The daughter of a good friend of mine is an excellent musician, accomplished classical pianist and passable flute player, and has gotten very interested in playing oboe the last couple of years. She is using a loaner older Loree from the school system, but is ready to purchase an oboe for herself. She is telling her mom that she 'needs' a new Loree Professional, but mom is concerned about the very high cost...but is willing to buy a high quality instrument. So I am looking for some guidance to pass on to her. She is clearly ready for a high end intermediate or 'standard' (not elite) professional horn, as she has passed auditions to get into advanced ensembles.

I generally like to give sensible advice, so I personally consider eventual resale value and as such, stick to well-known brands. I assume the major oboe manufacturers: Loree, Fox, Buffet, Patricola, and of course, Yamaha. In each of these lines, I'm looking for advice as to what I call the inflection point in the offerings...i.e. the point where spending more money does not get you a dramatically better oboe. For example, how much better do the Fox oboes get as you progress from the 330 resin to the 400 or the Yamahas as you go from the 400 series to the 800 series. Really worth the money?? Will the difference be noticeable in the first 5 years of oboe playing.

I don't play any double reeds and my last experience with an oboe player was a girlfriend 40 years ago in a woodwind quintet setting. I did read through all the posts here and couldn't find much info.

Well, I don't know much about exactly what it is you would be looking for, as I don't know the girl's playing abilities. Some oboes come with certain keys, and can do alternate fingerings and trills that would be difficult to impossible for less advanced oboes. I won't get too into the costs of oboes, or different brands, as I don't know too much.

I suggest that if this girl really knows that she will stick with the oboe for many years, that she should go ahead and buy an advanced oboe. Many people buy/rent and sell again oboes that they have outgrown. I don't like this, because it really is a waste of money to keep buying all of those oboes. I started on a beginner oboe until I know that I would stick with it, then I just got the big girl oboe.

However, if this girl is not sure that she will contnue playing, don't spend all of your money on an advanceced oboe.

Honestly, I think that you could get an oboe just as good as that advanced Loree for a LOT less money. Of course, Loree products are almost always guarenteed better than others, you get to a point when it's almost TOO fancy, and you really don't need "all that."

If she really likes the loree, wait a bit. You might find a great used loree for under $5,000. Currently I play on a used loree, and it's great! I'm pretty sure the life of a good loree is about 30 years, if kept well!

Don't go at this without professional help!! I have had students show up for lessons with oboes their parents bought and they were terrible. They ended up having to buy another one. Try Oboes.us. Peter Hurd is very knowledgeable about oboes and has a lot for sale. Also, a good used oboe which has been overhauled by a reputable repairman is most often a much better choice than a brand new not broken-in oboe of any brand, even Loree.

That's true. Also before you buy a used oboe get it check over by a third party repair person. Just to see if it needs and repairs, or even if it's worth it.

In passing, I would like to add a statement or two for you.

If she is going to buy a new/used oboe, be sure she gets a trial period for 3, 4, or 5 oboes to be able to play, before she actually gets one. It's very important to be able to have it to yourself for a bit before making a commitment to anything.