Well, I'm getting a new oboe, and I've been playing a Yamaha beginner one since 5th grade (I'm now in 8th grade) so I'm wondering what brand is the best so I won't have to buy a new one in 4 years, yesterday I went to double reed day and tried out many, and there was a loree there that I really liked, and it was $6,000...so I was wondering if there are any ones out there as good as the loree but maybe cheaper...I know not to get a Selmer, but that's about it

hmmm, a used loree is your best bet, but however the fox 400 and 800 are great oboes. Avoid patricola, i've have heard only bad reviews. Since your moving up to a professional level stick with genadilla, not rosewood violetwood or cocobolo. If you really want a plastic one get ta loree with a synthetic top joint, there is nearly no difference in the loree plastic and wood, but thats only in a loree. best of luck.

Check out this Patricola:
http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=10&i=5121&t=5117&v=f

Here I posted some articles from the IDRS on the Patricola family:
http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=10&i=4633&t=4632&v=f

I don't play on a Patricola, but I've never read anything bad about them.

kk, I believe we are looking into a Fox 330, is that a good one?

This is how the intermediate resin oboes are usually rated from best to worst:
Fox 330, Fox 333, Selmer 101, Yamaha 410

Then there's the Yamaha 441. It's been redesigned to correct the bore problems of the 410. It could possibly be better than the Fox 330/333 or worse depending on taste, but it is the keywork equvalent to a Fox 333. The Art-C# which is lacking on the Yamaha is used for a low B-C# trill, which is rare (Though I have encountered one once in a Bach Cantata originally meant for oboe d'amore). The Yamaha 441 is however available in wood, which makes a difference to some (usually for the better).

If you aren't afraid of wood you may want to try the Patricola Standard with an oboe teacher and see how it compares:
Patricola Standard (Same keywork as 330, adds 3rd octave)

These two are wood in the same price range, but they lack the G#-A trill mech...
Bulgheroni Standard (3rd octave key listed as "option", may not have)
Buffet 4052 (w/ 3rd octave key)

Here's a diagram of oboe keywork:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030627042208/www.selmer.com/images/oboediag.jpg

Here's a good thread on trills:
http://www.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=10&i=4726&t=4725

ohhhh quite interesting, I have heard the opposite of the patricola review (from highly respected oboists0. Every oboe maker produces not so good oboes ever once in a while, loree happens to a have a lower percent of those. Who knows im might look into a patricola rosewood for a solo oboe.

ok...thanks guys! right now i'm trying out a fox 450 and a fesati (sp?)...

The most economic oboe that would be comparable to the Loree is Fox. I suggest you buy an 800 or a 400.

I would also try MCW and Howarth.....

I got the Fox 450...but now I've finished my month of breaking it in and I'll go to play my instrument and either all you can hear is air going through it or it'll make a really quiet sound and I'll have to blow really hard to make it

My professional teacher and I a professional for many years clarinet ,flute and saxophone and a professional instrument technicion (70 years old)I decided to take the oboe We tried many differen pro. oboes Loree, Covey ,Yamaha, Patricola ,Rigataut. Did the blind fold test on them. She played and I played and the one that had the best and even tone and scale. was the Fox 800. Ive been playing it for about a year now and it is a wonderful instrument . I also comared it with aanother teacher of oboe his is a Loree royal and the Fox sounded just as good as that . I know they are still expensive over $5000. I also bought a beautiful Covey wooden case for it.very happy and loving it .I play in a woodwind quintet and a orchestra and band.

What about Buffet oboes. Are those any good? I saw a good one: a buffet bc 4052 student oboe and it has alot of proffesional features. What's wrong with Selmer or Patricola, or Covey. What oboe brand would you recommend for a sort of beginner intermediate. I play my friends oboe (she has a yamaha) and it plays quite well. I play alto, and am bored of it, and took on flute and clarinet, and and liked both. Then I learned oboe while playing my friends. She's stubborn and won't let me play it anymore, so I am looking to get one of my own. I'm looking for an intermediate oboe, grenadilla wood from a good brand, that plays good and that I can switch to for band. I really want something affordable and that I can make low monthly payments (because I'm still making payments for my alto). Could you help me. Thanks.

Does anyone in here know: What is a "plateau" system? It sometimes comes up in posts and product descriptions, but I never found a picture or explanation. Is it used in the US?

DT

<Added>

Well, geesh: Covered keys = plateau. We can hardly find an open-holed ring system oboe here in the US, but it turned right up in the flute forum when I looked. Apparently, it affects glissando production most.

I have a fox 450 and it has a third octave key.It works great!Fossati,Buffet,Marigaux,Yamaha,and Loree are all really,really good.

My teacher sells oboes so when I go for lessons she always has a different oboe and she really likes Coveys over Lorees because Coveys have a warmer tone and a Loree. That is what she says. I play on a Covey and it is wonderful! It has every bell and whisle on it i.e. thrid octave key, Philadelphia high D key.