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The RS Berkeley OB400 Elite Series Oboe allows all players to maximize their playing ability and improve their clarity, intonation and sound while using the finest material at affordable prices.
A perfect solo Oboe with rich timbre, the Muslady has a bright and penetrating voice. Made of Black Bakelite with Silver Plated Keys, it is commonly used in concert bands, orchestras & film music.
Yinfente Brand Oboes are very high quality Woodwind instruments. Yinfente is a popular brand of Woodwind instrument with many years of experience in the industry and coming in at a reasonable Price.
This C key oboe with bakelite body, silver plated keys & solid rod system consists of user-friendly reed, 2 section body and bell. Its comfort & workmanship make it a perfect solo or orchestral Oboe.
The Glory Oboe is a standard oboe suitable for beginning students. The construction material is so far unique in that the tool is made from hard plastic making it cheaper than many of its competitors.
Oboes Overview
The Oboe is a woodwind instrument of the double reed variety. It looks very much like a Clarinet but sounds very different. It's sound is one of the most magnificent of all instruments but finding that sound is not easy. In fact, the Oboe is considered one of the most difficult instruments there is to play.
It's sound is produced by blowing air through the double reed at the upper end of the instrument. This forces the two reeds to vibrate together which produces the sound but also makes breath support and breath control more difficult. Once the Oboist can master this, it is well worth it.
The Oboe has four parts: the bell, lower joint, upper joint, and the reed. The bottom end of the instrument is the bell and can come in all shapes and sizes. The upper and lower joints run the length of the Oboe connecting the mouthpiece to the bell. They are punctuated by tone keys that control a system of rods that lines the Oboe and each time a key is pressed, a rod turns and covers or opens up a tone hole resulting in its sound. Finally, the Mouthpiece comes in different varieties and can be made of metal, resin, or hardened rubber. It is a double reed and is where the sound is generated.
There are many things to consider when purchasing your Oboe. This comparison will help to make that decision easier.
Types of Oboes
As with all instruments, Oboes come in different varieties and price ranges and have different strengths suited for different types of players. Traditionally they were only made of wood but the introduction of Plastic Oboes has developed over the years as well.
Wooden Oboes are traditionally made of Grenadilla wood due to its resiliancy and durability. Oboes made of other woods can crack easier and don't hold up over time as well. The Wooden Oboe produces good sound and projection but does require a break-in period to achieve ultimate performance.
Plastic Oboes are made of high-quality resin and are more resiliant than the wooden oboe and stand up to environmental conditions better as well. The sound quality tends to be inferior to wooden Oboes but they are more cost effective.
Student Oboes
These are the beginner models and can come in both Wood or plastic. They lack some of the features of higher end Oboes but provide everything a beginner player should need to get comfortable with the instrument. They fall in the $1000-$1500 range but it may be a better idea to rent in the short term. If the player decides to pursue the instrument further, they will likely want to upgrade so renting at this stage is recommended.
Intermediate Oboes
These Oboes are for those who have transitioned beyond the beginner stage. They also come in Wood or plastic options but possess more functions and auxiliary keys than beginner models. They range anywhere from $1800-$3500 depending if you're buying new or used but we recommend buying new as they last longer and sound better.
Professional Oboes
The Oboes are the best of the best and designed for the best players who have fully pursued the instrument. They have all of the features and keys that the others do not, making them suitable for Orchestras and Symphonies. They are made of high-quality wood to produced the best sound but also are the most expesive of the options. They can go anywhere from $5000-$10,000 and, as the name suggests, are made for players who have mastered the instrument and are playing professionally.