Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-03-29 04:35
I think you'd probably be better off with an S20 if you don't really see the need to go for an all out pro model (but want a definite step-up model from a beginner oboe) as they have nearly all the features of an S2 but have the advantage of covered fingerplates throughout unlike the S2 which had as many as four open holes (ring keys for RH1, RH3 and LH 2 and an open hole for LH3). S20s don't have the LH F key, articulated low C# or 3rd 8ve as S2s often had (depending on age).
The Yamaha 200 series while being a basic dual system oboe isn't really all that far removed from a B&H Regent in terms of where it sits in the hierarchy - it is a better oboe, but still a basic beginner model. Plastic Bundy oboes made for the UK market are made as pure thumbplate system, but not made particularly well and like the Yamaha, may or may not have a forked F vent which all oboes should be equipped with to allow you to play forked F without having to open the Eb key.
The following oboes that are usually found for sale in the UK all have the same basic thumbplate system keywork (simple 8ve keys, LH C-D trill, low Bb, may or may not have a forked F vent or low B-C link):
Wooden body:
- Howarth S10/S10B (made in Worthing - same bore and joint diameters as the S20, S20c and S40c)
- Howarth B (Italian import - both made as ring key and covered action - has bore reamed with Howarth reamers)
- Ward & Winterbourn TW1 (pretty much a wooden version of a B&H Regent)
- Orsi, Rampone & Cazzani, Prestini, Grassi, etc. (Italian - ring keys)
- Buisson, Lafleur, Evette, Maestro, etc. (Italian imports - ring keys)
- Selmer (London) Gold Seal, Sterling and Console (Italian imports again - ring keys)
- Bundy/Selmer USA (UK spec, covered action with perforated fingerplates - best avoided as the joints are usually warped)
- Artia/Corton/Lignatone (Czech - based on the Italian ring key design but poorly made)
Wood with plastic lined top and lower joint bores:
- Buffet/Schreiber (made by Schreiber in Germany, covered action with perforated fingerplates - weak middle sockets on some)
Plastic body:
- B&H Regent/Rudall-Carte Romilly Model A (ring keys)
- Bundy/Selmer USA Resonite (UK spec - better than the wooden ones as the joints are straight)
- B&H "78" (same instrument as a UK spec Bundy/Selmer USA Resonite)
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-03-29 13:26)
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