Howarth professional oboes have been developed to fulfill the demands and expectations of the world’s finest players. Handmade by their most experienced craftsmen, the accuracy and fine tolerances used during the manufacturing stage give a clean, quick action allowing a musician to play with confidence.

Howarth professional oboes are available in Grenadilla (African Blackwood) or Cocobolo. The density of Grenadilla gives a dark and powerful sound, enhancing the projection. Cocobolo is a lighter, lower density wood that produces a warm and rich palette. These professional oboes have metal socket liners and metal sleeved tenons, offering greater protection and durability to the instrument and better mechanical security. The keywork is finished in a generous layer of silver plate.

The XL has a large bore and the wall thickness has been developed to give a big sound with classical projection. The LXV is the newest oboe in the Howarth collection; it combines the thicker walls of the XL with the smaller bore of the XM for a powerful projection as well as dark sound.

Howarth professional oboes are supplied in a bespoke solid wood case lined with green velvet and a case cover, Howarth accessories included.

Technical Specification

– Full Conservatory System
– Semi-Automatic Octaves
– 3rd Octave Key
– C-D Trill Key (x 2)
– C-C# Trill Key
– Forked F vent
– Extra trill mechanisms (Ab-Bb, Ab-A)
– “Banana Key” – low C-C# trill
– Eb-E trill mechanism
– Articulated C# mechanism
– Philadelphia D (double adjusting screw on C touch piece)
– Metal-lined tenon sockets and sleeved tenons
– Undercut tone holes
– Low Bb vent
– Adjustable Thumbrest
– Available with partially lined top joint, delrin top joint, or ebonite (solid color or jazz swirl) top joint.

Call for details/availability.