Perhaps the most central idea to my repair philosophy is that oboe “blow-out” is largely a myth. As someone who has performed successfully at a high professional level — on Broadway and in world-class ensembles in and around New York city — on Lorée oboes and English horns made as early as the 1930’s (yes, you read that right!), and as a repair technician who has successfully brought many long-discarded oboes “back from the dead,” I firmly believe that the notion of oboes being “played out” within ten years is a misconception caused by poor maintenance and perpetuated by those with a financial interest in the myth (namely, those who stand to profit from the sale of a new oboe.)
While it is certainly true that bores can warp, cracks can (in rare cases) irrevocably harm the playing characteristics of an oboe, and under extreme circumstances an oboe can be permanently harmed by heavy playing over the course of many years, my experience has been that any oboe of reasonably high initial quality is capable of many decades of life so long as it is maintained to a high standard. Unfortunately, I’ve observed that many oboes (even those regularly serviced by repair technicians) are simply unknowingly neglected until they can no longer hold a candle to a brand new instrument without extensive repairs, at which point they are traded in or put into a closet to be kept as a “backup oboe.”
One need only look to the piccolo world to find that the concept of blow-out is not supported by reason. Piccolos are the closest cousin to oboes when it comes to materials, bore size and tonehole sizes, and while they do sometimes require a round of extensive maintenance once they reach a certain age, flutists generally give little, if any credence to the idea that their high-end, handmade piccolo has a limited number of notes in it before it begins to permanently loose its musical value.
This all translates to a few key points that are central to my repair work:
- A long-term preventive philosophy: Oboes should undergo regular, thorough maintenance (not just reactive repairs when something goes obviously wrong). For example, regular removal and replacement of old key oil, which over time becomes loaded with metal particulates (just like motor oil in a car) and abbrates the keywork, is essential, as is careful maintenance of often-neglected mechanical tolerances that wear over time.
- High standards when it comes to mechanical function: Careful attention should be paid to the condition and proper function of the mechanism, which often suffers from neglect or less-than-pristine repair work. This includes not only the condition of pads, bumpers, and the regulation of adjustment screws, but also key-fitting (swaging), key heights, tonehole geometry, and the many mechanical interactions that can go awry as an oboe ages. These aspects are often overlooked in oboes, despite their far greater sensitivity compared with most other woodwinds.
- A philosophy of improvement (not just preservation): In a day and age where many oboe manufacturers have introduced cost-cutting measures at the expense of both initial quality and long-term reliability, and worse, some others are not able to ship their oboes with properly functioning mechanisms in the first place, many instruments can actually be improved beyond their original factory standards over time. By addressing subtle issues and optimizing keywork, regulation, and mechanical interactions, I aim to enhance playability and reliability so the instruments I work on perform at their absolute best.
- A willingness to do work that other qualified oboe specialists won’t: Because I have a genuine interest in vintage instruments and largely reject the concept of oboe “blow-out” I am willing to take on repairs of oboes that would be rejected by the majority of competent oboe specialists; instruments that are old and/or in rough condition that require extensive work to function again.
If you want your oboe to continue performing at its best for many years, regular, thoughtful maintenance is key. I approach every instrument with great care and attention to detail, aiming to return it to peak mechanical condition so it can continue sounding its best for years to come. Whether your oboe is a treasured vintage instrument, brand-new, or something in between, I am here to help it continue performing beautifully and reliably throughout its lifetime.