new instrument when she's flush and more experienced, blow it in carefully, and it'll really mean a great deal to her by then
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Author: D
Date: 2008-08-06 04:21
Certainly used seems to be the way to go. The major depreciation has happened, major faults already been worked out (hopefully!) and already broken in. Don't forget to add on enough in the budget for a comprehensive service. And as the student seems to be *new new new* orientated, a good polish of the keys and a new case.
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-08-06 08:05
Martin Schuring's website has some extremely sound advice as to buying an instrument:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~schuring/Oboe/instruments.html
His prices are a little out of date, but the advice is as good as it gets.
Ideally, the student should take his best reeds and his teacher to a major store and spend several hours trying out the instruments in the price-range, including one or two that are outside of the price range (in both directions). Gives a much better idea of what the extra money gets you.
When you are spending this sort of money it makes sense to take your time, and do it carefully.
J.
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Author: oboemoboe
Date: 2008-08-06 08:49
I am a BIG fan of the Rigoutat RIEC, it is a great sounding horn for serious students. Mine got me through college and even played my first professionnal gigs! I eventually switched to a Lorée Royal in grad school, but still recommend the RIEC to students.
Good luck, keep us posted!
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2008-08-13 01:28
I've bought some really good used instruments. Just look from a valid source (NOT e-Bay), a music/double reed shop that lets you try before you buy. I've bought from usedoboes.com (she let me try THREE), miller marketing, and Peter Hurd. And older instruments may be better quality: the wood tends to be more dense.
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