 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: saxhorn
Date: 2012-10-20 01:21
Do oboes have a "shelf" life?
When would you not buy an older oboe?
I.E 10 years, 20? I'm considering the purchase of an older Loree oboe.
Not quite sure of the age...but i have heard the bore can warp over time!
Is that true? Its selling for $1.000 wondering if its worth the risk
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-20 03:19
I just bought a B series from the 60s I think. I love it. It's actually a little longer than modern Lorees, and thinner in the bore I believe. Before I purchased the instrument, I did have John Symer take a look at it and make sure there were no cracks that couldn't be fixed, and that the bore was true. Everything was fine, and I'm quite happy with the purchase. The instrument I purchased was in exquisite condition, and I've seen some used instruments that were not takes as good care of. I'd do your homework, but there's no need to disregard perfectly usable instruments due to age.
Check out Peter Hurd's site. It's very helpful regarding specific Loree models. http://www.oboes.us/resources/makers.html
Drew S.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-10-20 19:04
The bore CAN warp over time. The instrument's age is not nearly as important as its CONDITION: has it been played? Stored carefully? for how long? etc. As Drew suggests, do your homework before you invest in ANY instrument, no matter how good a deal it seems. Just because it's a Loree doesn't mean it's a quality 'buy'.
Do you have the instrument (on trial) or is it on a website?
I would suggest you contact Peter Hurd IF you have the instrument in front of you or have tried to play it, and have further questions.
GoodWinds
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Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2012-10-21 00:23
I recently sold an exquisite older Loree oboe (KK series, made circa 1918) to my oboe professor friend. She loves this oboe. No cracks, has all the professional model key-work (except no F resonance mechanism- many of the pre-war Loree oboes play fork F just fine due to the bore design). Bore looks as though it were made yesterday, and the bore is straight as can be. This 1918 oboe has lifetimes of music left to play. And it has an "ethereal" sound not to be found in (say) post I series Loree oboes.
I love C series Loree oboes, though my favorite is B series.
I surmise that if Loree were to make a faithful copy of a mid B series oboe now,
they would likely sell out.
Please know- anyone who may have any questions about older Loree oboes should feel free to contact me.
With very best wishes,
Peter Hurd
Oboes.us
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Author: JRC
Date: 2012-10-21 02:13
I do not believe year of manufacture is relevant to the playing condition of an oboe. It is entirely of the condition of the wood. All the rest can be restored, repaired or modified.
I have a strong suspicion that the myth of deteriorating sound quality of an oboe over time was created by manufacturers and their interests to make more money by selling new oboes.
So, take care of the wood and key works. It will last your life time and longer!! Unless of course you are tired of playing the same instrument and have lots of money.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-10-21 06:48
There is no reason an ancient oboe can't be very good. However, Loree seems to have changed the bores and diameters of the body at various times in their history.
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2012-10-22 10:30
I think a lot of what JRC said can indeed be restored, but there is SOME certain silver issues that can not be restored without a master, master, master technician, i.e. one or two in the country. Namely what I'm thinking about is the hinge tubes, and some of the inner tubes that go inside the hinge tubes (Chris can fill in the terminology) particularly on the low B/Bb/Left Eb mechanism, and the C/Db/Eb mechanism. I've seen some of those wear out and require new tubes, which would have to be created by hand. As for the silver, most of it can be re-plated, and therefore restored.
There are also some other details that older instruments need attending to. Sometimes the crown of the tone hole is pitted due to the chipping of the wood, or just the shrinking of the wood, and therefore needs repair. Without repair, a good cork pad sometimes won't cover to full perfection. While most repairmen will just slap a thin coat of shellac over the top and call it good, sometimes this requires an actual insert or microscopic rebuilding of the crown, which on some instruments would require the original or near-original cutters in order to maintain the original acoustic properties.
Anyways, I just write this because there are *some* repairs that need some very specialized work, and since we're talking about old Lorees, and particularly B series was mentioned, the thought of De Lancie models came to mind.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
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Author: Oboelips
Date: 2012-10-22 13:58
Play it, and see. Have some friends do a 'blind listening'. I have one of the ORIGINAL LL series Loree oboes, and it plays fine (made in 1921). It has always been well cared for, though. It is my backup oboe, but for years it was my primary. It DOES have a different sound than many oboes of today, but it is still most definitely an oboe with a fine sound. Some prefer it's sound to my modern Rigoutat. It is full conservatory, with left F, and doesn't have the rings that some older oboes do. Be sure and check for wear in the mechanism. Also, the mechanisms of older oboes can differ from modern ones. I took this oboe with me to an 'adjustment class' by Mr. Laubin at IDRS back in 1993, and he was fascinated by the mechanism. He gave me a few tips on how to adjust THIS one!
Deb
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