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Re: Need recommendation

Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-08-07 09:23

As you play a B&H Regent, I assume you'll be looking for a thumbplate or dual system oboe - so your best bet is to look for a used one in the UK.

The Italian-built Howarth B models generally fetch around the £400 mark in used condition and these are basic thumbplate systems with the same keywork configuration as the Regent, either with ring keys or covered action.

If you can stretch to it, look for a used Howarth S10/S10B which also have the same keywork configuration as the Regent but with covered action, and these have the same body joints and bore as the S20 and S40 oboes.

If you plan on getting a conservatoire system oboe, you will have to change your technique as Bb and C are played by closing RH1 (Bb xxo|xoo C xoo|xoo) instead of taking the thumb off the thumbplate, or you can find a woodwind specialist that can make and fit a thumbplate for you to make it dual system (both thumbplate and conservatoire fingerings can be used).

I used to have a Regent when I was at school and that gurgled like anything in the lower register, so I was glad when it fell over and snapped in half as I no longer had to play it. Several years later it was an eye-opener when I tried a Marigaux as I realised the problems lay with the Regent as this Marigaux played so easily. So with that, I took it up again and got used to playing using conservatoire fingerings due to the fuller sond they produce (but still use the thumbplate fingerings for arpeggios and tremolos) by taking the thumbplate off for a while.

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

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