Expert: Geoffrey Bridge - 5/13/2008

Question
I am interested in purchasing a good used english horn for my daughter who is an advanced oboe high school student. She borrowed one this year and they aren't interested in selling. We live in a very rural area so will probably need to look further. Any websites recommend? other suggestions?
THANKS

Answer
Dear Sue

I presume you live in the USA so you would be looking for web sites in your own country.

There are several who would be willing to help your cause and would give you a chance to try them obviously before you buy. I think that you also need to consider the make. If your daughter is quite advanced she would appreciate a good English horn which perhaps will last her a good many years. The makes to consider are Howarth, Loree, Rigoutat, Fossati, Patricola. These are sometimes on the market used and worth going for. I would try for a more recent instrument too as designs have advanced quite a lot in the last few years. A Howarth S20 is a great english horn and of the makes mentioned is the most reasonable in price new. The Loree is good of course but more expensive. You just have to go with what's out there in the time frame that you are looking. I would not be tempted by an old instrument, which might be cheap, just to have possession of one. It really isn't worth it if you are serious about playing it. They will give you a huge amount of grief as they are never working properly and have a lot of poor notes on them. Please avoid those!!

As to dealers- well there are one or two who stand out I think.

Try the following.

www.charlesmusic.com

www.mmimports.com

www.oboeworks.com

www.rdgwoodwinds.com

www.norapost.com

www.mcfarlanddoublereed.com


All these dealers have a good reputation but I think I would try Nora Post in NY state first followed by Pat McFarland. Pat is the english horn player in the Atlanta Orchestra. Having said that all of them are very reliable. It is just their range of instruments might be more extensive.

Best of luck with this. Take your time with it too. No rush, no pain!!!

Geoffrey