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Re: Larilee Oboes

Author: Debora L. Osborne
Date: 2005-01-11 00:40

Hi there....you were asking about Larilee oboes....I can remember hearing about the Larilee Corporation & their fine oboes ever since I first started beginning band back in junior high (in the late '60's.....so I'm not so young as I used to be, ha!!!) Going thru high school & college & then doing church orchestra & community band work since then, I've encountered Larilee oboes & their players from time to time & I've never heard anything but good things from both!!! Recently, I've had the privilege of acquiring a "vintage" Larilee top-of-their-line oboe (from about 1981 or so)....*beautiful* instrument, made from the really good grenadilla wood of many years past which tends to be denser & sounder & less prone to cracking than the newer wood....this oboe is crack-free; & has had an all-cork pad job done on it!!! (before I acquired it, by a previous owner). I called up the Larilee Corp. in Elkhart, Indiana with the serial # & left a request on their answering machine for any info they could give me on it....imagine my pleasant surprise a few days later when my phone call was returned by none other than the *President* of the Larilee Corp....Mr. Larry Lee Linton (yes, I think it was either his Dad or Grandad that decided to name the instrument line-up after him!!!) How cool is *that*??? Anyway, "Mr. LarryLee" was very kind & helpful & of course knowledgeable about his company's instruments; and he invited me to send the oboe to him & the repair dept. to take a look at & see how it has held up over the years & also if it needs any 'TLC", etc. I'm looking forward to getting it back & trying it out.....BTW I only paid $664.00 for it......the same model is worth $3,000 and/or more today!!! I've always had good experiences with Larilee oboes in playing alongside them as a flutist & clarinetist; now I hope to actually be playing one soon!!! Hope this helps a little...I recommend them, especially as to their quality & affordability.

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