Author: Hotboy
Date: 2018-06-20 20:39
Teresa, I recommend that you consider buying through The Oboe Fairy (http://www.hannahsoboes.com). Hannah carries new and used instruments, including the Fox, Yamaha, and Howarth you are looking at, and possibly the Delphine.
I have had many private students buy from Hannah with success, and I think that her trial process is what you're looking for. She will email you a list of instruments in your price range, then you select 4 instruments from the list. She will ship you the 4 instruments for trial, you select the one you prefer, and ship the other 3 back. That way, you can try head-to-head the instruments you are interested in.
For darker tone, I recommend the Yamaha, Fox, and Howarth. I also recommend that you select an all-plastic instrument, or one that has a plastic top joint...the tone is excellent and you avoid the maintenance and potential repair issues that are associated with an all-wood instrument.
My other recommendation is that you consider a modified conservatory model like the Fox Renard 330 and Howarth Howarth S40C. They both have the low articulated C# but are only missing the split ring, which won't be necessary for your use. A modified conservatory model will be less expensive than full conservatory, which would allow you to purchase a newer instrument. However, I recommend that you avoid the Yamaha modified conservatory instruments because they don't come with the low articulated C#, which I consider to be a critical feature.
Based on your description of your goals, you probably won't need a 3rd octave key, so don't base your purchase decision on whether the instrument you select has one.
I also recommend that you buy an instrument that is less than 10 years old...you will find that they are virtually indistinguishable from new, and your money will go farther.
Dane
Bay Area, California
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