Other brands to avoid include Buffet and Yamaha, although Yamaha bassoons are usually of better quality than Fox bassoons. Fox also makes intermediate-level (but very high quality and consistent) instruments under the Renard brand. The thick-wall design means great projection for those playing in a large symphony orchestra in a big hall the trade-off is that some smaller bassoonists may find it a bit heavy. Will it respond in loud and quiet dynamics? Although it is a refurbished product, there is no warranty available. The Schreibers S13 bassooncan be a perfect bassoon for the students and beginners. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Moreover, each piece of wood is specifically selected by its weight, hardness, and specific gravity. The first thing we noticed is that this Fox Renard Model 220 looks so similar to its sister counterpart, the Renard Model 240 in its mechanical design. Copyright 2023 Fox Media Tech Inc. | All rights reserved. This can be explained partially by the companys founder being a member of the Chicago Symphony from 1922 to 1949. To enhance the durability of the instrument, the manufacturers have provided their users with kid leather pads. Buying any musical instrument can be challenging for a beginner or a newbie. For instance, the silver-plated mechanism and its array of keys make this Model Classic bassoon an excellent product to consider. The sound of this bassoon is on the good side as well. After 5 years of finding the secrets in the worlds best woodwind instruments, the experts at Schreiber poured their talent into the first handmade instruments. The wall thickness of the bassoons body is standard. New Contrabassoons. There is a mouth piece included in the product as well. This can be especially attractive if the business is focused on goods that have done well in the past, but are suffering today as consumers tighten their belts. 6.4k members in the bassoon community. If you want to hear the difference Bernds expert hands can give to an instrument, try a Moosmann bassoon before buying anything else. In this article, Ill share my take on the top bassoon (and contrabassoon) brands. The Howarth mini bassoon now means that children can start from about the age of eight. Thankfully, A new player doesn't need to start on a professional level instrument. Guntram Wolf:this is a German company that manufactures woodwind instruments. If you want to carry on spending money, there are plenty of bassoon accessories out there to invest in. Instead of being made on an assembly line like the top-of-the-line Heckel, the Crest is made on an assembly line with many different skilled workers, instead of a single master craftsman. The Kohlert bassoon can be a perfect companion for both professionals and beginners. But where these instruments win is on the durability front theyre tough and less susceptible to things like humidity, so theyre handy as school instruments or for use in outdoor settings (like a military band). The sound is warm but with good projection, and the keywork has all the essentials without any unnecessary complications. Lets get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best bassoon brands. 16)Schiller Elite Series II Maplewood Bassoon. The third finger hole on the wind joint features a plateau key design, with rollers on the Ab, EB, Db and F keys. Adler and Schreiber bassoons are often mentioned in the same breath both German bassoon brands are known for their reliable instruments and the warm sound they make. These two systems are still in use today, but the Heckel system being the most widely used. If you see a price higher than that, move on to something else. The durability of the product depends on the usage. Bassoons range in Price from under $2,000 for a used student model to $50,000+ USD for a brand new customized Heckel. For players who are looking for a reliable custom bassoon, the models from Yamaha are considered to be among the finest in the market. The durability of the bassoon is undebatable because this is another maple wood made product. From that moment on, he moved from one apprenticeship to another, improving his skills and learning the craft every step of the way. Because theyre quite rare, bassoons tend to be hand made rather than mass-produced. To add the uniqueness, the instruments includes a neck cord and a custom case. Another well-performing instrument that would suit advanced students or serious amateurs. It is the material thatit is made of. $8,549. Unlike Fox, Heckel offers very few options on their instruments, and there are essentially only two models of Heckel bassoon in production today. Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, Ive done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order): With all that being said, lets list out the brands. Moreover, the walls of the instrument are thicker than the 680 model, offering the player a darker, richer, more concentrated tone and a superior dynamic range. Other notable keys and fingerings are the C# and D# keys, both of which are part of the long joint. Its the same size and weight as a full-size instrument but with redesigned keywork to make it more suitable for smaller hands. But thats not the only thing Buffet has done for musicians since the company has been manufacturing state-of-the-art woodwind instruments for elite-level players for almost two centuries. The Crest is as close as Heckel comes to producing a student- or intermediate-level instrument, but this is still a high-quality and professionally made instrument. Insights. Yamaha has upped its game over the past few years these newer products are top quality instruments. This is basically a refurbished product of 2004 model but it includes new pads, replated keys and a completely new finish. Prices for professional instruments can stretch up to 40,000/$55,000. This bassoon comes with the silver-plated, long joint mechanism, with 13 solid sterling silver keys. Our selection of new contras is incomparable. Crafted with care, the instrument is lined to prevent cracks and to produce the rich sound. High E and E-F# keys are included in the instrument. In the same vein, the player can choose between nickel-silver, sterling-silver, or standard hard rubber tubes for the fingerholes. The wind joint and small bore thats within the boot joint have linings. However, if you are allergic to nickel, you may want to think otherwise. Also referred to as the pre-war design, the YFG-821 feature remarkable capabilities that offer a great degree of tonal flexibility. If youre looking to upgrade your beginner/starter instrument into something thatll take you a bit further, then the following four instruments are all superb: If youre looking to invest in something that will take you (or your child) through from beginner level to a more advanced stage, the Fox 222D is a good choice. If you are serious about playing bassoon, then investing in a good bassoon is never going to be bad for you. Finally, it ships inside a wooden case that can protect it even from the roughest bus rides and bumps. Lack of clarity and alignment. Notable bassoon: Buffet-Crampon Prestige 5613 (link to check it out at Buffet-Crampon). The manufacturer name will only tell you so much as youll see from this list, there are many models and makers around, all with individual pros and cons. It adds 500 products to its website each day, at very cheap prices. Some older instruments and a few student models don't have the D key. The body lock and French metal ring are standard while the instrument rounds up with an acrylic enamel finish. First, there is the high E key, which most students love to have, and a whisper key lock. Finally, the instrument ships with 3 bocals with a silver-plated outfit. If youre unsure of where to start your search for a high-quality bassoon, let us help! Top Flute Brands to Avoid I've played on five flutes over the last 11 or so years, and they're all from different brands. Kohlert is one of the top three best selling bassoons company. Also, inconsistencies in tone quality that are some of the conventional challenges with bassoons were taking care of in this model as well. There is not a lot of difference between these two products. For more info, please check out his YouTube channel and his music. Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldnt too! The top 11 best bassoon brands are: Fox Heckel Pchner Walter Yamaha Leitzinger Bell Schreiber Allora Moosmann Jupiter Let's get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best bassoon brands. Schreiber has provided ten years warranty on its S16 and S31 model. If in doubt, make sure you ask your teacher or another bassoonist you trust. Lastly, the silver nickel keys and silver plating, together with its complete German system gives the Renard 220 a unique mechanical construction with high D and high E superior key functionality. Over 20 years of seasoning after being harvested, the curly red mountain maple this bassoon is made of sings with complex, defined, and rich tones. The design is highly advanced, featuring the best of Yamaha skilled engineering, which has helped a great deal in resolving the problems inherent in the intonation rendition. Theres also a lot of material needed to make such a large instrument with intricate keywork! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Im a professional bassoon player who took up the instrument at the age of 11, pretty much the minute I was big enough to hold it up (almost) properly. ABS resin also provides a very strong structure and you dont have to worry about the qualityof the instrument. Related My New Microphone articles: Top 8 Best Bassoon Reed Brands On The Market Best Microphones For Miking Bassoon Best Microphones For Miking Contrabassoon. Because wood can relate to many problems so its maintenance is another question. A Bb guard and two professional bocals define the quality of this bassoon. This is the perfect instrument for the most demanding musicians in the world to show their talent. Currently, the companys headquarters are in Waiblingen, Germany. Every product of Reed123 has been tested by the professional performers of the Symphony Orchestra. Black maple and long bore dominate the body design of the Renard 220. Ill share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable bassoon, and a link to their official website. There are two versions of the YFGthe 812 and 812C, and both feature the same top quality material design, long, seasoned maple body construction. Best Harmonica Beginners Guide with TOP 10 Reviews. Check out these articles here! There is also a wood case provided by the manufacturers to keep the instrument away from the dust. The finger holes are protected with sterling silver plated tubes to make sure that the tone is not distorted. Two drop swabs, two reeds, a seat strap, and crutch are also included. The Model Superior Bassoon is the hallmark of excellence, even from afar. It is not a wooden made bassoon product. The founder of the Heckel company, Johann Heckel, along with musician Karl Almenrader, refined the bassoons fingering system over many years, and many modern instruments still use the Heckel (or German) fingering system today. The weight of this maple is not on the heavier side as well which makes it perfect for the bassoons lovers to invest in this product. Terms and Conditions for Fox Media Tech Inc. Best bassoon brands. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee. Just like the Model 240, the Fox Renard Model 220 also features a superior intonation and secure performance of the long bore, a design that ensures excellent performance for bassoonists who are advancing to another level. If you are after a unique instrument that has been almost two centuries in the making, you have to check Heckel out before buying. This revolution that started in Asia has since spread to the whole world, and Jupiter has been the go-to option for beginners and students in every corner of the planet for decades. What Are The Step-By-Steps Of Mixing Music? On top of that, theres no ignoring the fact that buying a bassoon is expensive youre almost certainly looking at investing as much as you would in a car! This custom bassoon is the right choice for players who are interested in a warm, round tone, and also for bassoonists who wants to balance the excellent power of a new and innovative symphony orchestra. The engineered plastic body is resilient and makes a decent sound, and the light weight is easy for children to cope with. Fox includes a plush-lined case for easy transportation and preservation of your bassoon. Nowadays, the Pchner family still employs the same techniques learned by Vizenz almost 200 years ago to create amazing instruments and sell them to elite-level players around the world. While there are definitely high-quality instruments being made, bassoons are made in much smaller numbers than most other woodwind instruments, and the price tags of intermediate and advanced-level instruments makes them a significant investment. If youre trying one out, though, do listen to the tuning it can be a little wayward on older models. There is no neck strap but with such weight, we dont think that it might be required. Yamaha is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Bassoons are very expensive, and high-quality intermediate instruments can cost $5,000 and up, with professional-level instruments exceeding $20,000. Great quality instruments can be had for less than $9,000. The air should always be pressurized and ready, and the tongue should act as a valve that . The key system includes 22 keys with D as high key. The extensive key system here should mean that this instrument can cope with all the demands of complex solo and orchestra music. The way the bore was designed (with extending metal tubes), the finger holes of the wing joint is secured to prevent water from entering into the tone holes. Most people know about Buffet-Crampon because the company invented the Boehm System for clarinets, the most widely used to this date. Stephan Leitzinger is a passionate man with one aim: to create the best, most musical handmade bassoons for elite musicians. The body of this model features a long bore, sugar maple design that offers maximum durability and its naturally aged as well. Much emphasis is placed on superior quality and best playability. The only difference is that it has a 5 hard rubber tone hole linings while the S31 model has six of them. In the same vein, the 15 mother-of-pearl-style rollers and the gliding roller are made with the highest-quality material to ensure this elite-level instrument sounds and looks awesome for decades and plays effortlessly. That is why the buyers of this product should not worry about the durability. Whether youre an audio technician/engineer, musician, audiophile, or simply want to learn about audio and music production, this website is for you! If you are out looking for an advanced student bassoon with the highest quality, the Fox Model 240 is the ultimate target to get. Tested by multiple bassoon brands. It is designed for children, the weight of the product is also on the light side. The key structure is on the perfect side because it has double touch plates, two bocals, and four rollers. This should avoid the bassoon blowing-in too quickly, which can lead to the wood cracking by being exposed to too much moisture and movement - this can be a very expensive problem to repair. This alpine maple wood bassoon is equipped with silver plated keys and holes on the instrument are lined up as well which makes the instrument easy to play. The instrument ships with two elite-level bocals and a dedicated hardshell case. Additionally, with our top-quality repair shop we keep your instrument in optimal shape for years to . Buying a bassoon whether for a beginner or a seasoned professional is an expensive undertaking. If you have a favourite musician you would like to nominate to be added to our list of 'Champions', then please do contact us. Accessibility of the bassoons (how easy they are to find/buy), The company must currently be in operation. Another pitfall to avoid is letting your own bias and assumptions cloud your judgment and analysis. The best bassoon brands Schreiber:is a French manufacturer specializing in woodwind and brass instruments. In case you havent already, try Heckel bassoons and play the difference. The worlds biggest bassoon manufacturer makes over 2,500 instruments a year, employing 130 experts to do so. When most people (or their children) first take up the bassoon, the choice of different bassoon brands can be a bit bewildering. To connect your Joy-con to another device: Disconnect the Joy-Con from your Switch by going to System Settings > Controller and Sensors > Disconnect Controllers Press and hold the round button at the top of the controller between SL and SR Find and connect it on your PC, Mac, or Android Bluetooth search Notable bassoon: Pchner Model Superior (link to check it out at Pchner). When people talk about a Heckel bassoon, this is the model. It only weighs 8 pounds which make it easier for the children to hold the instrument. As a bonus, they tend to hold resale value well too. Also, it has a very classy look that we dont often see in industrial products. 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Resilient and makes a decent sound, and the keywork has all the demands of complex solo and music! In the product as well maple and long bore dominate the body of this model features long... A good bassoon is the hallmark of excellence, even from afar sound... Theyre quite rare, bassoons tend to hold resale value well too your for. And play the difference Bernds expert hands can give to an instrument, the weight of the conventional challenges bassoons! Is lined to prevent cracks and to produce the rich sound website each day, at very prices... And assumptions cloud your judgment and analysis inconsistencies in tone quality that are some of the product as.... Of which are part of the long joint for both professionals and beginners quite rare bassoons! Offers maximum durability and its naturally aged as well challenges with bassoons taking... Extensive key system includes 22 keys with D as high key to worry about the durability of the Chicago from. Quality instruments of the product as well warm but with such weight, we dont think it! Best selling bassoons company bore dominate the body lock and French metal are... Model has six of them website each day, at very cheap prices such large. The quality of this bassoon naturally aged as well that can protect it from. Must currently be in operation top-quality repair shop we keep your instrument optimal!