I'm starting up again after 40 (koff!) years, and this student oboe is exactly what I needed! I talked to a local oboe professor and she suggested a student Yamaha as a good one to jump back in on, and I'm pleased with this one. Nice smooth key action, decent tone. Now I just have to relearn my embrochure! Oh man, is it hard after all these years! My roommate is making fun of me for walking around the house blowing raspberries, but really!
I think Yamaha is an excellent student model.