Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2009-09-13 06:40
Dear hautboy,
I have just received, after a three year wait, my new Hiniker oboe made of Snakewood. The Snakewood was aged for circa 20 years before being
turned. The wood was stabilized in the same manner that the makers of high end pool cues stabilize Snakewood. Goldplated keys, with 3rd octave, Philadelphia high D, and a left long C# in addition to left F.
This Snakewood oboe is a work of art of the highest order, and visually has the most exquisitely beautiful wood I have ever encountered in an oboe instrument. However, the playing characteristics of this oboe have exceeded my wildest expectations. The Snakewood is heavier than African Blackwood. I find this oboe has a "density" to the core of the sound I have not come across in any other oboe. When I play staccato (such as Scala da Seta) every note comes out perfectly formed/fully developed- no "chipped" notes at all. Tom says that he likes this Snakewood oboe ever better than his own personal oboe- and his own oboe is an amazing instrument in its own right, one of my favorite oboes ever. I believe that Tom has enough of the Snakewood remaining to make perhaps another 3-4 oboes.
Tom's recently acquired aged Cocobolo wood is truly a great find.
However, Tom can now make an oboe of many different exotic woods, such as: Snakewood, Brazilian Rosewood, Honduran Rosewood,
Madagascar Rosewood, a.k.a. "Palissander," Violetwood, Pink Ivory, Cocobolo, African Blackwood. Tom also is beginning to make oboes of clear Acrylic.
Tom is also installing a half length polymer sleeve in the upper joint of all of his wooden oboes.
Oboes.us
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