Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2011-10-18 20:00
I have seen some oboes that have been used and abused to the point it is simply not worth spending any money on to try to resurrect.
I have also had oboes (for example, Kreul and BW Chauvet) that, even after four decades of hard, constant institutional use, were completely rebuilt (about $950 each) with grand result. Another four decades of institutional use will be no problem. The Kreul instruments seem to have the toughest alloy key-work of any make I know of.
Just about anything on an oboe instrument can be rebuilt. For example, my local "ace" oboe repairman is especially talented when it comes making new oversize rods. And when the rod has worn the holes through the posts oversize or oval shaped, he will simply weld up the holes, and then bore new holes in all the posts to a very tight tolerance to accept the new oversize rods.
As long as the bore of an oboe is not warped or out of round, installing a plastic (or ever wood) sleeve is always an option to accomplish a repair for extreme cracking, or extreme bore damage (such as the result of using an electric drill with industrial drill bit to drill out a stuck swab- yes, this in fact happens more often than you can imagine). Several top oboe repair specialists can install a sleeve.
Damaged tone holes can be re-faced, or inserted. Key-work can be added.
I have even had an oboe maker/ repairman recycle the keys from a severely cracked top joint of a Chauvet BW oboe, and make an entirely new joint.
About $1200 at the time.
Anecdotal evidence. A few years ago, I had a mid C series oboe.
It had seen extensive/constant use throughout it life- positively not a "closet" instrument. About $2000 was spent on rebuilding this oboe. Everything conceivable was accomplished. The result was sensational and then some. It now belongs to a fourth year Conservatory oboe performance major who plays this C series oboe full time. She can not believe her luck in having this instrument. Her oboe professor has offered to buy this oboe, "name your price." Last year the student studied abroad in London. Her UK professor offered to buy the instrument, "name your price." The student still has the oboe.
I know oboists who do buy a new instrument every few years.
Many reasons I surmise. Sometimes perhaps just a habit, simply easier to get a new one and not deal with repair issues.
A friend of mine, a top freelance player in NYC, still plays the same late A series oboe he had when he was young, though now he switches between the A series and a new Hiniker oboe.
I recently had a CC Loree oboe (c. 1912). Full Conservatory, though no F resonance. Used for sure, though the bore still had a glimmer/hint of the original polish left. No cracks. About $600 or so was spent to re-pad and bring the oboe up to a high standard of playability. The oboe has a BIG, sweet sound, with a most satisfying "ring," resonance, and projection. Though the CC has a thinner wall than [say] a modern Loree oboe, it is for sure not overly "bright" sounding. The oboe now belongs to an amateur who plays it every week in church. He adores the sound. If he ever sells this oboe, it would be a blessing for a serious student. This CC oboe too I expect will be around for many more generations.
Oboes.us
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
