Is it possible to buy an affordable oboe?

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Boring thread alert. I used to play the oboe as a teen but when I left home and lost interest In playing my parents sold it.
Anyway now I’m having a middle aged criss and wanted it take it up again. Only it turns out they cost a fortune. Are there any brands worth getting cheap on eBay? I wasn’t exactly professional and only got to grade 5 so don’t want to spend too much and regret it .

I have always wanted to play the oboe! I seriously thought about buying one but couldn’t justify it!

I think you might be better with a second hand one from a trusted source though - I got a really nice student flute from here

www.wwr.co.uk/second-hand.html

Howarth seems to get mentioned a lot...

Thanks I agree about second hand but even then they seem to run into several hundred. I’m thinking I might have to learn something else that I can afford! No wonder oboe players are in short supply!

Our woodwind peri at school used to swear by John Packer. Have a look to see what they’ve got on their website.

Oh thanks there is one for 400. Still expensive but more reasonable. Annoyingly mine was a good on and I suspect my mum gave it away. I do wonder whether I should try the clarinet instead as can get one for 100.

I spoke to soon the 400 pound oboe needs 500 spending ok it to make it playable!!

My son plays the Oboe, we rented for years from Howarths London.

Will look perhaps renting a good idea.

Have you looked on eBay? They’re generally a more expensive woodwind instrument but could be lucky and get a bargain.

2nd hand oboes seem to hold their value. If you can afford the initial price, then you can probably sell later for more or less the same. That’s been our experience anyway.

Hi OP, I'm an oboist

EBay and John Packer are good ideas. Mine is a Howarth but bought a long time ago!

Re oboe or clarinet, it depends what you want to do with it, if you want to join an orchestra or group you're much more likely to get in playing the oboe rather than clarinet. In my amateur group we have 2 oboes and about 9 clarinets!

I can help with places to get reeds if you go ahead so feel free to PM me.