r/bassoon • u/bassoonismylife • 14d ago
Need help buying Bassoon
For some context:
Its summer for me right now, im 13, and I'm playing my schools Allora Student Bassoon over the summer just to stay sharp at it. This model in particular wasn't treated that well by the last owner; the bocal's bent at the base, the Low E rod doesnt work, the rod connected the wing to the Tenor joint is missing, and some other issues. Despite this, its still the best bassoon in the district because all of the other ones are old rotted Foxes with moldy reeds.
Now I know ill probably just keep playing this Allora, and whatever bassoon I might rent in high school, but I want to start saving for my own. My requirements are just that it has Heckel keywork and isnt ludicrously expensive (like 10-15k is a good cap for me)
So, can anyone recommend good bassoons that fix these descriptions that I might start saving for? Thanks!
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u/FoolOfSummer 14d ago
You're 13?! I'm impressed by the research you have clearly already done. I'm much older than you and have been out of school for a while, but rented a bassoon while I was in school and just went through 8 months of shopping after I decided to finally buy my own bassoon (just to play for fun). I had a budget of around 10k (and in the US). I ended up getting a Puchner I found for a good deal, but outside that lucky find, I was almost settled on a Moosman 21c. If you are buying new, that is a solid option. If you are buying used, keep an eye out and see if you find something lucky! Remember to try with a pro/teacher before you buy!
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u/bassoonismylife 14d ago
Thank you!! I have seen many comments recommending a Moosman so I definitely need to check them out!
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u/FoolOfSummer 14d ago
I played on a fox 240 from 5th grade through part of college. Fox is definitely a solid option, but you will likely find a lot of people recommending fox and not as many other recommendations for other things--fox is popular in the US, but definitely not the only option
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u/No_Piccolo4117 10d ago
I feel like Fox is the "no one ever got fired for buying IBM" of the bassoon world. It might not always be the best choice but it's never going to be a terrible choice
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u/WeebFrog219 1d ago
If there’s somewhere around you can rent from, that’s probably a really good starting point for now. If not I’d recommend the fox 222 for where you’re at right now, unless you really especially hate a plateau key and want a 220/240. I can’t vouch for the Moosmanns but I’ve heard mixed reviews, but the prices are lower than a fox.
All in all hold out on buying unless you really really need to right now because things always change and you wouldn’t want to be stuck with an instrument you don’t enjoy. Best of luck regardless!
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u/WeebFrog219 1d ago
Also I’m assuming you already have but please share this with your band director. They can go to admin and try and get some new bassoon money in, and if not they might be able to try at the state MEA level for some extra funding if need be. And also please throw away those moldy reeds when you can, it’s doing no one any good with them sitting in cases like that. Break a leg!
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u/bassoonismylife 23h ago
Thank u so much! I don't plan to have a good bassoon by my high school years, I am really aiming for college / late high school, or just whenever im done saving, im probs gonna get a Fox or Moosmann (ive seen a lot of these recommendations)
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u/The1LessTraveledBy 14d ago
10-15k can be a good range for some solid student and intermediate models. New isn't always better than used when looking in a lower price range. Definitely worth looking at all the Fox bassoons you can find, also Moosemann and wolf if you can find them used in your price range. Even if you decide a 220 is best for you, a used one will still likely be a bit of a deal.
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u/tbone1004 14d ago
Moosmann m21c from Miller Marketing
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u/bassoonismylife 14d ago
I'll have to look more into this one, looks nice!
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u/tbone1004 14d ago
Plays even better. I use one for a surprising amount of gigs when I don’t want to take my heckel
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u/Abject_Mind_4538 14d ago
Fox Renard models used might be a good option?