Yamaha's oboe division has been steadily improving since the 1990s and their YOB-441 model eventually tied the Fox 330 as my favorite student instrument to recommend.
It also has all the necessary keywork that a student oboist may need, especially the crucial left F and low Bb that are not always standard on lower level student models. While it is technically a plastic oboe, it is of a much higher quality resin than most plastic oboes, and can compete with similar wooden horns for tone quality. I used to always recommend the Fox Renard 330 Artist, and still do. My choice of student oboe has shifted in the last decade or two, due to some recent innovations at both Yamaha and Howarth.
Skip to: Student Oboes Student Bassoons Professional Oboes Professional Bassoons (and if you're going to spend a lot of money on an instrument, it's probably worth the time to read all of this.) OR any other professional model you try, have inspected by a professional, and like Instrument Buying Guide The Short Version Bio Performances Recordings Resources Study
