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Re: Top Ten Best Oboes Of 2025?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-06-18 19:12

While the cheapo Chinese clarinets in the other list are mainly 17 key 6 ring Boehm systems, that in itself isn't a problem with most regions as they've become the standard system over most of the world (likewise with flutes, saxes and bassoons), whereas these oboe-shaped objects are often pure conservatoire system (based on Cabart 74 oboes) and in some cases have fully automatic 8ves (which is more popular in Germany and Eastern Europe), so they're not ideal for many beginners here in the UK as oboes are very much regionally specific in terms of their keywork systems.

Therefore any unsuspecting parent buying an OBO as opposed to an oboe going solely on recommendations, reviews and lists like this (as well as some YouTuber oboists who ought to know better) will have wasted money on something that's far from suitable.

Most oboists, oboe teachers and students here in the UK as well as many ex-pats living abroad have a long history of playing and being taught thumbplate system right from the start going back many decades (and at least a century), so they won't always know the best way to approach conservatoire system if they've had no previous experience with it.

Even many dual system players brought up on thumbplate system only use thumbplate fingerings on their dual system pro models (conservatoire with added thumbplate) instead of reaping the benefits of both worlds, plus things neither pure conservatoire nor pure thumbplate system can do.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

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