 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-11-12 00:19
At the NCMEA conference this afternoon, I came across a new student oboe brand -- Eastman. From the Eastman Music Company, which used to primarily make stringed instruments. They bought the Haynes flute company, and are now making those, plus a student line of flute. They have very recently introduced a new oboe.
It is made of hard rubber, and comes with full conservatory keywork. Retails at $2,700. The keywork feels really good, and the tone is quite nice. My only reservations were about the quality of the build -- how solid is it? (I had a little bit of trouble getting the two main pieces together smoothly, and there was something wonky about the mid-C. Maybe an adjustment issue, but why would they be presenting for demo an instrument that is out of adjustment?)
Has anyone else seen these? Opinions? If it is a sturdy instrument, it might be a good choice for an "outdoor" oboe.
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMarzluf
Date: 2012-11-12 16:25
Susan,
It is my understanding that the "Eastman Music Company" is located in China, and is VERY NEW to the making of anything other than beginning string instruments. I will be very interested to see the results of their recent acquisition of the Haynes Flute Co. I have never seen one of their oboes. It's possible, I suppose, that the oboe you describe could be marvelous, and that the "C" issue is a fixable anomaly. But, given my personal experience with Chinese music dealers, as well as the shared experiences of many others whom I know, I doubt it.
Why not spend your $2,700 on a Fox oboe? If you're looking for a synthetic "outdoor" instrument, these are the best around (for tone, scale, durability, etc.) and very reputable. Good luck!
Jonathan
Jonathan
http://www.marzlufreeds.com/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-12 17:30
A used plastic Selmer Signet Soloist (104) will make a decent all-weather oboe without breaking the bank and they're full Gillet conservatoire system.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-11-12 21:12
Thanks, guys. I'm not actually in the market for an oboe right now -- except maybe for a really, really, really good professional oboe that would be a touch less problematic than my aging Covey Classic. (Or, maybe I just need to put on my big girl pants and realize that ALL oboes have their problematic moments. When my Covey is good, it is very, very good. But it goes through these . . . spells, or something. I think it has Seasonal Affective Disorder.)![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
At any rate, I just happened across this Eastman oboe yesterday, and gave it a whirl. I thought it would be awful, but it wasn't. Tone and scale was really pretty good, until I hit the upper l.h. issues. And I'd never heard of it before. So I thought I'd ask.
How long has Eastman owned Haynes? What was their reputation as a string maker?
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-11-13 04:46
Eastman has been making Flutes for a few years now. They opened up the Amadeus Line of flutes, that a Chinese made body, with a Haynes Headjoint, and adjusted at a US factory. They're actually really nice flutes, I played one next to a Altus, and liked the Amadeus more. It's not as good as their Haynes Q models, but they're a great intermittent model.
I've also played a couple of Eastman violins and violas. They were all great as well. The college where I was teaching bought a few for the majors to use while they were there, and I would sometimes borrow them for gigs. I played a few gigs on viola alongside some of the area symphony players, and blended extremely well.
If you look up when Amadeus started making flutes, that should tell you when they acquired Haynes.
Ron
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2012-11-13 20:00
The "Acolyte" model of the Armstrong-Ward oboe (polymer body, has full professional key-work) is a first class "outdoor oboe." About $2700-$3200
I believe... Key-work (made in Korea) is durable, well designed and beautifully crafted. The scale and voicing is first class. it is nearly impossible to discern that the "Acolyte" model is not all wood.
Oboes.us
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-11-13 23:58
Peter, I spoke with Martin Lee of K.Ge Reeds at IDRS, who originally sold the A-W oboes (it was nice after all this time in the US to speak with a stranger with the same accent as me, I must say!) They are now selling them under their own banner, as K.Ge branded oboes. I believe there are three (?) models. I tried the polymer oboe you described, and for the price, I was suitably impressed. I can't speak much for construction, except that it felt sturdy under the fingers, but the tuning and response was surprisingly good. If you wanted to buy new plastic but couldn't afford the Fox, it would be on my list.
Rachel
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
