Hi! A really great oboe that happens to be middle priced is the Rigoutat RIEC. The American version, which has some more keys that the french variant, of it has everything in terms of keys. (3rd octave, LH F, Bb res.) It is about $3600, but well worth it! This oboe could take you through college without anyone telling you to get a better one. They come in all wood or wood with a composite top joint. And do not be scared by the composite material. No human alive can tell the difference of all wood and composite! The benefit is that there are no cracks and no break in period! Go with a Rigoutat! They rock my socks!

I would have to concur with the other Chris. Either buy a Yamaha or Loree if you are looking into majoring. But if you are looking in for playing for fun I would upgrade to a Fox 330 or so.

I have been playing for 3 years now and I have had a Howarths oboe for 2 years. I am grade 6 but when I first started I rented one form the county music service. They let me try it out and I even did grade 3 on it before I got my own. It just helps to know that that is the instrument you really want to play

I`ve been playing the oboe for 4 years now. Right now I`m playing on a Fox 330. I like it, and my oboe teacher Holly Gornik. (she`s in the Utah Symphony, check her cd out, she`s good. It`s called Gabriel`s Oboe.) Anyway, she told me that I would never have to buy a new one. But I`m looking to buy one anyway. I`m not sure whether to get a Loree or not. I heard good things about Bulgerhoni. Now I`m not sure what to do. Does any one have any suggestions?

If you are looking into buying a new oboe, dont narrow down your possibilities to much. if you are set into buying one brand of oboe then chances are that you might not get the right one. if you are looking for a truly professional instrument set up a mail system. i bought a F. Loree oboe from a berkeley music store and i live in New York. it took me about a year and a half to find the right oboe for me. what i did was i contacted most of the major retailers of many different models of oboe and had the companies mail me oboes. i took a record and i tried 26 F. Loree oboes, 14 Professional Yamaha oboes, 9 Fox models, 15 Buffet, 3 Laubins (used), and 7 howarth oboes. and finally found the right one. hope to be of help

If you have been satisfied with what you were getting on your old model, try the Fox 400. It is all grenadilla (wood) and is claimed by some to be superior to Loree. I have played both, and the Fox comes very close, but just does not beat what I consider to be the best, but is nevertheless a great deal. Whatever you buy stay away from Selmer!! Good Luck.

I am in college and majoring in music and I play on a Fossati A01N. This onoe has done remarkably with the humididty and moisture where I live. Whatever oboe you choose make sure that it is compatable with your climate, trust me I know from experience, A GOOD OBOE CAN STILL HAVE WATER PROBLEMS! Happy hunting and try everything.

HI i need to find the right oboe brand i am about to play oboe in my school`s band I haven`t bought one yet and i am a beginner so PLEASE TELL WHICH OBOE BRAND IS BEST FOR A BEGINNER!

Please reply and tell me which brand is best! thanks and i am a beginner and i don`t want something TOO expensive Thanks!

In school i play a howarth S55 oboe over £3000 but it is the best one ive ever played!!!!

thanks though for replying but i think that might be TOO expensive i need something for maybe 100 dollars or less or a little more i haven`t even bought an oboe yet and i am a beginner thanks a bunch! ~!oboe lover!~

I think the only thing you`ll get in that price range would be off of ebay....and it won`t necessarily be good either. I wanna buy a new oboe, it`d be great if you could only pay that much for one, but as a beginner as long as it works well, it doesn`t have to be perfect or anything. Best of luck to you!

Thanks so much i think i might have found one but you gave me wonderful advice