 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-05 14:14
What exactly is the Prestini system?
I assume it's similar to having a thumbplate, but the thumb key lower down the top joint and pressed for Bb and C instead of released as on a thumblate.
Orsi don't have photos on their site, though they do list one of their oboes as being 'Lorèe system, B left thumb key'.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wkleung
Date: 2006-06-05 16:46
On a Prestini system, the low B is activated by a key on the back of the top joint (for the left thumb), and the usual lever for low B for the l.h. little finger is replaced by a lever for the low C#. The rest is the same as the regular Conservatory oboe.
Wai Kit Leung
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vboboe
Date: 2006-06-06 05:12
... so instead of left pinkie E-flat, B and B-flat, Prestini system is E-flat, C# and B-flat? That gives left C#, bonus!
... must make for a very long rod to low B from the thumb position?
Is it behind the oboe or is it bridged to the left side?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wkleung
Date: 2006-06-06 15:29
I believe the touch for the low B is on the back of the instrument, below the first octave key. The extra C# touch would indeed be useful.
Wai Kit Leung
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-06 15:38
I tried both a cor anglais (a rosewood S5) and an older Marigaux oboe with the LH C# key fitted - definitely a more useful bit of kit than the usual 'banana' key (which is dispensed with when the LH C# key is fitted).
Though it is a big chunky lever key, not a pretty sight - but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in usefullnes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wkleung
Date: 2006-06-06 17:24
I still don't understand why is Heinz Holliger the only oboist who consistently has a left C# on his oboes. On every CD cover Holliger would have a (Rigoutat) oboe with the left C# (fitted to the inside of the long F). How much does it cost to get the left C# fitted, Chris?
Wai Kit Leung
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-06 21:18
If it's good enough for Heinz Holliger...!
I can't find the keywork options/alterations list or the relative prices on their website, the printed catalogues back in the '80s and '90s used to list all the varoius keywork options and alterations done by Howarth, but as so few oboes are ordered with a LH C# I think it's an potion that's only placed and priced up at the time of order.
Though fitting the LH C# mechanism to an existing oboe (of any make) is a slightly more difficult job (though it's not impossible) than fitting one during manufacture, as it probably involves making a new steel for the RH C# key/Eb cluster as a lever is added to the RH C# touch barrel (to link it to the LH C# lever) which has a screw pinning it through the steel, and then removing the banana key and pillars, and filling the holes left in the body, then fitting a new touchpiece to the LH F key (to make room for the LH C# lever) and also fit the new pillars for the LH C# lever and making the LH C# lever itself.
Sorry I can't help with the prices.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-06-08 16:41
Here's a pretty decent photo of the Prestini system thumb low B...
http://www.patricola.com/?s=7&c=3&t=4
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-08 23:55
Aaah I see how it works.
But what a pain that could be - that means three linkages between the top and bottom joints (not including the F#-G# link) instead of just the trill key and conservatoire bar links, and three times the risk of mashing up the key corks during assembly.
I also noticed the low Bb barrel with the key on it (for the cor anglais) - eventually I'll get round to making myself one of these.
Not sure why Patricola don't put their logo on the cor anglais bell where it can be seen. It's hidden right under the resonance key barrel.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
