 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: TC
Date: 2018-06-20 12:31
Hello,
I was wondering if everyone could please give me their opinion on which model oboe I should pucharse? I am from nz and it is very difficult to try any oboes here, so I am choosing amd ordering blind through reputable overseas sellers only.
I am a beginning adult oboe student. I have been playing the oboe for only 6 months, and have been playing on a Yamaha 211 student oboe. I am about grade three level, as I have played piano amd saxophone previously, so reading music etc is easy...it’s just the oboe that’s hard. :-)
I have about $5000 nz dollars to spend, and have researched possible options as below;
NEW: Delphine, cabart 74 ( at a financial stretch)
USED: Fox 300, Yamaha 411, Howarth ?
I am most likely never going to grow beyond playing in various community bands, however, tone is very important to me and I would like a nice mellow sound. No quacking ducks please! I will probably only ever buy the one oboe so would like to get the best that I can for me.
I would greatly appreciate people’s advice and insights.
Thank you very much
Teresa.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-06-20 16:38
I'd recommend you go for a used Howarth S45c or if you don't want as much keywork, an S25c if you can find one as they weren't made for long - they both have the wide diameter joints, so will have far more depth of tone compared to the Yamaha 411.
Whereabouts are you?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
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
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboist2
Date: 2018-06-21 02:13
Teresa, good luck on your quest. There are a lot of options. For my money, and from experience, I would be tempted to look seriously at a Fossati Tiery or perhaps a Howarth S40C. As you are in NZ, it would be worth contacting Richard Craig Woodwind, across the ditch in Adelaide, as he has good new and second hand oboes, and he and his wife Celia ( a superb oboist) will not see you wrong...http://richardcraig.com.au. if you don't already have a teacher, you would find it very helpful. I used to teach in Christchurch but moved back to Australia, but there are many good teachers out there. As far as "quackers" are concerned. That is more a problem with the player or the reeds or both, rather than the instrument. Another thing you could look at is an oboe by Armstrong-Werth. John Armstrong lives and manufactures oboes in China, but unlike most Chinese instruments, these are good, and relatively inexpensive. A link to their basic site is . http://www.aw-oboe.com.au All the very best in your search. Geoff Pearce
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cacisnd
Date: 2018-06-26 06:59
If you opt to go on to an online auction site. Ask the seller the following questions/
Is the OBOE made out of solid wood and are there any cracks or chips>
Are there any repairs to the oboe including crack repairs
Also you should set aside some $$ for repadding and adjustment. If you are mechanically apt you can do it yourself. I did - you can find basically all you will need online in the way of supplies and as for oboe adjustment don't be afraid when people say it is too complicated - there is a fine person that has a 6 part video on the regulation of the oboe on youtube just search OBOE ADJUSTMENT it really helped me understand my very expensive whistle.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-06-26 13:50
If you are buying used from any auction site or classified ad, take the bit that says 'recently serviced' with a massive pinch of salt as more often than not they haven't been or only wiped over with an oily rag by a friend of a friend's dad who dabbles in some half-arsed woodwind bodging at best as they play some flute or clarinet as a hobby.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TC
Date: 2018-06-27 01:16
Hello Dane,
Thank you very much (and everyone else!) for your helpful comments. I have been in touch with Hannah and now my 'local' dealer (I am in New Zealand). I will be trying a Howarth s40c this weekend and will update how I get on.
I would prefer new if possible as second hand can come with many issues on occasion. If I could try personally it would be different, but there are not many oboes around here.
How does everyone feel about the plastic vs wood? I can not try any plastic ones here, and would have to special order one in from Hannah, which is obviously difficult to return if I didn't like it.
Any way... I'll try the Howarth and let you all know.
Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboist2
Date: 2018-06-27 02:13
Generally, I prefer wooden instruments, but there are some very good plastic ones too, but they come at a price. It really depends if you are doing a lot of playing outdoors. If you are, then plastic is probably the best way to go. I wont play my wooden instruments outside. If you get the Howarth, you won't need another instrument as the S40C has everything you need on it. One of my students has one and it is a fine instrument. All the very best.
Geoff
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hotboy
Date: 2018-06-27 09:44
Teresa, I cannot stress enough how buying a used instrument from Hannah is virtually indistinguishable from new...she has every instrument refurbished so that they play like new and you will have no "issues."
If you deal with Hannah, you can try out both plastic and wood instruments. You will see that there is virtually no difference between the tone and feel of plastic and wood...you may like the plastic even more, as they can be darker and more mellow than wood.
I don't understand your statement "would have to special order one in from Hannah, which is obviously difficult to return if I didn't like it." Is she not offering to ship you four instruments on trial?
Dane
Bay Area, California
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TC
Date: 2018-06-27 10:22
Hi Dane,
I would LOVE to buy from Hannah. Her trial of four instruments would be perfect and definitely be exactly what I need, BUT she won’t do that for overseas clients. Because I am in NZ her shipping policy overseas means I have to pay up front for ONE oboe which she will then ship.
If I don’t like it I can return it but obviously have to pay for shipping back, and I’m not sure how I would get the tax refunded, that I would have to pay on the oboe when it arrives in New Zealand.
I really really would like to try a Fox 330, a Howarth s40c with both wood and plastic joint and a cabart 74. I’m sure if I had four to try over a week the decision would be easily made.
I haven’t discounted Hannah yet, but i will try a new Howarth here first. If I’m unsure or would like to try more then I’m not sure what to do.
Thank you for your input. Really appreciated and any more ideas gratefully received.
Regards
Teresa.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hotboy
Date: 2018-06-27 19:33
Teresa, that's too bad about her international policy. I do think that buying an instrument from an auction site is fraught with potential problems...you should plan to spend several hundred to get the instrument into playing shape, and best to buy an instrument under 10 years old.
If you are looking at a Fox, here's a resource that shows the age of instruments based on their serial numbers...Oboes are on page 224: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1149/0916/files/Serial_Number_Dating.pdf
Dane
Bay Area, California
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: saraho
Date: 2018-07-11 02:22
Mine is a Howarth s40c, new one costs about GBP 3500, and a used one is around GBP 2000 (depending on the condition). It's a good instrument, and I think it'd serve you well in community bands and orchestras.
Sara
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-07-11 03:17
Would it be easier for you to get an oboe from Australia?
If so, then contact Richard Craig in Adelaide as he's a Howarth agent/importer and could order an oboe specially for you.
http://richardcraig.com.au/
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TC
Date: 2018-07-11 04:16
hello everyone, Thank you all very much for your help and suggestions!
So an update....
I have talked to Hannah's Oboes (magic oboe Fairy) who has been VERY helpful, and currently she has a Cabart 74 on hold for me for when she returns from her break.
She also helped me find a retailer in NZ who stocks the Howarth S40, so I actually have now managed to have a play on one. To be honest it didn't jump out at me. Certainly nicer than my oboe, but lacked a certain personality to the sound.
I have also talked to Richard Craig, who most definitely can get me a Howarth if I want one. I have also enjoyed listening to Celia on you tube very much!
I also have found a teacher, (not starting till week after next though!) who put me in touch with a Auckland Philharmonic Cor Anglais guy, who stocks some oboes. He let me play on a KGE lan Mei (bit shrill for my taste) and a KGE Pro which was nicer and then a Howarth XM! This was very nice and I'm tempted to buy it as he will give it to me for cost. BUT in my recordings of me playing on all of these instruments I still sound the nicest on the Cabart 74! Go figure.
So I'm still thinking. My new teacher also is selling her Marigaux so I want to try that too before I decide anything.
Funny.... I was starving to try any oboe and now i have had a whole selection! If nothing else, I am beginning to understand the lingo and what I like and don't like.
Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted!
Teresa.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboist2
Date: 2018-07-12 02:52
Some oboes take a little while to reveal their charms. I played on a Rudall carte student oboe when I was young and I could make it sing, even though it was a very basic oboe, when I first got my Loree ( which was my first professional instrument, I was very disappointed and it took me a year playing before I felt that I was getting what I wanted from it. Personalities can be hidden, and sometimes you just have to give it time. A good teacher is the best one to guide you and I am pleased you have found one. All the best in your quest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TC
Date: 2018-07-12 03:01
Thank you, that’s good to know. I’m finding it hard because I seem to have cross advice. On one hand I’m hearing 'you need to play on each and every oboe as they all fit different people differently and you need to match ( kind of like a Hogwarts wand!)' and on the other I’m hearing 'choose one of these they are good.'
If I’m just choosing a 'good'oboe I would be mad to not choose the Howarth xm as for the $ it is probably the best I will get.....
(From my recordings made everyone agrees I sound the best on the cabart though... it is broken in which will make a difference too).
Thanks
Teresa
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hotboy
Date: 2018-07-12 09:54
Teresa, keep in mind that you will need to adjust/optimize your reeds for whatever instrument you end up with. From what you have said, it is likely that your current reeds sound the best with the Cabart, but there are other important considerations.
Scale: which instrument is the most in tune for you, especially in the altissimo register?
Feel: which instrument lets you play loud and soft, high and low, as well as tongue well?
My advice is not to let your recordings be the deciding factor unless you have no ability to adjust reeds. If this is the case, then just buy the Cabart. But if you have the ability to adjust reeds, then buy the instrument that feels the best and pays the best in tune.
Dane
Bay Area, California
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: KJC
Date: 2018-07-13 20:14
Teresa,
My recommendation would be to get the best oboe you can possibly afford. Try as many as you can on trial. Wood oboes are far superior in tone, in my opinion, unless you have Marigaux Altoglass or other really high end resin oboe. If you are taking any lessons with a professional, they could help you pick out the oboe too. Since you are new to oboe, I would recommend this.
I started playing the oboe when I was 10 and played all through high school and played in all state orchestra. I gave up the oboe for many years for financial reasons. When I was first able to purchase an oboe again, I bought a Rigoutat Delphine. This is a lovely intermediate oboe that is almost a full conservatory. It had a wonderful sweet tone. BUT, it did not project like the Loree Royal I now have, and the scale was not quite as even as my new (to me!) Loree. I play in multiple community concert band and chamber groups now and have to play solos quite a bit. You want an oboe to project well during solos.
Having said that, I believe that anyone can make a decent oboe sound lovely and project well enough depending on the reed and the player's embouchure and breath support. The least important variable for tone (at least where it is not a professional very high level player-- Eugene Istov level for example--) is the instrument if it it decent--and there are many decent oboes, Fox, Rigoutat, Loree, Marigaux at your price point. Just don't settle for less if you can possible afford more and you know you love the oboe and will play it for years to come because you'll just end up selling it in a couple of years and might lose some money.
-K
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboist2
Date: 2018-07-14 03:28
You might also like a Fossati Tiery - they are superb instruments. There used to be an agent in Christchurch but they sold the business. Richard Craif of Richard Craig Woodwinds has my old Fossati Professional that is one of the nicest instruments I have ever played. It is within your price range too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
