Buying an Oboe
Information about possible brands, models, and materials important to know when buying an oboe.
Buying an Oboe
Oboes are generally more expensive than clarinets, flutes, or saxophones. It is still possible to buy a professional clarinet for less than a good quality student oboe. Professional quality used instruments can be as good or better than lower quality new instruments. However oboes can, with consistent use, be “blown out” at around 10 years old, so better to buy used instruments no more than 5 years old.
New and used instruments can be found for sale from double reed shops, oboe dealers, or other online vendors, even ebay (see the list in resources below). Oboe prices typically range from @$3,000–$8,000 and up. Generally it’s best to purchase the best model and newest instrument financially possible, though sometimes a good quality student model will be sufficient to get through an undergraduate music degree, though not performance.
The cheapest beginner student model oboes, either plastic or wood, are not recommended for purchase. Low quality wooden models, which are comparatively cheap, generally are not great instruments even for beginners because of their poor acoustic design, awkward mechanical action, and the need for special care to avoid cracking. These oboes will also likely need frequent repair and/or adjustment, and they tend to have poor resale value. Low quality oboes, usually plastic, can often be rented from a local music store, which is an acceptable short-term option when just starting out.
When it is time to purchase an oboe, choose several instruments, new or used, from an oboe-specific dealer (likely online) rather than the local general music store. The quality of manufacture is more important than getting a wooden oboe (see “wood versus plastic” below). If possible, try several at once for easier comparison. Make sure there is a trial period, as some Ebay and other online auctions do not always offer this. When trying instruments, it’s best to have a professional oboist present as another set of ears.
Check for any unstable or out of tune notes including F#5 and E5, and C5. New wooden oboes tend to have a “tighter,” smaller tone, which will generally open up as they break in.
Wood Versus Plastic
A well-constructed plastic oboe works much better than a badly manufactured wooden one. Unfortunately, there are several companies that make low quality wooden instruments. If the instrument is made with a high quality resin and has good acoustical properties, it will certainly be a better choice than a cheaply made wooden oboe. The added advantage of plastic is that it won't crack and can be left un-played for several months with no adverse effects. Many oboists own a professional quality plastic instrument or a plastic top joint for playing outdoor.
Full Conservatory Key System Versus Modified Conservatory Key System
While a full conservatory key system with left F, split D-ring, third octave key, and all trill keys is preferred, a modified conservatory with at least the left F is adequate, especially for a young player. Oboes with some closed keys can be easier for those with smaller hands to play. If price is an issue, a higher quality oboe with fewer keys is a much better choice than a lower quality instrument with more keys.
Consider acquiring a used professional oboe. Usually these instruments, cheaper than new, will stay in good shape for many years, and retain their value for resale.
Student Oboes (Intermediate Models)
These models are not recommended for oboists pursuing a college degree in music, though some in music education who are without the resources to buy a professional instrument may be able to get by with these instruments.
These recommended models have a modified French conservatory, semi-automatic, key system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboe#Conservatoire_oboe) with some closed keys and a left F unless specified.
Fox:
► 333 (plastic. Beginner model)
► 330 (plastic. Adds third octave and Bb3 vent)
► 335 (wooden. Like the 330)
Yamaha:
► 241 (plastic. Beginner model. No left F)
► 441 (wooden)
► 441P (wooden with plastic top)
► 441M (wooden with plastic lining)
Howarth:
► Howarth Junior oboe (wooden. Beginner model. Simplified conservatory keywork: no left F or left Eb or B3)
► S20C+3 (wooden, modified conservatory keywork, forked F resonance key. Plastic lining available)
► S40C+3 (wooden. Almost full conservatory key work. Plastic lining available)
► S50C+3 (Grenadilla. Advanced student model. Plastic lining available)
Marigaux:
► Strasser 101 (key work for small hands. Beginner model. Simplified conservatory keywork)
► Strasser 801 (wooden. Almost full conservatory key system.)
Rigoutat:
► Delphine (wooden. Key work for small hands. Beginner model. Simplified conservatory key system.)
► Riec (wooden. Full conservatory)
For the serious young student, it makes sense to buy at least the next model up from a beginner model for the more complete keywork and better acoustic design. Should they decide to major in music in college, then upgrade to a Lorée (or comparable professional model). It is acceptable, however, for an oboist to pursue any music degree in college except a performance degree using an advanced student model, but by this stage, he/she may have outgrown its tonal limitations.
Professional Oboes
All instruments below are made from wood, usually grenadilla (http://www.darajamusicinitiative.org/clarinets-for-conservation.html) unless specified.
All instruments below have a full French conservatory, semi-automatic, key system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboe#Conservatoire_oboe), but models may have some key differences including a Philadelphia high D, (http://www.oboesforidgets.com/glossary.htm), and other alternate keys.
Several of these instruments also have a lined top joint designed to deter cracking.
Lorée:
► AK (plastic top joint also available)
► Standard (plastic top joint also available)
►Etoile (different bore meant to be freer blowing than the standard bores)
► Royal in AK or Standard bore (plastic top joint also available)
Laubin (bore is lined to help prevent cracking. Long waiting list for a new instrument)
Fox:
► 300 (full conservatory, plastic)
► 400 (full conservatory, grenadilla)
► 450 (full conservatory, plastic top joint)
► Fox Laubin oboe (Fox manufacture with Laubin finishing)
►Sayen 880 model (darker sound. Some gold key work)
Yamaha:
► 831 (European style bore)
► 841 (Open bore configuration to match American style reeds)
► 841L (lined)
Howarth:
► XL+3 (grenadilla or cocobolo wood. Plastic lining available. Thick walls, large bore,)
► XM+3 (grenadilla or cocobolo wood. Plastic lining available. Thinner walls and smaller bore than the XL)
► LXV (grenadilla or cocobolo wood. Plastic lining available. Thick walls and small bore)
Marigaux:
► 901 (choice of grenadilla or violet wood)
► 920 (Altu Noir: high density black composite material)
► 2000 (choice of grenadilla, clear composite, or violet wood)
► M2 (choice of headjoint length (short, medium or long) and grenadilla or composite)
Rigoutat:
► Pro model
Buffet:
Greenline: wood powder and carbon fibers
► Orfeo (greenline. Full conservatory)
► Prestige 3613 (Black wood or greenline. Full conservatory, philadelphia system)
A used professional model can be a good bargain, even for a music major in college, and can start as low as $3000, but generally will be higher in price unless it is quite old. Professional models have good resale value because they are mechanically and acoustically far superior to the cheaper models and therefore stay in good condition far longer.
Oboes more than 10, and certainly more than 20-30 years old may no longer be trustworthy because the mechanisms might be corroded, the metal might be fatigued, the posts might have become loose in the wood or plastic, and the wood bore might have changed shape (which can affect pitch and tone).
Buying or renting an English horn, oboe d'Amore, bass oboe or musette
There are a variety of professional English horns and some student models available for purchase. English horns can also be rented from some double reed stores, though this is generally fairly expensive, and only on a weekly basis. Professional oboists usually own an English horn, as they can often be called to play it, though some tend to specialize in it more than others. Some professionals share instruments.
Oboe d’Amores, bass oboes and musettes can be sometimes rented from double reed stores, but more likely need to be rented from professionals that own them. It may take some time to find an available instrument.
Instruments with a plastic top joint (and with no chance of cracking) may be a great choice for a school or organization that purchases an instrument to be shared by many players and/or that is played outdoors.
English Horn
All instruments below have a full French conservatory, semi-automatic, key system unless specified. As with the oboe, student models do not always have a full conservatory key system.
Loree
Options include: Gold-plated keys, Synthetic material (top joint only),
Removable extension to play both B3 and Bb3
Laubin
Only available used.
Fox
Student models
555 (Also called Renard. The keywork is not full conservatory)
Professional models
520 (all plastic)
510 (plastic top joint)
500 (grenadilla)
580 Tristan Model (Made of maple wood which is 25% lighter than grenadilla)
Howarth
Student models
S20C (grenadilla. Intermediate)
S40C (grenadilla. Graduate)
Professional models
S5 (grenadilla)
XL (Bore like XL oboe. Grenadilla)
XL (Bore like XL oboe. Cocobolo)
Oboe D’amore
The Oboe d’Amore is only available in professional models.
Loree
Grenadilla
Howarth
XL (Bore like XL oboe. Grenadilla)
XL (Bore like XL oboe. Cocobolo)
Bass Oboe
Very few companies manufacture the bass oboe, and most professionals rent or borrow instruments as they are used so rarely. The bass oboe is only available in professional models.
Loree
Bass oboe n+3 (special order. Optional extension to low Bb)
Mönnig
Bass oboe 190LF
Rigoutat
Hautbois Baryton
Heckelphone
Can only be purchased used.
Musette (Hautbois Piccolo)
The Musette is only available in professional models.
Loree (in F)
V+3
Marigaux (in Eb)
904 (classic or baroque bell)
Fratelli Patricola (in Eb)
PT.M1
RESOURCES
Where to buy new and used Oboes
•Altered Key Systems
Christopher Redgate oboe (Howarth)
This instrument alters and adds new keys for faster and easier technique.
•Oboes for Young Children
These instruments are designed to be played by young children, made for smaller hands with fewer keys.
•New Materials Used to Make Oboes
Clear plastic oboe Sold by Marigaux (scroll to bottom)
Violet wood oboe Sold by several makers including Loree and Marigaux. Other unique looking woods can also be found.