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Re: New Player Question

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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