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Site Map > Products > Woodwinds > Oboes
Buffet Oboes, Olds oboes, Patricola Oboes, Cor Anglais
Oboe info: Range, Automatic and Semi-Automatic systems, Conservatoire and Thumb-Plate systems.
18-42420 Buffet BC4051-2-0 Oboe.
BUFFET OBOES |
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| 18-42420 | BUFFET BC4051-2-0 OBOE OUTFIT, FRENCH CONSERVATORY SYSTEM, 2 8VA KEYS, SEMI-AUTOMATIC | BC4051 |
$4,737.00 |
| 18-42430 | BUFFET BC4052-2-0 OBOE OUTFIT, FRENCH CONSERVATORY SYSTEM, 3 8VA KEYS, SEMI-AUTOMATIC | BC4052 |
$4,971.00 |
| 18-42435 | BUFFET BC-4057-2-0 OBOE OUTFIT, FRENCH CONSERVATORY SYSTEM, FULLY AUTOMATIC | BC4057 |
$6,342.00 |
| 18-42440 | BC-3613-2G-0 OBOE OUTFIT, GREENLINE PROFESSIONAL MODEL, 3 8va KEYS, DOUBLE F KEY, SEMI-ATUOMATIC, SPECIAL ORDER | BC3613-2G |
$13,242.00 |
| 18-42445 | BC-3613-2-0 OBOE OUTFIT, GRENADILLA WOOD PROFESSIONAL MODEL, 3 8va KEYS, DOUBLE F KEY, SEMI-ATUOMATIC, SPECIAL ORDER | BC3613-2 |
$13,242.00 |
| 18-BC3643-2G-0 | SPECIAL ORDER ONLY: BUFFET ARTIST MODEL OBOE OUTFIT, GREENLINE, 3 8va KEYS, DOUBLE F KEY, THUMB-PLATE, FULLY AUTOMATIC | BC3643-2G |
$14,875.00 |
Buffet BC4051-2-0 (two ocatave keys, semi-automatic) in case.
Detail of octave keys (one on side, one on back), BC4051 oboe.
Detail of octave keys, 18-42430 Buffet BC4052 oboe. Note extra key and adjusting screw.
Detail of bell showing low Bb key assembly, 18-42420 and 18-42430.
P-PT.SB 1 Patricola SB1 Oboe in case.
Detail of bell showing vent key for low Bb, Patricola SB1 oboe.
PATRICOLA OBOES |
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| P-PT.SB 1 | Student – Semi-Automatic System | SB 1 |
$7,125.00 |
| P-PT.SC 1 | Semi Professional – Semi-Automatic Conservatiore + 3rd Oct. | SC 1 |
$8,735.00 |
| P-PT.1 S6 | Professional – Semi-Automatic System | S6 |
$13,220.00 |
| P-PT.1 S6EV | Professional Evolution – Semi-Automatic System | S6EV |
$14,945.00 |
Left: 45-50750 Olds student oboe NA492 (range to low B: note lack of key on bell section).
Right: 45-50760 Olds intermediate oboe NL1123F (range to low Bb but without venting).
F. E. OLDS OBOES - By special order only. |
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| 45-50750 | NA492 Student Basic Conservatory Low B | NA492 |
$3,195.00 |
| 45-50755 | NL1123 Adv Student Modified Conservatory Low Bb | NL1123 |
$3,595.00 |
| 45-50760 | NL1123F Intermediate - Modified Conservatory Low Bb | NL1123F |
$5,575.00 |
| 45-50765 | NL1120 Professional Full Conservatory Low Bb | NL1120 |
$7,575.00 |
| 45-50780 | NL1104 Professional Full Conservatory Low Bb | NL1104 |
$8,695.00 |
OLDS OBOE FEATURES FOR THE ABOVE MODELS:
| NA492 | STUDENT model, ABS plastic, bored, wood-grain finish, undercut tone holes, 2nd C-D trill, adjustable C-C#,low B, basic conservatory system, bell ring, case |
| NL1123 | ADVANCED STUDENT model, plastic, bored, wood-grain finish, undercut tone holes, low Bb, modified conservatory system, full range, case |
| NL1123F | INTERMEDIATE model, plastic, bored, wood-grain finish, undercut tone holes, low Bb, modified conservatory system, forked F resonance key, full range, deluxe case |
| NL1120 | PROFESSIONAL model, plastic, bored, wood-grain finish, undercut tone holes, low Bb, full conservatory system, forked F resonance key, Ab-Bb/G#-A trill, D#-E trill, auxiliary C, left-hand C-D trill, deluxe wood case |
| NL1104 | PROFESSIONAL model, plastic, bored, wood-grain finish, undercut tone holes, low Bb, full conservatory system, forked F resonance key, Ab-Bb/G#-A trill, auxiliary C, left-hand C-D trill, left-hand F, low B-C# articulation, deluxe wood case |
RANGE: The range of the modern professional oboe is from Bb below middle-C to high G (and sometimes A) above high C.
That is: 
Student oboes usually don't have the low Bb key. Instead, the bell has a pair of vent holes (to prevent low Bb sounding instead of low B). It is rumoured that the low Bb can be achieved by blocking these holes with the sides of the knees while playing the low B (a girl told me at a party - honestly...).
Reproduction of Classical period oboe by Sand Dalton. Note the lack of keys, although it has more than on the Baroque oboe.
AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS
To play the higher notes in tune and have them "speak" properly, the oboe needs two or three vent holes at the top (each in a slightly different position). These holes are opened by means of two (or sometimes three) keys operated by the player's left hand. (See illustrations above.) In an "ideal" situation, there would be a vent hole for each note in the range so that each note would play the octave perfectly. This would be impossible to actually use (at least 12 keys to choose from) and would leave the top section of the instrument with more holes than wood and a mass of mechanical bits and pieces.
On a Semi-automatic system, both of the normal octave keys are present, and the side key can be used independently of the thumb key, but it is closed when the thumb key vent is open (that is, when the thumb key is pressed).
On a fully-automatic system, the oboe has a single octave key (like on a saxophone), which means that the side octave key is not present, though the mechanism, pad and vent hole are still there. The octave key mechanism normally operated by the side key is operated by means of an articulated system of inter-locking levers so that it is open when the other hole is closed, and closed when the other hole is open. The only limitation of the fully-automatic system is that when it is present some fingerings and special notes which rely on the player being able to use the "wrong" octave key for a particular note are not possible. Modern refinements to the system make it less likely to go out of adjustment.
The third octave key makes certain notes at the top of the range speak more easily and play more in tune, but on many models it can be de-activated using the adjustment screw shown above in the photograph. It's nice to have the option...
http://www.oboesforidgets.com/glossary.htm and other sites on the web have some useful info for further reading. Be careful as some American sites have surprisingly little information about some of the more well-known European brands.
Photo shows the Thumbplate system with two octave keys (on a secondhand instrument).
This is available as an
option added to the conservatoire system on Buffet-Crampon and Patricola instruments by special order.
There are two styles of oboes currently used:
The Conservatoire System (also called Conservatory or French Conservatory System in the USA) was developed in the early part of the 19th Century and uses key cups and pads (some with small holes through them) to cover the tone-holes on the body of the instrument. It is based on the flute key system developed by Boehm. The Buffet, Patricola and Olds oboes featured on this page use this system. Used everywhere other than the UK, where the Dual System is prevelant.
The English or Thumbplate System originally had more of the appearance of the clarinet, having open holes and rings rather than key cups with pads on the six main tone-holes. The modern English system uses a combination of ring-keys and solid key-cups but retains the thumbplate at the back and is therefore known as the Dual System. This system uses a few different fingerings to the Conservatoire system and is used mainly in the UK. It was also used in Australia up until the 1960s or so, when it was replaced by the Conservatoire system. The thumbplate key is similar in function to the thumb hole on the recorder. The notes C is made by having the first finger down on the left hand and releasing the thumb plate. This seems less counter-intuitive to flautists, clarinetists and saxophonists than the conservatoire system fingering, where the first finger of the right hand is added to make the note go higher. The thumb plate key is pushed down to then make the Bb note.
The Simplified Conservatoire system has a number of the trill keys removed - this makes it more affordable and easier to keep regulated for beginners.
To prevent corrosion, wipe the keywork with a dry polishing cloth after use.
Always use the Buffet Crampon case provided for the instrument. Too tight or too loose a case may cause bending of keys.
Under no circumstances should you use oil, solvents or anti-corrosive products on the body of the instrument. Get your repair technician to oil the body and keywork when it becomes necessary. Regular servicing by a qualified technician will ensure that your instrument has a long and happy life.
