This was my oboe, played in pit orchestras, when I got calls for it. Serial number starts with I; though it could be an H: over time, the serial letter prefix rubs off.
So, you're buying an oboe from an oboe player, not a guy who runs a pawn shop.
I'm packing in the oboe...I don't play it enough to justify keeping it and trying to keep my chops up and work reeds is just too much, on top of my other instruments (I'm typically hired for clarinet).
Loree went through a period where the quality went downhill. According to Peter Hurd (an expert in this area...see oboes.us) 'Loree was (finally) back on track to making good oboes nearthe beginning of the H series.Loree went through a 'Dark Ages' from about thelate D series through to near the end of the G series-they made a plethora of 'lemons' during thatperiod.

Loree accomplished some of their very best workever (and some of my favorite work) during the I series...and this horn really speaks to that work.
Has a beautiful sound; very easy to play (if 'easy' could ever be said in the same sentence as 'oboe') with a sweet, even tone that blends very well and is right on tuning.

I had the instrument overhauled last year with all new pads and corks.
Comes in the original Loree case along with a Cavallerro case cover. Case is a bit beat up and I bought a . I'm also including a wood case I bought from Forrests music, an oboe reed case and some of my oboe reeds (I prefer the German style, but you decide).