I have never had the privilege to be in the same room as a bass oboe, but I'm more familiar with them than most. Be warned that there are two types: the true bass oboe, which is basically a longer english horn, and the heckelphone, which has a wider bore, a farther range, and a fuller sound. I've been told that the bass oboe is rather weak. The heckelphone is sort of a cross between a bassoon and an oboe. It is made by bassoon makers, and its reed is more of a bassoon reed, but it is straight and has oboe fingerings. It is also the only instrument in the oboe family with a low A key.
