The Josef Helios offers a marvelous balance of sweetness, warmth, and projection. Featuring the signature dark, focused sound of Josef oboes, the Helios has a particularly sweet and singing quality while retaining a rich, covered tone and excellent projection.

The Helios was designed to offer exceptional ease of response, particularly in the low register. Low notes speak easily, even at very soft dynamics, making it an especially responsive and expressive instrument.

Like other Josef oboes, the Helios features an excellent scale and a beautifully centered, focused sound. Its distinctive tonal character combines the warmth and depth desired by professional oboists with a lovely sweetness and flexibility.

Features:

• Grenadilla wood body with beautiful natural luster
• Silver keywork
• Semi-automatic conservatory system
• Sweet, singing tonal quality with a dark, focused core
• Excellent projection and a rich, covered sound
• Exceptional low-register response, including at soft dynamics
• Excellent scale and intonation

The oboe comes in its Josef suspension-style case, which supports the instrument at either end rather than relying on gravity to hold it in place, providing an additional measure of protection. Also included are a Josef microfiber polishing cloth and a hygrometer (added to the case by Smith Oboes).

Keywork Specifications – Semi-Automatic Conservatory System:

• Left-hand F
• Low B-flat
• Third-octave key
• Banana key
• Split-ring D
• Right-hand A-flat trill
• Forked F resonance

This is a new instrument and a wonderful opportunity for an oboist looking for the rich sound, craftsmanship, and playability of a Josef Helios.