The best replacement for oboe is bassoon.

The best alternatives to oboe are rated as following:
★★★★★  bassoon
★★★★★  clarinet
★★★  flute
★★★  english horn
★★  saxophone
★  french horn
★  clarinet higher
★  sax
★  bongo
★  soprano sax
  basson
  bassoon harder
  conga
  cello

Your alternative for oboe is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about oboe, one probably shouldn't forget about string quartet.

Other search terms related to oboe and their ratings are:
★★★★★ string quartet
an oboe
You have in mind a companion for oboe and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of oboe in all years. Click on graph for more.
oboe
bassoon
clarinet