My recommendation, for what it`s worth, is the Fox. For the money, Fox has the best scale and sound quality of all the student model instruments. If you can`t afford to go with the Artist model, the 333 is a good alternative. The body is made of a resin composite that has very smooth tonal characteristics. Two of my students have gone with the Fox model 300 and are very happy, as am I. Best darn sound from a relatively inexpensive horn.

I myself play a Laubin, as noted before, but they fall in the category of fiscally impractical for beginners unless you find a nice used one, which is not that easy to do.

Good luck! No Selmers!

When I was looking to buy an oboe (gosh, 20 years ago, at least), my instructor ordered in 3 oboes for me to try: a Patricola, a Fox, and a Selmer. (...at least, I think the 3rd one was a Selmer. That was a long time ago...)

Tried the "Selmer" first. It was considerably better than my plastic rental oboe, but it didn`t grab me. Then tried the Fox. Fell in love with it at first play: snappy quick key action, lovely tone, good feel. Tried the Patricola, and it wasn`t working. Something about the trip over here had messed it up.

I was ready to go with the Fox, but my teacher wisely said to wait a week while she had the Patricola adjusted. Came back, played the Fox again. Slowly, I realized the sound was kinda thin and brighter than I really liked. Tried the Patricola - gorgeous, dark sound, heavy heavy instrument. Back to the Fox - it felt like a plastic toy, and sounded like one to me.

Needless to say, I got the Patricola. I don`t think I`d even trade it for a Loree now (gasp!). In fact, I know I wouldn`t, cuz a fellow oboeist and I traded horns for a college orchestra practice once when I was feeling jealous of her Loree. It was nice, but I loved the heaviness and darkness of my Patricola.

Oh yes, and she definitely wanted her Loree back. Her right thumb was hurting from trying to hold up my Patricola for a few hours, and she missed her brighter Loree sound. So it all comes down to personal preference in the end.

Hope that helps...

I`m curious - was the Patricola wood or plastic? I would go with a wooden instrument any day, as long as it was a brand that hadn`t already set my teeth on edge. I far and away prefer the deep, velvet tones of wood, but if you can`t afford a nice wooden instrument, the plastic that Fox uses is superior to many of the others, and their scale is excellent.

I also had opportunity to test a Yamaha instrument the other day. I had not tried a Yamaha in several years, and it appears that they have revamped their style and their construction techniques. I still think they are a little light constructed, but the sound and fingering are far superior to what they used to be. I give them an A for effort.

The Patricola was wood, as were all the rest. For me, if you`re going to buy an oboe, there`s no point in buying a plastic one. You`re buying an oboe because you`re serious about playing it in the Future Beyond High School, and if you`re that serious, you don`t play on plastic. FWIW....

Ahh, that would explain the weight and the sweetness of the sound. I agree thoroughly with your assessment. I have on several occasions, though, wished I had a secondary plastic instrument, those being the humid evenings here in the Northeast when I am playing with an ensemble in the great outdoors. My Laubin is, of course, wood, and she is a sweet creature. She is very subject to the effects of a heavy atmosphere even after all these years, and I worry about what I am doing to her. I don`t want to outlive my darling.
Maybe I could find a used Loree.... ;-)

Guys, if you look for really outstanding oboe then you should think of getting Marigaux one. Those are inredible instrumets with a deep, rich, round sound (they get this sound thanks a special, narrower bore)and even intonation. All European oboists have or dream of having Marigaux. This is a true Rolls-Royce among other brands. But you have to watch out: they are very fragile instruments and most of them gets cracked if neglected! Besides they cost a lot! But on the other hand....if you think of professional performing then there is no other choice but Marigaux!
What else can I reccomend.......Definitely all instruments made in Paris and Italy :
- Fossati, which has a very rich, deep timbre and reasonable price
- Bulgheroni, nice deep sound and you can get it for really low price
- Loree, good sound although there can be some problems with intonation (Loree has never been considered to be a top brand in France)
- Rigoutat, good instruments for students and professional oboists
Referring to German and English brands: they are quite reliable instruments but don`t have that beautiful, deep sound that French oboes have.
And my very last remark: Oboes made of plastic? This is nothing else but a profanation of oboe! Plastic oboe creates plastic sound......is that what you want?
Take care, guys! And have a pleasant moments with French oboes!

Buffet Green Line is one of the greatest oboe inventions! Having this oboe you don`t have to worry about cracks and uneven intonation! Great oboe for all humid and cold areas, besides that way it is made and its sound will satisfy even the most picky professional oboist!

Is there any oboes or models that are recommended for college level playing?? What is the main distintion between an intermediate and professional oboe? I am looking for an oboe to transition from highschool into college without having to invest in another oboe. Open to recommendations of all brands.

I`ve just gone through all 158 (so far) postings to this thread. First of all, it is nice to have contact with a far larger Oboe community than we can usually find locally.
Also, a very nice Oboe (double reed) shop not so far mentioned is Weber Reeds of Chandler, Arizona. David Weber was the Principle Oboist for the Alabama Symphony. When the symphony went bankrupt and shut down for a few years, he started making reeds full-time. When the symphony started up again, he stayed with Weber Reeds,which is still doing very well. They handle new and some used oboes besides a fine selection of hand-made reeds and accessories.
The beginning Oboist needs to find a good teacher. If the school band director does not play oboe as his/her primary instrument,it is unlikely that they can help beyond a very basic level. What I did when I decided to change to the Oboe was to call a local college, talked to the Oboe professor and found a graduate student to give me lessons.
Ever have a band director say "You`re Sharp! Pull your reed out!" See what I mean?
A good teacher can help you select a good (for you) Oboe, make or adjust reeds, teach you to make and adjust reeds, and help you through the troubles of learning the beautiful, delicate and maddening Oboe we all love.

Do not get a Selmer Oboe! They are some of the worst quality, and have a shallow tone. They also usually are lacking trill keys and low B flat, as far as I know, they ALWAYS are missing those keys. I play a Laubin oboe, and it is wonderful. I also recommend Lorees and Yamahas.

Good Luck

I got a Selmer and its a awesome instrument, its got left F, Low B flat, awesum trill keys and a wonderful tone.. its a great instrument.. but im from Australia so mayb the selmers made over here are better then the ones in other countries?.. i dont know, but the selmer im playing at the moment is fine ..

@~> jaspie boi

My Larilee 400W oboe has served me well. Larilee specializes in double reeds, so they know what they`re doing. I call them the American verstion of Loree.

Well, I started out on a Selmer oboe last year. I liked it a lot until I relized what other oboes sounded like. When I got an advanced instrument in May, I decided on a Buffet. Although it was expensive ($4,000) I`ll be happy with it for a long time. Just don`t get a Selmer what ever you do.

The yamaha Yob241,441,841,831 are four of the best instruments in the market. The 241 being one of the best sounding and responsive student model. The 441 sound like a professional instrument and is only a intermediate instrument. And then the amazing 841 and 831 people always seem to lwave yamaha out. But these two instruments are outstanding the tone is beatiful and intonation is superior. I am currently breaking in a 831 and love it can`t wait to see what to her the tone when i am finshed with the break in process

sorry for the spelling in my last comment but another really excellent oboe is the marigaux 901 or 2001 they have good sound, good intonation, and are very responsive