r/oboe • u/traveling_gal • 7d ago
Bell ring fell off
I have a Lorée oboe that I bought new in 1986. This past Saturday I played a double concert, and as I was getting ready for the evening show I noticed that my bell ring was missing! Thankfully I found it in the green room. I put it in my case until I got home, and played the second concert without it. I checked for cracks before and after the concert and don't see any.
I remember the ring falling off once while I was still in high school when the instrument was about a year old. My teacher just worked it back on carefully by hand, checked for cracks, and told me it happened because the wood shrinks in our dry climate (Colorado). The ring has always been a bit loose since then, but has never fallen off again until Saturday.
Do I need to do anything special with it? I can push it back on with moderate pressure, but I expect it will work its way off again over time. Can I leave it off and continue to play, or does it serve a structural purpose? Is this something a repair shop can adjust so that it fits more snugly?
3
u/No_Doughnut_8393 7d ago
It’s not an important part of the oboe, just decoration and like a bumper for the bell. It sounds like the ring was just not quite right when it was assembled which happens since that’s done by hand. You can put it back yourself or just leave it off if it doesn’t bother you.
2
u/ska-tay 7d ago
A repairman could make it tight again with a die. Not something a music store repair dept would necessarily have. An oboe specialist might but really not worth the trouble. Pop it back on with a few dabs of glue. Not a big deal. Or just leave it off. It does give the edge of the bell some protection so better to have it on but keep an eye on it so you don’t loose it.
-2
u/MandyThursday 7d ago
I think there might be something to do with it being integral to some notes sounding a certain way or dampening certain vibrations. Honestly, I would see if you can get it in place but I also would t be afraid of putting a bit of super glue in the groove where it sits to keep it in place.
3
u/MotherAthlete2998 7d ago
This happened to my oboe in high school. The bell ring is both decorative bland also meant to support the bell as the wood swells. Your oboe will be ok without as many pro oboes do not have the ring. I would recommend you taking the instrument to your repair person. Sometimes they will add a blob of glue to keep it in place. Sometimes they will actually reduce the ring size. I have only heard this could be done and have yet to meet someone that had it done. I think the little spot of glue is the preferred solution.