I`m looking at a Larilee full conservatory oboe on eBay. I know that people say to stay away from eBay, but it looks nice. They have a guarantee. I can return it after 7 days. Should I go for it?? It`s around $800 at the moment...Any opinions?

I could use any thoughts on the brand also.

*PEACE*OUT*
Molly

It doesn`t have a left F key, so it`s not full conservatory.

Thanks for pointing that out Bill_D.

Anyone know specifics about the brand??

*PEACE*OUT*
Molly

OK. Wow. I`ve been reading up on taking care of wooden oboes, and there seem to be a lot of things that can go wrong...not to mention the fact that they don`t seem to last as long as a plastic oboe. I`m starting to have some doubts about purchasing an oboe like this. I would feel better with some opinions from people here.

Plus, I read that the left hand F key is important. As a beginning player, will it really be important to me?

Thanks for putting up with all my questions. I just really need some advice on this.

There`s also an interesting looking Fox 330 that`s over at about the same time as the Larilee. I`m watching both items, but I just can`t make up my mind...

*PEACE*OUT*
Molly

BTW--Bought a Dunkel reed and a kick butt metronome online today! How exciting! ^_^

I recently tried a Fox 300 on approval. I liked it a lot. I`m not sure how the Fox 330 differs, from the 300, except for the number of keys. I`ve read a number of favorable reviews about Fox oboes.

I think it is important to purchase an oboe from someone that can make sure it`s in good playing condition, before you get it, provides an approval period, and will service it promptly if something goes wrong with it in the future. Hopefully, you have a teacher that can evaluate an oboe that you get on approval.

Okay, is "Left F" and "Forked F Resonance" the same thing?? I`m gonna go ahead and finally get myself a professional (or as close as I can get) oboe. So, the key.....is the way to tell if it`s there to look at the bell and see if there are two keys instead of just one???? I`m thinking that`s what it is but I`m not exactly sure and want to be before I make a decision.

Also, I see on some oboes and not on others a key (trill key maybe) that is where you could push it with the tip of your right-hand ring finger or something....what exactly is that key for??

Thanks so much,

Corinne

The key you`re asking about is another C key, for the Bb/B/C<--->Eb trills. It`s called the "banana key" if we`re thinking same key...
Left F isn`t that important just starting, you`re music won`t be so fast you`ll be behind getting from F to D or what not. F Resonance is to make it sound better when you have to use the forked F. If you`re gonna stay playing, make sure to get left F.
If you just look at the bell, you won`t know if there is a 3rd octave key, I think everything else comes after having the Bb resonance. 3rd octave isn`t completely necesary, i`ve lived without it :P
I`ve heard Larilee is an acceptable oboe from my private teacher, but she recommends Lorée to the highest degree.
Hope I helped ^_^

Well, I`m not really that much of a beginner...this is my fifth year playing oboe and I am now a junior in high school. Therefore it`s imperative that I get as much a pro oboe as I can so that I can get used to all those extra keys so I can play them right, I`m sure I can`t get into a really good college (music) with the little student selmer oboe that I`ve used the past four years.

I didn`t exactly understand your explanation (no offense)

Are you saying the "banana" key is the one that is a bit out from the right-hand ring finger key??

So, I see that many oboes will just have the B-flat key on the bell...what I`m asking is, what is the other key on the left-hand side of the bell (looking down like you would when you are holding your oboe to play it)????

Can you tell me how to know if the left-hand F / F resonance (those are the same thing right?) is one the oboe? Thank you,

Corinne

Okie dokie...

I just looked at a lot of oboes on ebay that say "professional" If there is the Left-hand F key, there will be like 5 keys that your left-hand pinkey can press, correct? There are the three regulars you always see, and then the one in the middle kind of on top of them and this is the Left-hand F?

Okay, I`d still like this question answered...What are the two keys on the bell for?? I`m guessing that if there is one, that means it is the B-flat key on the bell (on the right hand side below the Eb, C, C# stuff)...

What`s the one on the left hand side for?? Please let me know...

Or if you know of some diagram of the oboe that tells what each key is called and what it`s for (which would be pretty extraordinary) PLEASE let me know.

Please reply if you know the answers to these questions.

Thank you,

Corinne

The second key on the bell, on the left side is a Bb resonence key. it improves the sound of the low Bb, but not all oboes come with one. It`s a fairly new invention and many oboists prefer not to have it because it`s just another hole in the instrument.