Howarth XL-VT Professional Oboe, Grenadilla with Plastic Lined Top Joint

This is the top-of-the-line model from Howarth. Initially developed in 1995, these oboes have become the instrument of choice for professional players throughout the world.  Choice pieces of grenadilla wood (dalbergia melanoxylon) are used to make these superior oboes with a synthetic liner in the top joint, and they have a silver-plated mechanism. The XL has a full conservatory system including left F, low Bb, Bb vent, D#-E trill, forked-F resonance, articulated B-C# mechanism, G#-A trill, banana key, Bb-B trill, third octave key, and high Philadelphia D key. These instruments have thick bore walls for a complex sound and expertly undercut tone holes for unparalleled intonation.  The oboe come in a velvet-lined French style case with case cover.
2-year crack and 1-year adjustment warranty included with purchase! Differences between S5 and XL models:Most importantly, the S5 oboes are made primarily for the purpose of orchestral playing, while the XL oboes have more of a soloistic tone quality to them. Both have relatively thick bore walls, but the S5XL's are a bit thicker. The XL model also comes with a few additional  adjustments for fine tuning the mechanism, metal-sleeved tenons with lined sockets, and an adjustable thumbrest.