 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: elljay
Date: 2020-11-25 01:24
I have wanted to learn the oboe for decades now, but it never was the right time. I'm now ready, but the pandemic prevents me from taking lessons, so I will start out by teaching myself. I played flute seriously for a number of years so have a good idea of how to start out - that is, after I buy an oboe. I've done a lot of research and know that I should buy a quality oboe from a reputable source. However, since I don't play yet and can't test an instrument, it doesn't seem like a good idea to spend 3-4k on an instrument based on brand name alone.
I was thinking that I would start out on a cheap oboe just to learn fingering and start with scales and drills, and all the other beginning stuff (like seeing whether I actually will play, or if I ignore it like all my exercise equipment). Then, once the pandemic ended, I would tale lessons and buy a good intermediate instrument with the advice of my instructor. Does this seem like a good plan? If so, is this an appropriate case for buying a cheap Chinese oboe that I will dump when the pandemic is over and I can start to really study?
ljmintz
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Author: MagicReed
Date: 2020-11-25 18:54
Congratulations for deciding to plunge into this new pursuit. It will be hard, but I think you will find that oboe will bring you great satisfaction. I do not recommend buying any inexpensive instrument. You will probably outgrow your first oboe quickly. so resale value will be important. A used Fox 300 or 330 post 2000 would be an excellent option for you. They are durable, and should retain their value if purchased use. Make sure there are no cracks. I don't have any, but go to a reputable dealer who has one already serviced. You will do better than buying it on a marketplace platform. Good luck. Kathy www.MagicReed.com
Kathy Sheinhouse
Magic Reed
914-630-4006
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Author: oboist2
Date: 2020-11-26 00:33
Do NOT buy a cheap Chinese, or any other cheap new oboe. You will regret it, and the resale value is very low. You would easily become discouraged if you went down that route. There are good second hand instruments out there and a variety of sources you could find one. If you decide, after some time, that it is not for you, you have a better chance of selling the instrument for your purchase price or more, and you have the best chance of success learning and playing on a reasonable and functional instrument.
Geoff Pearce ( Oboe Sydney Australia)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-11-26 12:23
There is no such thing as a 'cheap oboe' - even buying what seems to be a 'cheap oboe' will cost you in the long term and not just in a monetary sense.
Initial outlay on a decent used student model oboe from a reputable maker and one that's in fully serviced condition from an oboe specialist may seem steep, but you will be safe in the knowledge you've invested well and have an instrument that will last you for many years instead of a few months and won't cause you any frustration (reeds aside).
If buying privately from eBay or classified ads, then that's a gamble and the 'recently serviced' or 'fully overhauled' thing should be taken with a massive pinch of salt as some that state that are completely unplayable even if they have been poorly overhauled.
Always get the best quality instrument you can from the outset as learning on a duffer will only put you off.
Where are you located? Find out what specialist oboe teachers are in your area and see what they recommend as a good beginner or intermediate model and also see what's available.
If you have a list of makes/models to choose from that are available, then let us know what they are (don't post the link as the rules forbid that), their approximate age, condition and the cost and we'll help you decide which sounds most suitable.
Chinese oboes are a can of worms and when they go wrong, few repairers will want to work on them as they often have far more underlying problems than the ones that surface and going in to fixing one problem could uncover loads more.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Hotboy
Date: 2020-11-28 00:40
Agree with the previous posters. Do NOT buy a Chinese instrument. They are poorly manufactured, have pitch problems, and be impossible to adjust.
I recommend that you buy a used student model...the following are some examples of models and common prices:
- Yamaha YOB 241 or 211 - Under $1,000
- Bundy - Under $500
- Selmer student model - Under $500
I also recommend that you do NOT buy a wood oboe. In your price range, a wood oboe will be either very very old or possibly cracked and could involve expensive repairs.
Check out available instruments online on Reverb.com, eBay, and even Guitar Center.
Dane
Bay Area, California
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Author: oboist2
Date: 2020-11-29 00:59
There are two good oboe makers in China - One is Armstrong-Werth, and the other is KGe, but both these manufacturers produce very good instruments at a substantially higher price than those oboe shaped instruments one usually associates with the cheap oboes mad in China. The price though is still considerably lower than most instruments produced elsewhere.
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Author: SparkleSteffie
Date: 2020-12-03 15:49
My first piece of advice may be controversial: buy a 100% resin (plastic) oboe!!
For one, it's incredibly difficult to service a wooden oboe that is old and cheap -especially if you don't have an oboe specialist in the area, and are relying on the general woodwind repair person at the local music store. It's also difficult to ascertain if an oboe has a crack just from pictures, even for someone who is a serious player. And if you do luck out and get a decent wood oboe, it will be VERY easy as an amateur to accidentally crack it.
The two most prolific reputable cheap brands are Selmer and Bundy. If you stick to resin, the quality should be pretty consistent no matter where you purchase from (e.g. ebay vs a reputable dealer), making the decision somewhat idiot proof. You can expect to purchase from a private party for around $300, plus $150-$300 to service the instrument (depending on your area). A reputable dealer should sell a fully serviced instrument for under $500. The good news is that the oboe won't depreciate noticeably- you'll be able to resell it for around $300 or more. The bad news is that if you decide to keep up with oboe, you'll HAVE to sell it, because you'll outgrow this instrument in under two years.
My second recommendation is pretty standard advice for beginners, especially those that live in cold climates: purchase a used Fox oboe.
Remember to stick to 100% resin. Be on the look out for Fox's Renard line of instruments - this is their robust student line, and thus cheaper. If you don't purchase from a reputable music dealer, be prepared to pay that same $300 or so on servicing. You should be able to find an instrument for anywhere from $2000-$3500, depending on age, condition, and model. Fox's model numbers rarely change, so you can check their website to see if the oboe you are looking at is a student or professional model.
Fox oboes are one of the only brands that have an excellent sound in their resin line. This, combined with the fact that resin oboes are impossible to destroy, means that they are plentiful, and you shouldn't having a problem finding a Fox for sale.
They are also instruments that are suitable for serious amateurs. As long as you don't decide to become a professional oboist, you won't have to upgrade a Fox instrument. I played on mine all through college at a small private school, because as a non-major I couldn't afford the $6k+ to upgrade my instrument. And yes, a used grenadilla Loree would have sounded much better- but my Fox still sounded lovely in that environment, with a sweet and even tone. To further prove my point, I also have a professional musician friend who doubles on oboe, and for cost reasons he ended up purchasing a Fox Professional 300. Lastly, it's damned difficult to find a Fox oboe without Left F and Low Bb keys, making the purchase process idiot proof even for someone who doesn't really know what they're doing.
Cost wise, whether you sell the oboe tomorrow or ten years from now, it should retain value extremely well. I bought my used Fox Renard 330 over 20 years ago for $1500. I could sell it for the same price today, if not a teensy bit more. Either way you win - you'll make up most of your purchase price if you don't end up sticking with it. And if you stick with it and decide to upgrade to a wood instrument, the sale price of your Fox will make a nice down payment.
Hope this helps! Please keep us posted and let us know what oboe you decide to purchase.
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