My daughter has been playing oboe for almost two years and her teacher has mentioned Fox the most. As I understand it, there's no reason to stay way from the plastic models, especially for beginning, but (just like the sax) you really want one with good mechanics if you're thinking long term. Since even the 'cheap' ones cost so much, you should really think about renting a mid-range one for a few months, while you learn your way around the instrument and form some of your own opinions about what's important. If you're within a few hundred miles, go to Forrest's in Berkeley. They don't even carry the low end, but they're *the* double reed store in Northern CA.