<p>My DD is attending Lawrence University (Appleton) this fall as a NON-Music major (Econ/Govt for now) She'd like to participate in the ensembles, however, and maybe pep band (flute). We've rented an oboe for her since middle school, but now she'll need her own instrument. The Fox 330 has been recommended by her private oboe/oboe reed instructors, but at the store, she was partial to the model 333, which is quite similar to what she's been playing all these years.<br>
So, do we go for the higher quality instrument, since that what many of her orchestra-mates may be playing, or choose the one she likes the best????</p>
<p>I don't know about oboes, but we have purchased several professional quality clarinets. I would take the teacher's opinion into consideration because you need to be able to see how far a particular instrument can take you. As with clarinets, I would guess that middle range oboes have their limitations. Another thing to consider is how good the instrument's tone inherently is, and how in-tune the notes are. The professional quality clarinets definitely felt different than the student clarinets, and they took a little getting used to. But after a few weeks, we knew it was the right choice.</p>
<p>Also, my kids tried several instruments, mouthpieces, reeds, etc to find which setup worked best. Maybe the old mouthpiece or reed is not best on the new instrument.</p>
<p>You may want to try the Woodwind and the Brasswind website. They will send you three instruments on approval and you can try them out with your teacher. The clarinets were about half the price of retail stores. Another option would be to ask her teacher if he knows of anyone selling the model of oboe he prefers.</p>
<p>One more thought. Professional quality instruments hold their value well. You would be able to recoup most, if not all, of your investment if you daughter should decide to give up playing the oboe.</p>
<p>A new instrument...how exciting! :D</p>
<p>You need to check the "features" of the different oboe models. Some do not have low F (I think that is the pitch) keys, or other keys you will need to play orchestral music. I am not familiar with the Fox instruments (DD has Loree), but we found that the oboe teacher's recommendation was paramount...assuming it will fulfill the needs of a college orchestral player.</p>
<p>OK...I just read the difference. The 330 has a full conservatory system...and that would be a good thing to have for a college orchestral player according to my daughter.</p>
<p>A Fox 330 is probably the least expensive oboe to consider. In the long run, more expensive instruments may not cost any more. Better quality instruments continue to appreciate. Your D may also want to contact her oboe teacher at Lawrence. The attached article is pretty good:
<a href="http://www.public.asu.edu/%7Eschuring/Oboe/instruments.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.public.asu.edu/~schuring/Oboe/instruments.html</a></p>
<p>Since daughter is going to Lawrence, are you reasonably close to Woodwind Brass Wind in South Bend, IN? The reason I ask is that it is well worth your while to take a field trip...</p>
<p>DD is a clarinet and sax player. We have bought most of her expensive instruments in South Bend. Each of these trips was very enlightening and worth the time and expense. The prices at WWBW are usually the best so you get the best deal.</p>
<p>The key "take home message" is that each instrument, even the same model and manufacturer, sounds very different. We have picked up $3300 saxophones that you wouldn't use for a door stop, but the very next one may sound better than the $4000 model from the same manufacturer. </p>
<p>It's even more variable with clarinets, given the variability of wood, which is common to oboes. The last visit was to buy a "second" clarinet. The problem we found is that none of the 14 ones identical to her current horn sounded as good as her current one so we ended up going "up" a model. Even then, it took 4 to find one that was truly better than the current one and we're talking a $1300 price difference between the "old" one and the "new" one.</p>
<p>Each time we have gone, she tested over 15 instruments from multiple manufacturers and models. When you're laying out significant $$$ it's nice to know that you got the one that sounds best in your hands.</p>
<p>And here's the "better" part. When you find the one that's right for you, they usually have free shipping so if it gets shipped out of Indiana, you save on the sales tax!</p>
<p>And, like a Ginsu knife ad, WAIT! THERE'S MORE!! WWBW will often have "open box" specials or used instruments available too. On the return from visiting Oberlin, we stopped by since we were "in the neighborhood" and much to our delight there was a used Eb clarinet and an "open box" A clarinet. The Eb had great sound and the A was a very solid instrument. The savings were fantastic, as the Eb was 1/3 the price of a new one and the A was 1/2! Since these are two lesser used instruments, this ended up being a great stop. Her private instructor commented that the Eb was an absolute steal because of it's great sound and the A was a great bargain too after we changed the barrel.</p>
<p>Bottom line, if you can make it to South Bend on a day trip, do so! If not, you can still use them and get 3 instruments shipped home so your DD can try out and have her current instructor rate them.</p>
<p>Here is the WW&BW comparison of the two oboes (I think):
<a href="http://www.wwbw.com/Comparison/Compare.aspx?comp=150484,22296%5B/url%5D">http://www.wwbw.com/Comparison/Compare.aspx?comp=150484,22296</a>
Wow, they are expensive for being plastic instead of grenadilla wood! I have found the folks at WW&BW to be very knowledgable about specific instruments, if you want another opinion in addition to the music teacher's.</p>
<p>In the world of clarinets, things that mattered seemed to include the wood material, the bore, the hand finishing of the holes and the responsiveness of the key system. These were in addition to the innate tone and accuracy of pitch, which surprisingly varied widely among instruments of the same model. Thank goodness we had professionals to help us choose the first few instruments until my son was good enough to choose his own! </p>
<p>Good luck with you happy "problem"! :)</p>
<p>Here's a sad note... :-(</p>
<p>Just went to the WWBW site and noticed a price increase of $800 on the clarinet I bought back in April, but the list price didn't seem to have changed. When I called WWBW they said the effective August 1, Buffet has mandated mimimum pricing for their instruments. Before August 1, you could figure 50% off the list price for most Buffet instruments, now it's only 40% off.</p>
<p>Lady I talked to said that Yahmaha has a similiar pricing policy.</p>
<p>Just my humble opinion...see if you can go to a music store or oboe vendor so that you can TRY the instruments. We have considered mailing back and forth to places but it gets pretty pricey to ship AND insure these packages. Personally we found it easier to go somewhere to try instruments rather than mail order. Is there someone in your area who sells oboes?</p>
<p>tightwadannie, son is oboist at Lawrence. Wait until your daughter can talk to students and professor in September if at all possible. I am sitting in Brewed Awakenings coffee shop on College right now. What a great campus! This is my first visit! Now I can see why my son chose the school. :)</p>