Howarth oboes, Comparison of different models Options

[Roseau]

Ooh I stand corrected - having looked more closely at the conservatoire version. Odd that it has a LH F when the thumbplate model doesn't (though the tech specs don't mention it). It also appears from the photo to have a bottom B-C# link which the thumbplate model doesn't. All very odd considering the prices are identical.

I agree it is strange. But last year when I was looking for my own I noticed that the conservatoire versions were always cheaper than the equivalent thumb plate one (I haven't checked all the prices this year) so maybe the S20 is the same price but you get a few more keys.

[Arundodonuts]

Ooh I stand corrected - having looked more closely at the conservatoire version. Odd that it has a LH F when the thumbplate model doesn't (though the tech specs don't mention it). It also appears from the photo to have a bottom B-C# link which the thumbplate model doesn't. All very odd considering the prices are identical.

I agree it is strange. But last year when I was looking for my own I noticed that the conservatoire versions were always cheaper than the equivalent thumb plate one (I haven't checked all the prices this year) so maybe the S20 is the same price but you get a few more keys.

Ooh. STOP PRESS.

I've just spotted the new S50!! "This model is available for export only, not for sale in the UK".

[Roseau]

I've just spotted the new S50!! "This model is available for export only, not for sale in the UK".

When I went to Howarths last year, they had got one of these out for me to try. I queried it saying that I thought they were "for export only" as it said on their website. I had assumed that there was some tax reason but they just said there is no demand for them in the UK - they export them to the US - and people in the UK can try them if they like.

I found the sound rather thin and also less comfortable to hold as they are slightly narrower.

[clarioboekids]

Hello all, I'm new here! I was interested to reply to this thread as I bought my 11 year old daughter the Howarth S40 this summer, having previously rented a Buffet intermediate oboe from music centre. It is a little heavier but she hasn't complained about the weight (although she isn't a small 11 - more an average 13!) We had considered the S20 but it wasn't significantly cheaper and as she is quite advanced it would seem she would need to change again quite quickly so better to jump over the S20 to the S40. We had a lovely time trying several in Howarth's shop - Emma is fab in there. Straight away, the improvement in her tone was incredible. Hope this helps!

[Roseau]

Hello Clairoboekids, I ended up buying my daughter an S20. (I posted this in the oboe thread but it is probably buried pages deep by now). She found the S40 heavy but more importantly (and this hadn't even occurred to me as a possible problem beforehand) because her hands are still small and her fingers are short, she found it very hard and uncomfortable to curve the right-hand sufficiently so as not to catch the G# key on the S40 (because it has a slightly thicker bore its overall diameter is larger than that of the S20). While I'm sure she is going to start growing in the not too distant future, she needs an oboe she can play now.

She sounds much nicer than on her Delphine Rigoutat and our oboe teacher has assured me that at that price he will be able to sell it on to another pupil very easily if/when we decide to upgrade it. I don't know how advanced your daughter is, but our oboe teacher thought that the S20 ought to take her up to the French equivalent of grade 7/8 without a problem.

[katica]

Hello all, I'm new here! I was interested to reply to this thread as I bought my 11 year old daughter the Howarth S40 this summer, having previously rented a Buffet intermediate oboe from music centre. It is a little heavier but she hasn't complained about the weight (although she isn't a small 11 - more an average 13!) We had considered the S20 but it wasn't significantly cheaper and as she is quite advanced it would seem she would need to change again quite quickly so better to jump over the S20 to the S40. We had a lovely time trying several in Howarth's shop - Emma is fab in there. Straight away, the improvement in her tone was incredible. Hope this helps!

Sounds as though you made a good choice if your daughter is able to manage an S40 adequately, unlike kerioboe's daughter. I tried one a while back and thought it sounded very nice. I agree that Emma is great - always very helpful. And I'm sure I've tried her patience to the limit...

Welcome to the Forums. I hope you find them as useful as the rest of us have.

[clarioboekids]

Hello Clairoboekids, I ended up buying my daughter an S20. (I posted this in the oboe thread but it is probably buried pages deep by now). She found the S40 heavy but more importantly (and this hadn't even occurred to me as a possible problem beforehand) because her hands are still small and her fingers are short, she found it very hard and uncomfortable to curve the right-hand sufficiently so as not to catch the G# key on the S40 (because it has a slightly thicker bore its overall diameter is larger than that of the S20). While I'm sure she is going to start growing in the not too distant future, she needs an oboe she can play now.

She sounds much nicer than on her Delphine Rigoutat and our oboe teacher has assured me that at that price he will be able to sell it on to another pupil very easily if/when we decide to upgrade it. I don't know how advanced your daughter is, but our oboe teacher thought that the S20 ought to take her up to the French equivalent of grade 7/8 without a problem.

[clarioboekids]

Hello Clairoboekids, I ended up buying my daughter an S20. (I posted this in the oboe thread but it is probably buried pages deep by now). She found the S40 heavy but more importantly (and this hadn't even occurred to me as a possible problem beforehand) because her hands are still small and her fingers are short, she found it very hard and uncomfortable to curve the right-hand sufficiently so as not to catch the G# key on the S40 (because it has a slightly thicker bore its overall diameter is larger than that of the S20). While I'm sure she is going to start growing in the not too distant future, she needs an oboe she can play now.

She sounds much nicer than on her Delphine Rigoutat and our oboe teacher has assured me that at that price he will be able to sell it on to another pupil very easily if/when we decide to upgrade it. I don't know how advanced your daughter is, but our oboe teacher thought that the S20 ought to take her up to the French equivalent of grade 7/8 without a problem.

Hi there Kerioboe. I'm glad you're happy with the S20 - it's also a lovely instrument. I know what you mean about the G# key on the S40 (even though I don't play) as my daughter had to get used to avoiding that. She is playing grade 7-8 music now and we won't ever be buying her another oboe so it has to last until she gets a job and buys her own! In saying that, I know Howarths have a huge waiting list for 2nd hand oboes so I doubt you'd have any trouble selling through them if not your teacher. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello all, I'm new here! I was interested to reply to this thread as I bought my 11 year old daughter the Howarth S40 this summer, having previously rented a Buffet intermediate oboe from music centre. It is a little heavier but she hasn't complained about the weight (although she isn't a small 11 - more an average 13!) We had considered the S20 but it wasn't significantly cheaper and as she is quite advanced it would seem she would need to change again quite quickly so better to jump over the S20 to the S40. We had a lovely time trying several in Howarth's shop - Emma is fab in there. Straight away, the improvement in her tone was incredible. Hope this helps!

Sounds as though you made a good choice if your daughter is able to manage an S40 adequately, unlike kerioboe's daughter. I tried one a while back and thought it sounded very nice. I agree that Emma is great - always very helpful. And I'm sure I've tried her patience to the limit...

Welcome to the Forums. I hope you find them as useful as the rest of us have.

Thank you Katica. Definitely it's useful reading other people's views. By the way do you know about the Big Double Reed Day in London on Sunday 6th November? For adults and children alike. Google it for more info. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)