Hey guy. Any reviews on the Yamaha 411/441 and Buffet 4052. Im deciding on which one to buy to start out. I need to take a minor instrument and I have chosen the Oboe. XD I fell in love with the sound. Just lemme know what you guys feel is better. Like cracking issues and such. And the value for money. Is the buffet worth USD2250? Im getting charged that price where I come from. ( out of US )

i have been using a buffet oboe and it seems to work occasionally but then it is old, but i have been told by everyone to get a yamaha, and if you live in a cold place or have frequent tremperature comditions then you should get a plastic, they dont have as good as sound as wood but it wil prevent it from cracking.
hope this helps

Go with the Yamaha. I have played on a few Yamaha's and they are pretty decent student instruments. I don't know anyone who plays on a Buffet and as far as I know, they aren't even an option for most. Yamaha's are pretty solid instruments. They are relatively in tune and great for the beginner. I believe the 441 comes in either all grenadilla or with a plastic lined top joint. I have seen plastic lined top joints cracked, so don't be fooled that they won't crack. As long as you are careful to warm up your oboe, you'll be fine.

The 441 also comes in all plastic. I have one, and I think it is a very nice oboe.

<Added>

The plastic would also make it so it wouldn't crack!

Oboegirl - I thought the 441 came in plastic, but I've never seen one it it. So the 441 comes in all plastic, all grenadilla, or grenadilla top joint with lined bore. The only crack resistant one is all plastic, but all grenadilla would sound better.

The Buffets are plastic lined as well.

sorry contra448 but not all buffet's are plastic lined as the one that i am using currently is wooden

I'm planning on getting a Buffet 4052. Its wooden. I live in a tropical country so no need to worry about the cracking in general.

I'm more worry about whether it'll enable me to complete my ABRSM till grade 8 or further to a diploma.

<Added>

I'm more worried*

If you want to get an oboe that'll get you to a higher level, consider a used professional oboe. Most used professional oboes go for $2500 - $7000. Used Lorees and Marigauxs are nice. I play on a Loree, but I love the sound of Marigaux. If you're buying a used professional oboe I'd highly suggest you get your oboe teacher to look it over, play it, and give their opinion on it. Also, you may want to take it to a repair tech to see how well the key work is.

If you are in the UK you may prefer different brands. Here in North America most people play on Lorees but there are other good professional brands out there. Bulgheroni, Fox, Laubin, and Marigaux have good reviews here.

Well I'm actually from Singapore and there isn't really a used instrument shop that sells oboes.

Mostly they sell used flutes and brasses.

x ( Oboes get neglected in this side of the world .

Is buffet really that obscure a brand? Haha no one seems to have anything said about it yet.

You're correct hoboe I was forgetting about the top of the range model. I only tend to see the lower versions here.

Here it says that the buffet 4052 is a conservatory model. Does that mean it has full conservatory fingering?

I had a 4052, it was absolutely wonderful, (forced to sell it for college) check to see w hich option you buy, some 4052s have the third octave key some dont, they have the fork f, left hand f, and low Bb and resonance key, the bore is lined with luracast to prevent cracking.

You dont have the *i think its called Dilly D trill key* or t he low C# facilitator i think its called (please excuse me its been 2 years and I have not seen or talked about an oboe since)

The 4052 is an intermediate model.

It has Double G#, Eb, double C# trill, D trill, left F-lever, low Bb resonance key.

If i am not mistaken Buffet has a 10 year crack warranty on all their wood instruments. (correct me if im wrong)

Hope i shed some light