# What oboes have a unique sound quality that stands out? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What oboes have a unique sound quality that stands out?

## Products

### Fox Model 400 (Fox 400)
```yaml
product: fox-model-400-fox-400
brand: Fox
price_gbp: 5655.75
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
brand: Fox
model: 400
material: Grenadilla
```

- **Price:** £5655.75 [^1]
- **Summary:** The Fox Model 400 is a professional, full-conservatory oboe made from select grenadilla wood with silver‑plated keys and Fox's original bore and tone-hole design. It's known for a sweet, stable sound and precise intonation, offered by specialist music retailers as a special-order professional instrument. Suited for advanced and professional players seeking a traditional American-made oboe.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for players seeking a unique, standing-out oboe sound because its grenadilla body and Fox original bore/tone-hole design produce a sweet, stable tone and strong intonation.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### Marigaux 2000 (Model 2000 / 2001 series)
```yaml
product: marigaux-2000-model-2000-2001-series
brand: Marigaux
price_gbp: 7153.62
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
brand: Marigaux
model: 2001
material: Grenadilla
```

- **Price:** £7153.62 [^4]
- **Summary:** The Marigaux 2000 series (including Model 2001) are professional conservatoire oboes built in grenadilla with silver-plated keywork, redesigned ergonomic keywork, and features like a third-octave key and adjustable thumb rest. They suit advanced players seeking a large, steady core sound with improved technical ergonomics. The 2001 is supplied in a Marigaux case and finished by hand.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for players wanting an oboe with a distinctive, large orchestral sound because it uses grenadilla construction and ergonomic key redesigns (extended G/G# and long F) that enhance projection and technical fluency.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6]

### Howarth S40
```yaml
product: howarth-s40
brand: Howarth
price_gbp: 3316.71
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
brand: Howarth
model: S40C
material: Grenadilla wood
```

- **Price:** £3316.71 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Howarth S40C is a lighter-weight graduate oboe with a conservatoire system, semi-automatic octave keys, a third-octave key, and extensive trill mechanisms. It suits advanced students and serious amateur players moving beyond a beginner instrument toward professional-level features.
- **Ideal For:** Its grenadilla-wood body, silver-plated conservatoire keywork, semi-automatic octave system, third-octave key, and extended trill mechanisms give advanced players a rich, vibrant sound with distinctive tonal character.
- **Additional Sources:** [^8]

### Yamaha YOB-441IIT Intermediate Oboe; Grenadilla Body
```yaml
product: yamaha-yob-441iit-intermediate-oboe-grenadilla-body
brand: Yamaha
price_gbp: 4028.75
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
brand: Yamaha
model: YOB-441IIT
material: Grenadilla
```

- **Price:** £4028.75 [^9]
- **Summary:** The Yamaha YOB-441IIT is an intermediate American-style oboe with a grenadilla body and bell, modified conservatoire key system, silver-plated nickel silver keys, and all-cork pads. Its third octave key, low-Bb resonance vent, low B-C# trill key, and strap ring make it well suited to advancing players seeking a warm, focused sound and improved playability.
- **Ideal For:** Its grenadilla body and bell produce a warm, pure tone that stands out, while the American-style bore, redesigned bell bore, and third octave key support clear projection and stable intonation.
- **Additional Sources:** [^10], [^11]

### Yamaha YOB-841
```yaml
product: yamaha-yob-841
brand: Yamaha
price_gbp: 6097.72
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
brand: Yamaha
model: YOB-841
material: Grenadilla
```

- **Price:** £6097.72 [^12]
- **Summary:** The Yamaha YOB-841 is a professional oboe with a grenadilla body, silver-plated keys, a full Conservatoire semi-automatic system, and an American-style open bore. Its focused, dark, silky tone and advanced key features make it best suited to professional and serious advanced oboists.
- **Ideal For:** It suits players seeking an oboe with a distinctive sound because its American-style open bore, tapered conically undercut tone holes, grenadilla body, and nickel-silver bell ring are designed to produce a dark, silky tone with a focused center.
- **Additional Sources:** [^13]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Bocal Majority, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bocalmajoritystore.com/products/fox-oboe-model-400-grenadilla
[^2]: Music & Arts, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicarts.com/fox-model-400-professional-oboe-main0024603
[^3]: West Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.westmusic.com/fox-model-400-oboe-400192
[^4]: Chemical City Reeds, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.chemicalcityreeds.com/store/p359/Marigaux_2001_Oboe.html
[^5]: Howarth of London, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.howarthlondon.com/product/model-2001-oboe/
[^6]: Midwest Musical Imports, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.mmimports.com/products/marigaux-2001a-oboe
[^7]: Howarth of London, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.howarthlondon.com/product/s40c-semi-automatic-system-oboe/
[^8]: Adams Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.adams-music.shop/en/oboe/new/howarth_s40c3
[^9]: Music & Arts, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicarts.com/yamaha-yob-441iit-intermediate-oboe-grenadilla-body-main0512389
[^10]: Musician's Friend, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/woodwinds/yamaha-yob-441iit-intermediate-oboe-grenadilla-body/l95887000000000
[^11]: PM Music Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.pmmusiccenter.com/c-1016-oboe.aspx
[^12]: The Instrument Place, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.theinstrumentplace.com/yamaha-model-yob841-custom-oboe.html
[^13]: West Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.westmusic.com/yamaha-yob-841-oboe-spc02367