My daughter has decided to part with her beloved first oboe in order to help defray the costs of college. This Yamaha YOB-241 is the ideal beginner oboe. The quality of the resin material, it's ability to produce excellent tone and consistency in sound makes it comparable to more expensive instruments. We purchased it new in 2007. The bore design is like that of the professional model YOB-841. The YOB-241 does not have the F natural key or low Bb key but the playability and quality make it a wise choice for the beginner. This model instrument now sells for $2700; we purchased this model for $2200 in 2007. I truly think my daughter progressed so well on the oboe because we began with this quality instrument. The school supplied oboe was unplayable in comparison. This oboe helped my daughter to make many honor bands in her first years of playing the oboe; hopefully with hard work the luck will pass to its next owner. :)