AudioFu

Best Oboes for Intermediate 2026

Perfect oboes for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestra For Chamber Music For Classical Performance For Professional Ensembles For Solo Work For Symphony
BRANDS: LaLique Thore
Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra Plus

by Oscar Adler & Co.
Professional Ensembles Orchestra Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive reed sound
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Reed making complexity

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra PlusOboeOrchestra modelSemi-automaticdown to low BFinest selected...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 212249
$8,688
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B Oboe

by Gebrüder Mönnig
Orchestra Classical Performance Solo Work
Key Feature:
• Distinctive reed sound
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive reed sound
  • • Solo capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Reed making complexity
  • • Maintenance challenges

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B OboeOboeProfessional orchestra modelSemi-automaticFinest selected grenadilla woodBore design...

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 362166
$10,614
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon BC4161-2-0 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Buffet Crampon BC4161-2-0 Oboe

by Buffet Crampon
Orchestra Symphony Professional Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Classical standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive
  • • Limited educational access

Buffet Crampon BC4161-2-0 OboeOboeProdige seriesConservatory modelMade of grenadilla (Dalbergia Melanoxylon) with...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 454943
$2,968
Buy at Thomann View Details
LaLique Noteo English Horn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

LaLique Noteo English Horn

by LaLique
Professional Ensembles Solo Work Symphony
Key Feature:
• Professional instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive reed sound
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Requires advanced technique

LaLique Noteo English HornEnglish HornHand-selectedlong seasoned grenadilla woodSemi-automaticTo low BEasy response and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 587837
$4,838
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon BC-4062-2-0 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Buffet Crampon BC-4062-2-0 Oboe

by Buffet Crampon
Classical Performance Professional Ensembles Solo Work
Key Feature:
• Distinctive reed sound
✓ PROS
  • • Classical standard
  • • Solo capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires advanced technique
  • • Very expensive

Buffet Crampon BC-4062-2-0 OboeOboeProdige seriesConservatory modelFrom Grenadilla (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 400946
$4,068
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thore English Horn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Thore English Horn

by Thore
Chamber Music Classical Performance Solo Work
Key Feature:
• Classical standard
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Professional instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive
  • • Requires advanced technique

Thore English HornEnglish HornSemi-automaticMaterial: selected unstained grenadilla woodSilver-plated key systemSpecial...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589375
$10,778
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thore Stella Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Thore Stella Oboe

by Thore
Classical Performance Orchestra Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Professional instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Distinctive reed sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited educational access
  • • Requires advanced technique

Thore Stella OboeOboeProfessional/orchestra modelSemi-automaticSpecial larger professional Thore bore3rd Octave keyLeft...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589374
$5,608
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 Oboe

by Buffet Crampon
Orchestra Solo Work Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Solo capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Distinctive reed sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires advanced technique
  • • Very expensive

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 OboeOboeProdige seriesConservatory modelGrenadilla (Dalbergia Melanoxylon) with synthetic...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 454954
$2,638
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon BC4067-2-0 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Buffet Crampon BC4067-2-0 Oboe

by Buffet Crampon
Symphony Classical Performance Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Reed making complexity
  • • Maintenance challenges

Buffet Crampon BC4067-2-0 OboeOboeConservatory modelFrench fingeringTuning pitch: 440 - 443 HzBody made of Grenadilla...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 567117
$5,224
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe

by Yamaha
Chamber Music Classical Performance Symphony
Key Feature:
• Classical standard
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Classical standard
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Reed making complexity

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe, OboeThe YOB-241 is an affordable oboe made of extremely durable ABS synthetic material. This...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 164226
$1,946
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rigoutat Oboe Riec Semi Automatic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Rigoutat Oboe Riec Semi Automatic

by Rigoutat
Solo Work Orchestra Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Solo capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive reed sound
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Reed making complexity
  • • Very expensive

Rigoutat Oboe Riec Semi AutomaticOboeModel: StudentSemi-automatic3rd octave keyLeft F-leverBody made of grenadilla wood...

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 362163
$5,884
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thore Moderato Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Thore Moderato Oboe

by Thore
Symphony Chamber Music Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Distinctive reed sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Distinctive reed sound
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Limited educational access

Thore Moderato OboeOboeModel for advanced playersSemi-automaticProfessional Thore boreExtended G keyG# and long F...

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589372
$3,904
Buy at Thomann View Details
LaLique Oboe HF40 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

LaLique Oboe HF40

by LaLique
Solo Work Chamber Music Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Classical standard
  • • Distinctive reed sound
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Requires advanced technique

LaLique Oboe HF40OboeSemi-automatic oboeConservatory modelIdeal for advanced playersFrench fingeringMade of grenadilla...

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 537758
$2,078
Buy at Thomann View Details
Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra Model - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra Model

by Oscar Adler & Co.
Solo Work Orchestra Professional Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Distinctive reed sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instruments
  • • Solo capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Reed making complexity
  • • Limited educational access

Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra ModelOboeStandard modelSemi-automaticcovered finger holesDouble octave key3rd...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 433504
$5,004
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YOB-431 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha YOB-431 Oboe

by Yamaha
Solo Work Symphony Classical Performance
Key Feature:
• Classical standard
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive reed sound
  • • Solo capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance challenges
  • • Very expensive

Yamaha YOB-431 OboeOboeSemi-automaticConservatorium system3rd-Octave keyF key leftForked F-resonance keyTrill keys:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 164227
$3,848
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Oboes

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced oboes typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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