Hiniker #49, Cocobolo, gold fittings

This pre-owned Hiniker is a masterpiece of an oboe, handmade in cocobolo. The keywork feels effortless under the fingers, with every key falling exactly where the hand expects it. The silver-plated keywork with gold-plated fittings is classy yet subtle, and the Philadelphia D key and left-hand C# key complete the picture. A durable polymer lining inside the bore stabilizes the wood and helps prevent cracking. Plastic inserts in select tone holes and resonance vents, down to the F resonance vent and the bell’s B-flat resonance vent, protect vulnerable wood edges and preserve precise acoustic dimensions. A rare beauty, with flawless tuning, remarkable stability, and a consistent sound color across the entire range.