What oboes have a unique sound quality that stands out?
This page compares 5 oboes with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Fox Model 400 (Fox 400), Marigaux 2000 (Model 2000 / 2001 series), Howarth S40. Prices range from £3,317 to £7,154. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Brand ⇅ | Model ⇅ | Material ⇅ | Key Range ⇅ | Barrel Length (inch) ⇅ | Bore Size (mm) ⇅ |
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Fox Model 400 (Fox 400)
US
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£5655.75 ≈ | Fox | 400 | Grenadilla | — | — | — |
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The Fox Model 400 is a professional, full-conservatory oboe made from select grenadilla wood with silver‑plated keys and Fox's original bore and tone-hole design. It's known for a sweet, stable sound and precise intonation, offered by specialist music retailers as a special-order professional instrument. Suited for advanced and professional players seeking a traditional American-made oboe. ★ Ideal forIdeal for players seeking a unique, standing-out oboe sound because its grenadilla body and Fox original bore/tone-hole design produce a sweet, stable tone and strong intonation.
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Marigaux 2000 (Model 2000 / 2001 series)
US
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£7153.62 ≈ | Marigaux | 2001 | Grenadilla | — | — | — |
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The Marigaux 2000 series (including Model 2001) are professional conservatoire oboes built in grenadilla with silver-plated keywork, redesigned ergonomic keywork, and features like a third-octave key and adjustable thumb rest. They suit advanced players seeking a large, steady core sound with improved technical ergonomics. The 2001 is supplied in a Marigaux case and finished by hand. ★ Ideal forIdeal for players wanting an oboe with a distinctive, large orchestral sound because it uses grenadilla construction and ergonomic key redesigns (extended G/G# and long F) that enhance projection and technical fluency.
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Howarth S40
US
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£3316.71 ≈ | Howarth | S40C | Grenadilla wood | — | — | — |
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The Howarth S40C is a lighter-weight graduate oboe with a conservatoire system, semi-automatic octave keys, a third-octave key, and extensive trill mechanisms. It suits advanced students and serious amateur players moving beyond a beginner instrument toward professional-level features. ★ Ideal forIts grenadilla-wood body, silver-plated conservatoire keywork, semi-automatic octave system, third-octave key, and extended trill mechanisms give advanced players a rich, vibrant sound with distinctive tonal character.
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Yamaha YOB-441IIT Intermediate Oboe; Grenadilla Body
US
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£4028.75 ≈ | Yamaha | YOB-441IIT | Grenadilla | — | — | — |
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The Yamaha YOB-441IIT is an intermediate American-style oboe with a grenadilla body and bell, modified conservatoire key system, silver-plated nickel silver keys, and all-cork pads. Its third octave key, low-Bb resonance vent, low B-C# trill key, and strap ring make it well suited to advancing players seeking a warm, focused sound and improved playability. ★ Ideal forIts grenadilla body and bell produce a warm, pure tone that stands out, while the American-style bore, redesigned bell bore, and third octave key support clear projection and stable intonation.
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Yamaha YOB-841
US
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£6097.72 ≈ | Yamaha | YOB-841 | Grenadilla | — | — | — |
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The Yamaha YOB-841 is a professional oboe with a grenadilla body, silver-plated keys, a full Conservatoire semi-automatic system, and an American-style open bore. Its focused, dark, silky tone and advanced key features make it best suited to professional and serious advanced oboists. ★ Ideal forIt suits players seeking an oboe with a distinctive sound because its American-style open bore, tapered conically undercut tone holes, grenadilla body, and nickel-silver bell ring are designed to produce a dark, silky tone with a focused center.
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