Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-10-19 15:46
Just to clear anything up - the current XL is built with full Gillet conservatoire system (plateaux keys) as standard, and when referring to an XL nowadays it's automatically assumed it's of this system.
However, when the XL was first introduced in the late '80s it could be ordered as an open hole thumbplate system (S2), an open hole conservatoire system (S3) and the Gillet conservatoire system (S5) - though since pretty much all of Howarth's output is conservatoire system (S20c, S40c, S45c, S55c, S5 and XL) and the majority of players now play on dual or conservatoire system, the S2 and S3 (and their XL versions) are very rarely made, if at all - and can still be made to special order.
Since I've been with Howarth (exactly 8 years to this day), I've only seen three new S2 oboes made, and only one new S3 which I finished for a local player.
The only pure thumbplate system instruments Howarth make are primarily for the UK market (as most teachers have learnt on thumbplate system here) - these are the basic thumbplate system S10 (oboe only) and the intermediate S20 oboe and cor.
As all pro oboe makers worldwide make conservatoire system oboes as standard, this has set the trend here in the UK as well, and the UK players can have thumbplates added to these so it means players brought up on pure thumbplate system can make the transition to a full Gillet conservatoire system oboe of their choice (be it a Howarth XL or S5, Marigaux, Loree, Puchner, Buffet, Rigoutat, Fosatti, Dupin, Bulgheroni, Springer, Covey, Fox, Yamaha, and all others I've not listed), and by having a thumbplate added (and a repositioned 3rd 8ve key) they can still use the thumbplate fingerings for Bb and C.
Though we do have many players in the UK that have learnt on pure conservatoire system and now play on full Gillet system oboes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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