5 Heckel bassoons - behind the scenes

We currently have five interesting Heckel #bassoons going through our workshop - a 14000 series, two 9000 series, a 6000 series and a 5000 series. Take a look behind the scenes to learn a little about these instruments and what we're doing with them!

[@soundslikeben]

I would love to hear what a leaky bassoon sounds like before and after repair. It may help people learn how to tell if their instrument has a leak.

[@thecatspajamas8918]

I play a 12,000. I’m the original owner, receiving it in 1982. The wait time at that time was about 18 months.

[@tgb9531]

My teacher once said that the [minor] leaks and the concommitant resistance in Heckels were a part of their constituent sound, as opposed to the very tightly sealed bassoons one might find at the time (1970s). He owned a Heckel that had spent years lying on the top of a piano (he didn't leave it like that!). It was a beautiful instrument visually and aurally. Of course, he had something to do with the latter 😉 Myself, I have a rather well sealed non-Heckel that I enjoy playing. tgb

[@trainliker100]

The wait time to buy a new Heckel bassoon has been steadily climbing over the years. Some years back when I looked the waiting time was 52 weeks and pretty soon it was 5 years. I believe the wait time now might be about 8 years.

[@adolfoleongomez4631]

Colección maravillosa!!!

[@meganluke444]

As a High school student, my Bassoon teacher had a probably leaky Heckel, 5000 series. It was stuffy and hard to play. Much later on, I acquired a 6000 series that has been overhauled and refinished in the 90's. It played easily, had a great sound and was fully in tune in all registers. The second bassoonist had a 5000 series Heckel, unrestored that had a weak tone and a B flat that was a quartertone flat. That bassoon could have used your help.

[@chochonio14]

What’s the webpage???

[@liuliu1699]

Seek your advice! Heckel 3k , is it good for students as learning instrument ? And if I want to get it, it can be performing ?

[@bjarkeschousboe8715]

Would personally go for a newer, more stable instrument. Not necessarily a heckel:)