oboe advice

[doctormom]

My son is currently playing a "loaner" Selmer oboe (incomplete conservatory). It is a rent-to-own used one. As a non-oboe player, I don't think much of it. What do people think of a Yamaha 441A or a Fox Protege? How important are the complete conservatories in a beginner/intermed student? Whatever we buy will have to get him thru High School (he's got several brothers and sisters) thanks.

[danarsenault]

Others will chime in, but IMHO, the Buffet 4052 is the bottom end of useful oboes, even though it is more than $2k. The Yamaha is the best of the plastic student oboes, IMHO. Full conservastory is important if a player will continue, but modified is OK in student instruments, and not that much harder to deal with. Left F is critical to me.

[Chris Peryagh]

If you can stretch to a Rigoutat Riec, Cabart, Howarth S40c/S45c then they'd probably be much better in the long run as they have more advanced keywork (being nearly full Gillet conservatoire, but minus the D#-E trill) than the Yamaha 400 series.

I wouldn't bother with the student model Buffets (the only decent Buffets are the French-built pro level ones), all the student ones are made by Schreiber and have a pretty weak and thin tone.

[woodwindNYC]

I think we'd be better able to help you if we had an idea of your budget...if your ONLY options are the Fox and the Yamaha, without question, I would recommend the Fox.

However, if you are able to stretch your budget a bit, I am very much with Chris, in that you need to get him the best oboe you can possibly afford. In addition to his list, I HIGHLY recommend that you consider the Fossati Tiery. Absolutely one of the most killer oboes in the intermediate category, and it is a full conservatory system, including 3rd octave key.

You absolutely MUST have a left-hand F, at least. If you are on a tight budget, look at the Fox 330.

Best of luck!

[Chris Peryagh]

Oh yeah, the Fossati Tiery - I keep forgetting they do these!

Don't go for a Linton or Selmer - as you've already realised with the Selmer, they're not worth it. And definitely steer well clear of the Chinese oboes that people seem to rave about (going by the name 'Barrington' - they're cheap and nasty Cabart copies), yet the same people slate the clarinets from the same factory for some inconsistantly strange reason - they're all absolute cack.

[sylvangale]

The Barringtons do sound quite nice. My bandmate switches between his old Loree and a Barrington and his sound is incredibly beautiful on the Barrington (AND much more in tune).

Good things can come from out from Asian countries, for instance:
Jupiter Dimedici (Taiwan)
Yamaha (Indonesia)
Altus Azumi (Taiwan)
Powell Sonare (China)
Miyazawa Lyric (Either China or Taiwan)
Burkhart Global (Either China or Taiwan)

It's all engineering and quality control.

Regards,
Stephen

[Chris Peryagh]

It's all engineering and quality control.

And definitely a good reason to steer clear from Barrington oboes as these things lack both of those qualities.

In abundance.