Author: joepie
Date: 2015-11-04 00:05
Hi, here's a new update. The latest developments are both bitter and sweet.
I have to start with the bitter news: I sent my oboe to Marigaux, over six weeks ago. And I must say that Marigaux have been the best. I have had very good contact with Anke. But there was a problem. The oboe just never arrived. The courier-registry says that the delivery failed, and it was to be returned to me. But it still hasn't arrived. All of this demise is well documented and I would like to stress the point that Marigaux had no part of the foul up. Anke even called the courier many times to ask where the oboe was. But it's been a while now, and I must assume that my oboe is lost. Next week I'll check with the insurance and hopefully this part will end soon. I hate the thought that some sticky fingers might have picked it up to take ownership, but what can you do?
The part that I regret most is that I still haven't been able to try an Altuglas. I understand now that an altuglas is mostly custom made, and I fear to get stuck with one that is still too hard to play on.
Cross over from bitter to neutral: my oboe was insured, and I have a formal appraisal. So financially this shouldn't become a problem.
Now for the sweet part: I was able to try new a Howarth XM for a week, and it is very free blowing. The wood is stunning. The keys are solid, and it plays like a dream, the scale is much more even than on my Marigaux. The sound is great. It suits me well, though it is very different from Marigaux. Not dark but bright.
I was also able to try a new Loree Etoile. The Etoile sounds beautiful, really beautiful. However it was just a bit less free blowing especially in the upper register, so I opted for the Howarth. I will keep hold of this one for at least a couple of years.
And after a couple of years from now, maybe I will travel to Paris (no more sending oboes) and try an Altuglas firsthand. I came close this time, but will have to postpone and perhaps return to Marigaux altu on another occasion.
Joepie
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