I also have a 10xxx Heckel., a late 10xxx with so many extra keys. My favorite is the extra low C key which saves my left thumb and wrist from undo strain from having to rotate my wrist to play the regular low C key. I wish that I knew how to make use of my extra keys. When I found this instrument in Milwaukee, the black lacquer finish was quite chipped off and the keys were quite rusted and most of the nickel-silver finish was in bad condition. The gentleman from whom I purchased my Heckel had it for only a few months.when this gentleman had graduated in the mid 60’s with a performance degree, he purchased a “matched pair” of Heckels within a few serial numbers of mine. Months before I had purchased this Heckel, he had seen it listed in the union paper. He bought it sight unseen because because of the serial number. He thought it would be easy with a similar tone quality. He didn’t like all of the extra keys and thought it would be too much work to play well. I saw this gentleman about 16 years later at an IDRS conference. I recognized his voice as the person sitting behind me. I heard him mention to the person next to him that he was writing a book about all of the Heckels he has owned. At that point I turned around and introduced myself as the proud owner of one of his former Heckels. I would love to hear about the extensions you added to your bassoon. FYI, I was was glad my instrument had a metal ring instead of the ivory . I sent my bassoon to Keith Bowen for restoration of the wood and silver keys.along with a total re-pad job.
Erin, I currently play on a 56xx Heckel that is a "World System" that has been heavily modified over the years. I found it on eBay at a very low price and was able to have it put in playing shape by Ken Potsic for very reasonable price. It is maintained by my long-time repairman, Holden McAleer. My previous instrument, which I recently sold, was a 47xx Heckel also found on eBay. Ken Potsic had to completely restore the horn--it's amazing what turns up when one gets into a very old bassoon!--which turned out to be not only a beautiful, but nice playing bassoon. I didn't like its sound as much as my current 56xx, although the 47xx was cosmetically much more attractive. Before the Heckels I played a Fox 201 for about 10 years, and before that a Puechner I had bought new in 1963-- I've been very fortunate in my bassoons, especially as I started on a school-owned wooden Linton, a worse horn than can be imagined! My advice on buying an old bassoon on eBay: be prepared to pay for extensive repairs, and realise it is a real gamble. As Ken said about my Heckels, "well, lightening struck twice!". I have informed him I'm no longer in the "Heckel rescue" business! I'm amazed at the quality and variety of bassoon makers today--much better options than when I started playing!
Indeed. As I mentioned, buying from eBay is a real gable and one has to be prepared to spend freely for repairs, etc. I spent around 8,000 on the 47xx and 3,000 on the 56xx Heckels. I would never recommend buying from eBay for a beginner, parent of a beginner, etc. I also would strongly suggest the buyer consult with her teacher, or if no teacher a local pro, and deal with a reputable company!
Good video! Buying a bassoon is an extremely hard thing to do. The cost is so high ($40k today) that no mistake is permissible, and yet qualities of instruments are all over the map! I also upgraded from a Puchner, and I agree it's just amazing how many dodgy Heckel bassoons there are out there on the used market. I had to try about a dozen Heckel bassoons before finally settling on gorgeous 10,488, from an owner in Canada. This involved shipping them and insuring them all over the country, which was a super complicated and risky business. The repair business has changed a lot over the years. I was able to bring mine to Hans Moennig in Philadelphia, and worked for three days with him in his shop - experience of a lifetime, and a better instrumant as a reward.
I gasped really loud when you mentioned the rot tbh. I'm currently playing on a beat up Linton (cue wincing) from my school (I named her Harriet haha) and I've just sent away an old wooden LaFleur from my school district to get a replacement crutch mount put on. It was missing a lot of pieces when it came into my hands (most notably a seat strap and crutch) so it hasn't been played much yet. I'm excited to start playing on it though!
I'm a woodwind doubler (bm saxophone, mm multiple woodwinds, second mm oboe, and now dma oboe at ccm) but I just bought a moosmann bassoon to replace my old plastic fox. I wish I could afford something really fancy but having all these instruments are expensive :p your videos are really fun! Thanks for sharing all your information!
I am so happy that you're part of our community. And you're right- instruments are expensive! Sounds like you found a keeper in your new bassoon. CONGRATS! :)
I'd love to see a video about your bassoon accessories. I have just started learning bassoon and have been using a Chinese brand bassoon from my school. My dad recently bought a used Selmer Signet Bassoon and i could definitely tell a difference between the two. I've heard that it's not the best but it should definitely take me up to or even through college.
Kris Williams Wow! What type of Chinese brand bassoon was it your school uses? Do you know? They've really developed some cost effective instruments lately! FASCINATING- would love to know more. Was it Wood? So Glad you Have YOUR OWN BASSOON NOW. I like to Name My Instruments- is that weird? Did you Name Yours? ;) Putting the Accessories on the Filming Agenda. Thanks for Watching and Commenting.
Eryn Oft The name on the bell and neck strap says Xinghai. It looks like wood but i'm not really sure. It has a high D key, whisper key lock and the Ab-Bb trill on the boot joint. It also comes with two bocals. It has a few problems though. When i press the whisper key it closes but when I lift my thumb off it doesn't open up again, the thumb f# key has a slow response, the low f key can sometimes get stuck and the Ab-Bb trill works but the tone is very airy doesn't sound very good. Most of these don't affect me too much while playing. I do name some of my instruments:) My cello is named Simon, My flute is named Claudia and my piccolo is Pablo. I have yet to find a name for my new bassoon though. Just know that you're not the only one who likes to name their instruments. :D
Kris Williams Thank you so much for sharing about the bassoon. I haven't heard of the brand before your comment.. and your review is SO HELPFUL. Now I will know what to look for when I bump into one. Thank You! Can't wait to hear what you name your bassoon. My Puchner is Named Blue and my Heckel is Named Bisou. Awh. You're so talented to play so many instruments. I double on flute, too!
Hey! I really like the information here, ended up actually watching it during my scramble to find information on how to fix my bassoon. I found a prewar Kohlert Bassoon for a couple hundred bucks, but the bottom tenor wing joint broke into the boot, it still all attaches and is playable, but I cant find any information if the joint could be replaced.
Hi Ethan, My suggestion would be a wing joint graft. This would save you the energy of buying a new joint (that may not have a sealing fit), would help keep the tone colors matching and should be less expensive. An experienced Bassoon Repair Technician should be able to do this for you. I have several listed on my website. Hope this helps! Happy Bassooning.
Just recently started playing on a brand new Fox Renard 222 with a C 2 Bocal. Still working out high range above high A, working on getting tenor clef back up and running
Hi Eryn! I play on a 201 right now, but I'm thinking about looking into a 6000 series Heckel that Charles Double Reed has for sale right now. So similar to your story! I use Paul Nordby as my repair person so I'm trying to see if he can get in touch with Charles Double Reed to get more information about the bassoon before I take a trip out there to try it. It has a beautiful finish from the pictures I've seen on the website but they mentioned it would still need some work if I were to purchase it. Can you go into more detail on what made you decide to buy your Heckel? I guess if you find the colors and tone quality are good enough it's worth the investment in the additional work to get it back into pristine condition? I'm nervous about a "project" bassoon, but I guess the results could be well worth it in the end. Would love to hear more of your thoughts since I'm considering a similar journey.
Hi Bryan, I think it's a great idea to have Paul Nordby dig into this a bit deeper! I wish I had that done prior to buying mine. If you have played a lot of other 6000 series is would give you an idea of the sound you will have after the instrument is serviced. These are not HUGE sound instruments so don't expect it to be what it was never made for.. that would be my only piece of advice. I am excited for your journey. Keep me posted. :)
Great videos! Do you happen to have any experience with classical or baroque bassoons? I build replicas of historical oboes and plan to start bassoons soon but info is scarce. Thanks!
I love this! I feel lucky to be an SAI Friend of the Arts. We have chapters of both SAI and Ph My Alpha at JSU- they are truly special organizations that give so much to music and the community. I've played some great 240's in my day! Love this. :)
Love your videos! I recently started playing again after too many years of neglecting my bassoon. Have any experience playing with old Kohlerts? I have an old post-war Kohlert from '54 thats still holding strong
Hi Hayden! Great to meet you. I love getting to make new bassoon friends through my youtube. I wish I had more experience with Kohlerts. Do you love it? Thanks for watching. :)
Absolutely! She needs a bit of cosmetic work, but produces a stable well-rounded warm tone. I haven't played on too many other bassoons, but I certainly prefer it to some of the fox bassoons I got to dabble with in college. I've heard that early pre-war Kohlerts can be real gems, but I've never seen one.
Great Video!! I bought my Heckel Crest from the Heckel Factory last year and I like it so far. only downside was that I have 10000 series Puchner as well(similar to you, I'm holding just in case Hecekel sounds wrong on climate condition) with the lot of option keys. Heckel Crest doesn't accept the keywork request so that I have some missing. I'm curious what keywork you have on puchner and Hecekel. Thanks I'm fan of your video
Ryan Choi How FABULOUS! How long did it take to get your Heckel Crest? Oohh! I will do a video on the key work, if you're interested! AND THANKS FOR WATCHING! I love hearing from you guys and you're experiences.
ah... 'the waiting time' At the order time, they said 10months. I actually got it after 30 months They happened to have workers illness so they had to stop the production for a while. I got the 3rd one after resume of production so it should be less than that.
Ryan Choi I am always curious about the time! How long have you had it and been breaking it in?!? Do you LOVE IT? I was a little cautious about buying new- because I wanted to try it first. Would love to hear your impressions.
I never thought that I'll write a long comment but since you asked :) I had to buy heckel bassoon because my teacher is great teacher but also SUPREME reed maker.He has different sound compared to others (He learned from Leonard Sharrow if that helps)I very much like his sound and I wanted to learn his sound concept, reed, etc.In order to do that, I needed Heckel bassoon. His concept and reed style is based on heckel so much that I can't immitate with my Puchner. At first, I was looking at the second hand bassoons available, but I must say none of them really matched my standards(even scale, good wood conditions, keyworks, Thickness of the wood and so on)Then I thought about New Heckel at the Heckel Factory but the waiting list was 7 years.I couldn't wait 7 years. (the major market in Germany but It cost 50,000 euro or more which I think it's too much premium to pay without options I could have selected.) After that, I looked Crest at the website. It says The wood was same kind and just produced by multi line production. My decision was that I could make heckel sound even if it’s not good as the original ones. And also, I'm kind of early adapter for thing I buy. I think instrument makers make better version(or different from past and more suitable to current music) After 30 months, I got the instrument but at first, I couldn’t make a sound on that horn. It took about 3 months to make break in process. Wood thickness of Crest is very thick as similar to Thunneman period Heckel.(much more thicker than 13000 series my teacher has) That make kind a easy to make sound like sounds of recordings. the only downside was that keyworks are very standard and I miss those option keys. Heckel factory keyword cost a fortune I must say to invest on Crest.(That price could afford a New Heckel) If I didn’t have to buy Heckel, I would have bought the Bell bassoon. But people comment me about the ‘The Heckel Sound’ so I should play some more to think whether I should keep for long run or change.
Ryan Choi Thank you so much for sharing. I LOVE hearing what is working, what people like, and why- especially if they are abroad! Where are you from? Hearing what is trending.. well, It is like an amazing product review and learning what is trending! I've heard GREAT things about the Bell Bassoons, too. Several of my friends and colleagues in Canada are playing on them rather than Heckles. Please let me know if you end up switching or staying on your current one. In the US there's such a stigma about the Heckel- it really leaves one stuck needing one to be accepted. So glad you have such a fantastic teacher and reed maker. I am posting MAKE A REED with Me over the next few weeks. I hope you will watch and comment on those videos. There are so many unique styles out there. I'd love to hear how you make reeds, too. So good to hear from YOU!
Why don't you get a good repairman to sodder the split on your cc2 bocal? It will play just as good as ever and you won't have to pay mucho bucks for another heckel bocal !!
I play a 2004 Buffet Festival, but my favourite clarinet is a 1963 R13 (seriously worn keys, but still just sounds awesome). My wife often performs on an 1890 clarinet made by Oskar Oehler! Old clarinets rock!
Wow, what a fantastic adventure! I'd love to hear what bocals you use as well. I play on a Renard 240D with a Mollenhaur bocal while I search for a new Heckel one (my CC2 split 😢). Do you check-list you go through in terms of buying a new instrument? 😄
Timothy Rosen OMG Your CC2 SPLIT?!? Oh, no! What Happened?!? When I am trying instruments, reeds, or bocals: the first two things I am checking for is Tone Color and Even- Scale (are the notes in tune with each other). Then I start looking for Dynamic Contrast, Versatility of Colors, Flexibility but NOT TOO FLEXIBLE. I hope this answers your question. THANKS so much for watching. Keep me posted on your bocal search!
About the bell cap, if the instrument was 100 years old and you had registered it with CBP before you sent it for repair you should not have had an issue bringing it back in. You should contact your local CBP office and ask.
Hi there! The instrument was not over 100 years old. And each time I would have traveled into the country I would have been required to travel to a city with the correct customs official and only during business hours. My schedule is so busy I couldn't guarantee this. :(
My wife and I work for CBP, you would have been fine. As long as you had the receipt you'd been good. The instrument was yours and the bell cap was pre-ban. There are other things you could have done, such as a Carnet (a passport for the instrument). Believe me, no one was going to go after you for that. It would be the same response I'd give if someone said that a Stradivarius was not permitted in because the wood was now considered endangered and covered by the Lacey Act. Not sure now that the cap's been replaced if you can legally get the old cap back. I hope it didn't interfere with the sound quality.
I've been trying to find a bassoon but it's so difficult to find one. I wanted to do the "rent to own" program but i couldn't find any bassoons that were available. I play an Oboe and since that's double reed, I wanted to try out a bassoon but I can't find one
+Bubblezishere It can be tough! MMI and RDG do bassoon rentals but often the instruments are not the best quality because they are rentals. It's an option of you would just like to try. :)
It's a shame that someone didn't take adequate care of that instrument before you. Old Heckels frequently have signs of alterations and sadly of them, some are not very well made. My Heckel was made in 1941, it also had some wood rot in a boot joint but luckily, the toneholes were in original condition. Keith Bowen from Seattle did the restoration job, and he's amazing.
+Eryn Oft one needs to avoid to buy used bassoons from music schools (although they tend to be cheap). Most of them have wood rot, bent keys and bocals, the varnish has many scratches, etc. The instruments used by professional players usually are in better condition (although wood rot is also frequently present). They sound good and have a stable intonation so don't expect an easy bargain. Amateur players take care of their instruments and quite often, you can find a bassoon that's 30-40 years old but looks like new. You might need to break them in when you start playing them but this is not a big issue. And the restoration ("open heart surgery" as you mentioned) is a drastoc measure on its own. Few bassoons deserve such a big investment but it's great to bring an old masterpiece to a mint condition again :)
+Žilvinas Smalys My heckel had fallen into disrepair after the professional player who owned it before me had become old and ill and not been able to care for it. The rot issue is standard for an instrument of the age that I have without unlined tubes. I tried SO MANY professionally played heckles before finding a diamond in the rough. I guess when it's right- you just know!
Sure! Send me a message on my contact me for at www.erynoft.com and we can look into it. I offer in person AND skype lessons. We will find what works best for you.
I currently play a Moosmann 222AP. It has a very warm tone, that is sonorous. The reed style that goes with the bassoon best seems to be a thinner style, with a good length. Overall it seems to attack high notes very easy, and it has any key and roller I could want. I'm very happy with the instrument. I don't know if it could quite match the tone of a heckle completely. It does, however, blend VERY well.
+Matthew David I'm SO Glad you have a good instrument. It makes the artistic journey so much more fun. And the rollers are always a bonus! Thanks for watching- always great to make a bassoon friend!
+Eryn Oft indeed! I actually go to school currently for bassoon. We try to get a clinician each year so I'll have to mention your channel to my professor!
+Matthew David Awh- thank you so much. I'd love to help out any way I can. Where are you from- I'm always curious to hear where my subbies are located. Best to you!
I also have a 10xxx Heckel., a late 10xxx with so many extra keys. My favorite is the extra low C key which saves my left thumb and wrist from undo strain from having to rotate my wrist to play the regular low C key. I wish that I knew how to make use of my extra keys. When I found this instrument in Milwaukee, the black lacquer finish was quite chipped off and the keys were quite rusted and most of the nickel-silver finish was in bad condition. The gentleman from whom I purchased my Heckel had it for only a few months.when this gentleman had graduated in the mid 60’s with a performance degree, he purchased a “matched pair” of Heckels within a few serial numbers of mine. Months before I had purchased this Heckel, he had seen it listed in the union paper. He bought it sight unseen because because of the serial number. He thought it would be easy with a similar tone quality. He didn’t like all of the extra keys and thought it would be too much work to play well. I saw this gentleman about 16 years later at an IDRS conference. I recognized his voice as the person sitting behind me. I heard him mention to the person next to him that he was writing a book about all of the Heckels he has owned. At that point I turned around and introduced myself as the proud owner of one of his former Heckels.
I would love to hear about the extensions you added to your bassoon. FYI, I was was glad my instrument had a metal ring instead of the ivory . I sent my bassoon to Keith Bowen for restoration of the wood and silver keys.along with a total re-pad job.
Erin, I currently play on a 56xx Heckel that is a "World System" that has been heavily modified over the years. I found it on eBay at a very low price and was able to have it put in playing shape by Ken Potsic for very reasonable price. It is maintained by my long-time repairman, Holden McAleer. My previous instrument, which I recently sold, was a 47xx Heckel also found on eBay. Ken Potsic had to completely restore the horn--it's amazing what turns up when one gets into a very old bassoon!--which turned out to be not only a beautiful, but nice playing bassoon. I didn't like its sound as much as my current 56xx, although the 47xx was cosmetically much more attractive. Before the Heckels I played a Fox 201 for about 10 years, and before that a Puechner I had bought new in 1963-- I've been very fortunate in my bassoons, especially as I started on a school-owned wooden Linton, a worse horn than can be imagined! My advice on buying an old bassoon on eBay: be prepared to pay for extensive repairs, and realise it is a real gamble. As Ken said about my Heckels, "well, lightening struck twice!". I have informed him I'm no longer in the "Heckel rescue" business! I'm amazed at the quality and variety of bassoon makers today--much better options than when I started playing!
I think I might be extra careful purchasing from ebay. You have been VERY lucky. Well done! :)
Indeed. As I mentioned, buying from eBay is a real gable and one has to be prepared to spend freely for repairs, etc. I spent around 8,000 on the 47xx and 3,000 on the 56xx Heckels.
I would never recommend buying from eBay for a beginner, parent of a beginner, etc. I also would strongly suggest the buyer consult with her teacher, or if no teacher a local pro, and deal with a reputable company!
Agreed! :)
Good video! Buying a bassoon is an extremely hard thing to do. The cost is so high ($40k today) that no mistake is permissible, and yet qualities of instruments are all over the map! I also upgraded from a Puchner, and I agree it's just amazing how many dodgy Heckel bassoons there are out there on the used market. I had to try about a dozen Heckel bassoons before finally settling on gorgeous 10,488, from an owner in Canada. This involved shipping them and insuring them all over the country, which was a super complicated and risky business. The repair business has changed a lot over the years. I was able to bring mine to Hans Moennig in Philadelphia, and worked for three days with him in his shop - experience of a lifetime, and a better instrumant as a reward.
I gasped really loud when you mentioned the rot tbh.
I'm currently playing on a beat up Linton (cue wincing) from my school (I named her Harriet haha) and I've just sent away an old wooden LaFleur from my school district to get a replacement crutch mount put on. It was missing a lot of pieces when it came into my hands (most notably a seat strap and crutch) so it hasn't been played much yet. I'm excited to start playing on it though!
I'm a woodwind doubler (bm saxophone, mm multiple woodwinds, second mm oboe, and now dma oboe at ccm) but I just bought a moosmann bassoon to replace my old plastic fox. I wish I could afford something really fancy but having all these instruments are expensive :p your videos are really fun! Thanks for sharing all your information!
I am so happy that you're part of our community. And you're right- instruments are expensive! Sounds like you found a keeper in your new bassoon. CONGRATS! :)
That experience of the instrument being right happened with me and my Yamaha 550al, it did everything I wanted it to. Nothing beets that feeling 😄
+Galvan Bladeworks SO TRUE! I'm so glad you found your match. :)
I'd love to see a video about your bassoon accessories. I have just started learning bassoon and have been using a Chinese brand bassoon from my school. My dad recently bought a used Selmer Signet Bassoon and i could definitely tell a difference between the two. I've heard that it's not the best but it should definitely take me up to or even through college.
Kris Williams Wow! What type of Chinese brand bassoon was it your school uses? Do you know? They've really developed some cost effective instruments lately! FASCINATING- would love to know more. Was it Wood? So Glad you Have YOUR OWN BASSOON NOW. I like to Name My Instruments- is that weird? Did you Name Yours? ;) Putting the Accessories on the Filming Agenda. Thanks for Watching and Commenting.
Eryn Oft The name on the bell and neck strap says Xinghai. It looks like wood but i'm not really sure. It has a high D key, whisper key lock and the Ab-Bb trill on the boot joint. It also comes with two bocals. It has a few problems though. When i press the whisper key it closes but when I lift my thumb off it doesn't open up again, the thumb f# key has a slow response, the low f key can sometimes get stuck and the Ab-Bb trill works but the tone is very airy doesn't sound very good. Most of these don't affect me too much while playing.
I do name some of my instruments:) My cello is named Simon, My flute is named Claudia and my piccolo is Pablo. I have yet to find a name for my new bassoon though. Just know that you're not the only one who likes to name their instruments. :D
Kris Williams Thank you so much for sharing about the bassoon. I haven't heard of the brand before your comment.. and your review is SO HELPFUL. Now I will know what to look for when I bump into one. Thank You! Can't wait to hear what you name your bassoon. My Puchner is Named Blue and my Heckel is Named Bisou. Awh. You're so talented to play so many instruments. I double on flute, too!
Eryn Oft You're very welcome. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what I name my bassoon and thanks for the compliment! :)
Yes! to the video on accessory keys!!
Hey! I really like the information here, ended up actually watching it during my scramble to find information on how to fix my bassoon. I found a prewar Kohlert Bassoon for a couple hundred bucks, but the bottom tenor wing joint broke into the boot, it still all attaches and is playable, but I cant find any information if the joint could be replaced.
Hi Ethan, My suggestion would be a wing joint graft. This would save you the energy of buying a new joint (that may not have a sealing fit), would help keep the tone colors matching and should be less expensive. An experienced Bassoon Repair Technician should be able to do this for you. I have several listed on my website. Hope this helps! Happy Bassooning.
I have a Fox Renard 222 and it’s about 22 years old
Just recently started playing on a brand new Fox Renard 222 with a C 2 Bocal. Still working out high range above high A, working on getting tenor clef back up and running
Woohoo! Go tenor clef!
Eryn Oft High School All State auditions call for tenor clef!
stuck bassoon . . . that one of the reasons I quit playing after six years. lol
+Nina Saraos Totally Understand! ;)
I currently play on a Fox Renard 240 but I started on my W. Schreiber S16
I use to play a renard 242 for 22 years but quit the bassoon cause CTS disease and cervical hernias, retired at the age of 40
Hi Eryn! I play on a 201 right now, but I'm thinking about looking into a 6000 series Heckel that Charles Double Reed has for sale right now. So similar to your story! I use Paul Nordby as my repair person so I'm trying to see if he can get in touch with Charles Double Reed to get more information about the bassoon before I take a trip out there to try it. It has a beautiful finish from the pictures I've seen on the website but they mentioned it would still need some work if I were to purchase it. Can you go into more detail on what made you decide to buy your Heckel? I guess if you find the colors and tone quality are good enough it's worth the investment in the additional work to get it back into pristine condition? I'm nervous about a "project" bassoon, but I guess the results could be well worth it in the end. Would love to hear more of your thoughts since I'm considering a similar journey.
Hi Bryan, I think it's a great idea to have Paul Nordby dig into this a bit deeper! I wish I had that done prior to buying mine. If you have played a lot of other 6000 series is would give you an idea of the sound you will have after the instrument is serviced. These are not HUGE sound instruments so don't expect it to be what it was never made for.. that would be my only piece of advice. I am excited for your journey. Keep me posted. :)
Great videos! Do you happen to have any experience with classical or baroque bassoons? I build replicas of historical oboes and plan to start bassoons soon but info is scarce. Thanks!
Shout out to SAI from Phi Mu Alpha at Austin Peay!
Also, I play on a Fox Renard Artist Model 240
I love this! I feel lucky to be an SAI Friend of the Arts. We have chapters of both SAI and Ph My Alpha at JSU- they are truly special organizations that give so much to music and the community. I've played some great 240's in my day! Love this. :)
Love your videos! I recently started playing again after too many years of neglecting my bassoon. Have any experience playing with old Kohlerts? I have an old post-war Kohlert from '54 thats still holding strong
Hi Hayden! Great to meet you. I love getting to make new bassoon friends through my youtube. I wish I had more experience with Kohlerts. Do you love it? Thanks for watching. :)
Absolutely! She needs a bit of cosmetic work, but produces a stable well-rounded warm tone. I haven't played on too many other bassoons, but I certainly prefer it to some of the fox bassoons I got to dabble with in college. I've heard that early pre-war Kohlerts can be real gems, but I've never seen one.
Great Video!!
I bought my Heckel Crest from the Heckel Factory last year and I like it so far.
only downside was that I have 10000 series Puchner as well(similar to you, I'm holding just in case Hecekel sounds wrong on climate condition) with the lot of option keys.
Heckel Crest doesn't accept the keywork request so that I have some missing.
I'm curious what keywork you have on puchner and Hecekel.
Thanks
I'm fan of your video
Ryan Choi How FABULOUS! How long did it take to get your Heckel Crest?
Oohh! I will do a video on the key work, if you're interested! AND THANKS FOR WATCHING! I love hearing from you guys and you're experiences.
ah... 'the waiting time'
At the order time, they said 10months.
I actually got it after 30 months
They happened to have workers illness so they had to stop the production for a while.
I got the 3rd one after resume of production so it should be less than that.
Ryan Choi I am always curious about the time! How long have you had it and been breaking it in?!? Do you LOVE IT? I was a little cautious about buying new- because I wanted to try it first. Would love to hear your impressions.
I never thought that I'll write a long comment but since you asked :)
I had to buy heckel bassoon because my teacher is great teacher but also SUPREME reed maker.He has different sound compared to others (He learned from Leonard Sharrow if that helps)I very much like his sound and I wanted to learn his sound concept, reed, etc.In order to do that, I needed Heckel bassoon. His concept and reed style is based on heckel so much that I can't immitate with my Puchner.
At first, I was looking at the second hand bassoons available, but I must say none of them really matched my standards(even scale, good wood conditions, keyworks, Thickness of the wood and so on)Then I thought about New Heckel at the Heckel Factory but the waiting list was 7 years.I couldn't wait 7 years. (the major market in Germany but It cost 50,000 euro or more which I think it's too much premium to pay without options I could have selected.)
After that, I looked Crest at the website. It says The wood was same kind and just produced by multi line production. My decision was that I could make heckel sound even if it’s not good as the original ones. And also, I'm kind of early adapter for thing I buy. I think instrument makers make better version(or different from past and more suitable to current music)
After 30 months, I got the instrument but at first, I couldn’t make a sound on that horn. It took about 3 months to make break in process. Wood thickness of Crest is very thick as similar to Thunneman period Heckel.(much more thicker than 13000 series my teacher has) That make kind a easy to make sound like sounds of recordings. the only downside was that keyworks are very standard and I miss those option keys. Heckel factory keyword cost a fortune I must say to invest on Crest.(That price could afford a New Heckel)
If I didn’t have to buy Heckel, I would have bought the Bell bassoon. But people comment me about the ‘The Heckel Sound’ so I should play some more to think whether I should keep for long run or change.
Ryan Choi Thank you so much for sharing. I LOVE hearing what is working, what people like, and why- especially if they are abroad! Where are you from? Hearing what is trending.. well, It is like an amazing product review and learning what is trending! I've heard GREAT things about the Bell Bassoons, too. Several of my friends and colleagues in Canada are playing on them rather than Heckles. Please let me know if you end up switching or staying on your current one. In the US there's such a stigma about the Heckel- it really leaves one stuck needing one to be accepted. So glad you have such a fantastic teacher and reed maker. I am posting MAKE A REED with Me over the next few weeks. I hope you will watch and comment on those videos. There are so many unique styles out there. I'd love to hear how you make reeds, too. So good to hear from YOU!
Hello eryn! do you What think of the bassoon benson Bell?, you've playing any of those? In That Kind of bassoon there is so little bit information!
You're right- I wish there was more about the Bell Bassoons. They're are some really good one's available.
Im a clarinetist and I play on a Selmer series 10.
Why don't you get a good repairman to sodder the split on your cc2 bocal? It will play just as good as ever and you won't have to pay mucho bucks for another heckel bocal !!
I play a REALLY old Buffet clarinet,as i could never afford a new one.
still perfect after almost 60 years though
You're SO Lucky! :)
I play a 2004 Buffet Festival, but my favourite clarinet is a 1963 R13 (seriously worn keys, but still just sounds awesome). My wife often performs on an 1890 clarinet made by Oskar Oehler! Old clarinets rock!
Oboe clarinet flute and bassoon at school
Wow, what a fantastic adventure!
I'd love to hear what bocals you use as well.
I play on a Renard 240D with a Mollenhaur bocal while I search for a new Heckel one (my CC2 split 😢). Do you check-list you go through in terms of buying a new instrument? 😄
Timothy Rosen OMG Your CC2 SPLIT?!? Oh, no! What Happened?!? When I am trying instruments, reeds, or bocals: the first two things I am checking for is Tone Color and Even- Scale (are the notes in tune with each other). Then I start looking for Dynamic Contrast, Versatility of Colors, Flexibility but NOT TOO FLEXIBLE. I hope this answers your question. THANKS so much for watching. Keep me posted on your bocal search!
Split seam up the side in the bend, won't play higher than a tenor F without straining :( was a terrible day when I found it.
Eryn Oft Also, you would have been at Indiana with my old teacher. Did you study with Kim Walker? :)
Timothy Rosen YES! I did Study with Kim Walker. Did you work with her also?
No I didn't but my teacher (Mark Gaydon) did :)
Schreiber s31 :) Just bought it !
Woohoo! Congratulations. :)
About the bell cap, if the instrument was 100 years old and you had registered it with CBP before you sent it for repair you should not have had an issue bringing it back in. You should contact your local CBP office and ask.
Hi there! The instrument was not over 100 years old. And each time I would have traveled into the country I would have been required to travel to a city with the correct customs official and only during business hours. My schedule is so busy I couldn't guarantee this. :(
My wife and I work for CBP, you would have been fine. As long as you had the receipt you'd been good. The instrument was yours and the bell cap was pre-ban. There are other things you could have done, such as a Carnet (a passport for the instrument). Believe me, no one was going to go after you for that. It would be the same response I'd give if someone said that a Stradivarius was not permitted in because the wood was now considered endangered and covered by the Lacey Act. Not sure now that the cap's been replaced if you can legally get the old cap back. I hope it didn't interfere with the sound quality.
Eryn Oft americanorchestras.org/advocacy-government/travel-with-instruments/endangered-species-material/ivory-ban-impact-on-orchestras.html
I've been trying to find a bassoon but it's so difficult to find one. I wanted to do the "rent to own" program but i couldn't find any bassoons that were available. I play an Oboe and since that's double reed, I wanted to try out a bassoon but I can't find one
+Bubblezishere It can be tough! MMI and RDG do bassoon rentals but often the instruments are not the best quality because they are rentals. It's an option of you would just like to try. :)
Eryn Oft thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Eryn Oft oh and one more question. Do these websites do online rentals?
Shout out SAI! From Phi Mu Alpha at USF!
Phi My Alpha always helps out with our JSU Double Reed Day. Love you guys! Thanks for all the support for the arts across the nation. :)
It's a shame that someone didn't take adequate care of that instrument before you. Old Heckels frequently have signs of alterations and sadly of them, some are not very well made. My Heckel was made in 1941, it also had some wood rot in a boot joint but luckily, the toneholes were in original condition. Keith Bowen from Seattle did the restoration job, and he's amazing.
+Žilvinas Smalys That's Awesome! So important to care for these beauties. :)
+Eryn Oft one needs to avoid to buy used bassoons from music schools (although they tend to be cheap). Most of them have wood rot, bent keys and bocals, the varnish has many scratches, etc. The instruments used by professional players usually are in better condition (although wood rot is also frequently present). They sound good and have a stable intonation so don't expect an easy bargain. Amateur players take care of their instruments and quite often, you can find a bassoon that's 30-40 years old but looks like new. You might need to break them in when you start playing them but this is not a big issue. And the restoration ("open heart surgery" as you mentioned) is a drastoc measure on its own. Few bassoons deserve such a big investment but it's great to bring an old masterpiece to a mint condition again :)
+Žilvinas Smalys My heckel had fallen into disrepair after the professional player who owned it before me had become old and ill and not been able to care for it. The rot issue is standard for an instrument of the age that I have without unlined tubes. I tried SO MANY professionally played heckles before finding a diamond in the rough. I guess when it's right- you just know!
I play on a Moosmann 100A (10+ years now.)
+Amy Olson That's Great!
What model of püchner bassoon do you have
Hi there- thanks for watching! It's a Puchner Superior Model.
+Eryn Oft thanks!
For sure!
You live in Alabama ! I do too! Can you give me lessons?
Sure! Send me a message on my contact me for at www.erynoft.com and we can look into it. I offer in person AND skype lessons. We will find what works best for you.
Ok thank you! I will surely do that!
I currently play a Moosmann 222AP. It has a very warm tone, that is sonorous. The reed style that goes with the bassoon best seems to be a thinner style, with a good length. Overall it seems to attack high notes very easy, and it has any key and roller I could want. I'm very happy with the instrument. I don't know if it could quite match the tone of a heckle completely. It does, however, blend VERY well.
+Matthew David I'm SO Glad you have a good instrument. It makes the artistic journey so much more fun. And the rollers are always a bonus! Thanks for watching- always great to make a bassoon friend!
+Eryn Oft indeed! I actually go to school currently for bassoon. We try to get a clinician each year so I'll have to mention your channel to my professor!
+Matthew David Awh- thank you so much. I'd love to help out any way I can. Where are you from- I'm always curious to hear where my subbies are located. Best to you!
+Eryn Oft oh gosh. I'm at Crane School way up north in New York state. That might be rather far Hahahaha.
It's great to hear where you are from- My family is up north, too. It's such a small world! :)
Schiller intermediate model.3
fox renard oboe, switching to bassoon today
How exciting!!! :)
your videos are really helpful
Thank you! :)
I am playing a selmer student model bassoon
Ooh! Some of these Selmers are a Fox/Renard Bassoon in disguise. :)
Eryn Oft Really
Eryn Oft I don't think that mine is because my band director got it for a pretty cheap price
If it is an old one- then it may be. If it is new than- it's not a Fox Renard.
Eryn Oft it's an old one all right
I play fox
I played a fox 201 for years and loved it!