At the student level, how would one compare these oboe brands? Are there any other brands I should consider?

In the next few months we may need to purchase a used student oboe for our daughter who is in grade 7 in elementary school and who just joined the band as an oboe player. For now we are renting a Selmer 1492FB until we are sure she likes to play the oboe - she already seems to love the oboe after only a week!
Our budget is under $700 USD for a used oboe but hopefully I can find one for under $500. I've been told that the low B-flat key option is not necessary for students. At which point will she need the low B-flat key option option? If not for a while, I can probably save the extra cost and just look for one without the B-flat key. Is this a good strategy for searching for a student oboe?

I've been watching our local used instrument supply sources (craigslist) and I often come across the following brands and models:

Selmer 1492FB
Yamaha YOB-241
Yamaha YOB-441 (might be too expensive)
Buffet (example: BC4052-2-0)
Jupiter

At the student level, how does Yamaha compare to Buffet? Jupiter?

Thank you for any opinions,

Mike

I forgot to mention. How do oboe players find Selmer oboes (such as 1492)? How do they compare with Yamaha, Buffet or Jupiter?

Thank you,

I would go completely with Yamaha. They are pretty good student instruments. The 241 or 441 are both pretty nice. I've played on both and the intonation is pretty good. I would not go with the buffets or jupiters as the mechanisms on either of those brands aren't too good.

Thank you Canadian. Much appreciated advice!
Mike

you might wana try WWBW.com (non-endorsement) I had a Barrington Oboe, It had all the pro-amenities at a student price, it was plastic of course, but still sounded very good for the price, unfortunately for you, oboe is a very expensive instrument, and finding a good quality instrument in that price range may be difficult

GOOD LUCK :D

Thanks krosskuntryrunne,

Thank you for that helpful link to www.wwbw.com. I looked on that website and didn't see any oboes within our price range (under $500). The nine used oboes on that website today were all more than $1000. I've seen oboes on craigslist for much less. Craigslist may be more risk, yes, but if I use craislist I might have an oboe I'm interested in checked out by a professional before I buy and then I am sure that would be the more economical way to go. I saw a Yamaha 241 or 244 for about $500 or less on craigslist back when I was looking in the summer - can't remember exactly however.

I appreciate your suggestion about the Barrington Oboe and the www.wwbw.com website as well. Will keep this in mind.

Thanks again!
Mike