Drifters' intro missing instruments (5)
I believe the answer is:
oboes
'instruments' is the definition.
(oboe is a kind of instrument)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oboes that I've seen before include "Parts of orchestra" , "Wind instruments" , "members of orchestra" , "Reed instruments" , "noted producers" .)