$550.00
I was recommended to David Weber by my oboe teacher here in Denver in response to persistent tone, response, and intonation problems plauging me since aquiring a Loree B Series. I called his shop with some inquiries and was immediately floored with his knowledge of Loree’s and his generosity with his time. I explained to him my frustrations and he immediately recommended to me his bore adjustments, explaining to me that the technique of returning the bore to it’s orginal demensions is the key to revitalizing the horn that I was beginning to suspect would only be a placeholder while I saved for a newer model.
David extended an invitation to bring my oboe to him for the adjustments and offered to let me hang out with him and learn about his trade. I accepted and traveled to Arizona and experienced to most mind-boggling, overwhelmingly positive change! David spent a wealth of time with me discussing and offering guidance with my reedmaking, explaining many details and techniques that we found were contributing to my problems. Then, he had me test the different joints of his oboe to really get a feel for what kind of changes I could expect from the bore adjustments before taking my oboe and beginning the work.
The very first pass, the very first alteration made, I heard the most INCREDIBLE change. The pitch was stable, the quality and density of tone was beefed up, and the warmth and response were instantaneously improved! It was suddenly not a struggle to support my low stack, my intervals were homogenous, and the purity of sound filled up the shop with a warm rich dark bubble of sound that I have never been able to produce before. And that was only the first pass! David continued to alter the lower joint and bell until the oboe I held in my hand was of the same caliber of oboes that are being sold at up to $10,000!
David proceeded over the next several hours to take the keywork apart and give my Loree some much needed TLC. He fixed several small cracks, replaced corks, aligned keywork, and undid some questionable repairs made by a previous owner. All the while he patiently explained everything he was doing, the tools he was using, and where I could find them to continue my own journey in learning repairs. The oboe that I left the shop with far exceeded my wildest expectations. The highest quality transformation had taken place, and I left David’s shop with a true gem, which just hours before I had believed to be a lost cause just getting me by while I saved for a new oboe!
I implore anyone who struggles with tricky response, with uneven intervals, with flat/dull low notes and thin/sharp high notes, with tuning inconsistency, or a general dissatisfaction with the general purity and quality of sound to call David Weber right now! The results will leave your jaw on the ground! I cannot recommend David Weber enough to any oboist who thinks they need a new Loree, or thinks that their oboe is too old or blown out, or “just not what it used to be.” I was sure this would help my oboe behave in a more forgiving way while I set my sights on a new one, but now that I am back in Denver with my newly-adjusted oboe I am so pleased I would not trade it for the world.
My deepest and most sincere gratitude to the finest craftsmanship, kindness, and hospitality during my trip to Weber Reeds. Call them now, you will not be disappointed!
