Howarth S40C oboe

The Howarth S40C is a graduate model instrument designed for intermediate to advanced level players. An ideal upgrade from student models, the S40C will comfortably take players past Grade 8 to an advanced level.

Lighter in weight than professional model oboes, the keywork on the S40C has many of the same features as a professional level instrument with the dual system allowing a variety of fingerings and trills.

• Grenadilla wood body (Dalbergia melanoxylon)
• Silver plated keywork
• Dual system (conservatoire with thumbplate)
• Semi-automatic octave mechanism
• 3rd octave key
• C/D trill key (upper and lower)
• C/C-sharp trill key
• Forked F vent
• Left hand F key
• Low B/C link
• A-flat/B-flat trill key
• A-flat/A trill key
• Low C/C-sharp trill key ('banana' key)
• Low B-flat vent
• Additional adjusting screws
• Weight: 0.64 kg approx.

The keywork on oboes can be quite varied, unlike the standardized mechanisms of other woodwind instruments. Of the two basic oboe mechanisms, the 'thumbplate' system is used most widely in the UK, and all student oboes purchased here are usually of this type. The alternative is the 'conservatoire' system; and 'dual' systems have characteristics of both. In general, starter instruments have fewer keys to reduce their weight and simplify fingerings. As players advance, the instruments they use have additional keys, offering versatility with a wider choice of fingerings.