"new, never been played Kohlert" ?

[bassoonmom]

I am looking for a good quality bassoon for my college bound son. I have seen an ad for a "new, never been played Kohlert". THis isn't possible, is it? No one makes Kohlerts anymore, do they? I only hear of makers who came from the Knolert family tree. ??

Thank you

:treble:

[Swingtone]

You do know you're on a sax Forum, right? I'm out of my element here, but I know that Kohlert bassoons are supposed to be excellent; in fact, I think they are what the company is best known for. It is possible they are still making new ones, but as to whether they're still made in the Czech Republic, I do not know. Maybe you should just buy a vintage one on ebay and you'll be more sure of getting a real Czech one. Aren't there woodwind (double-reed) Forums for this sort of thing?

[Swingtone]

Ok, here we go--

http://www.saxpics.com/kohlert/index.htm

[bassoonmom]

Sorry for the intrusion, it is just that search engines brought me here on this subject matter due to lots of bassoon stuff in the archives. I thought double reeds was a sub-forum for bassoons & oboes. My mistake. But feel free to point me to a more appropriate domain.

[Hurling Frootmig]

The Kohlert name, at least for saxophones, seems to be farmed out on cheap saxes made in Taiwan. Check the country of orgin on whatever you buy you son.

[bpimentel]

Are we to understand that your son will be studying the bassoon in college? If so, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you contact the bassoon professor before you ask anyone else. They should be more than happy to advise you.

It seems that many bassoon teachers these days are recommending the Fox Renard bassoons for students who aren't ready to purchase a true professional instrument. The model 240 seems to be an especially popular choice.

Bret

[Swingtone]

Real Kohlert saxes (i.e., Czech horns made by the original company) haven't been made since the 60's, but Kohlert bassoons are still being produced by a German company that bought them out 40 years ago. So it's two totally different companies we're talking about here--kind of like Buescher after the Selmer takeover. I think their bassoons are very nice, from what little I've read.

Here's another article I found--

http://idrs.colorado.edu/Publications/DR/DR16.1/DR16.1.Moosmann.html

I'd talk to the band director AND do some research on the web. A lot of band directors I've known seem to have a narrow view when it comes to instruments.

Hope this helps!

[Swingtone]

This should answer most of your questions. Be sure to read/skim all the way to the end, as this is where the quality of the newer Kohlert bassoons is discussed, albeit briefly:

http://idrs.colorado.edu/Publications/DR/DR13.1/DR13.1.Lein.Kohlert.html

[bpimentel]

I'd talk to the band director

At the college level, don't talk to the band director--talk to the BASSOON TEACHER!

[Swingtone]

At the college level, don't talk to the band director--talk to the BASSOON TEACHER!

Yeah, right, my mistake. But I think she got the message, WG.

Hopefully you can continue to dazzle us with your vast knowledge on this deep and sonorous subject. :D

[Swingtone]

Here's another thread that may help you. From reading it I was surprised to learn that my fellow member here is actually quite knowledgeable on the subject. Maybe he's becoming what's known on here as a "hardhead" (i.e., is tired of answering newbie questions). ;)

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=14423

[Nutmeg]

I am primarily a bassoon player who doubles on sax, flute, etc.... I have a few questions about your son and what he is doing in college. Is he going to be for a music degree or just playing in the concert band for fun? If he is playing in the concert band for fun and not seriously considering a music degree, then I would recommend any well made student bassoon, Fox 220, possibly the Kohlert you mentioned.

However, if he is going to college to study music and play seriously, then that is a completely different story. First, I would wait to purchase a bassoon until he meets the bassoon teacher there. That teacher will help him make a decision as to which bassoon will work best. You never know, that bassoon teacher may know someone who is getting rid of a used Fox pro-model, or if you are really lucky a Heckel.

Secondly, unless he is going to be a professional bassoon player, I think the Fox Renard 240 would be a great buy and couple that with a heckel bocal (or even some of the new Fox CVX bocals) you can have a terrific sounding instrument. However, if he is going all out for professional bassoon player, I think you are going to have to invest in a high quality (read expensive) bassoon, Fox has terrific professional models with lots of bells and whistles, Heckel is the gold standard, but they come at a very high price (more than what my first car cost).

You may also want to look at Peter Landy's website, he has some used bassoons for sale. There is a nice benefit to used bassoons, you don't have to break them in and chances are their intonation has calmed down. A new instrument smells great, but it takes a while for the wood to learn that it isn't a tree anymore, it is an instrument.

http://bassoonrepair.com/bassoons.htm

Good luck!

~Melissa

[Zoot Horn]

I bought a Kohlert bassoon on eBay. I shopped for 6 months, and I took a lot of notes. It is probably a school horn. It really was almost never played, although it is old. After I paid for repairs (to my taste), I spent $1200. My bassoon teacher is now telling other students to do the same thing, but to be very careful. Let's face it, I was really lucky. But other people could get lucky, too. And if you get a lemon, you can always resell it for approximately what you paid for it.

[Dr G]

You do know you're on a sax Forum, right? I'm out of my element here...

Noted. ;)

[Jon Turner]

I wish I had the Kohlert bassoon I had in High School 35 years ago. Man, do I miss it.
Jon

[jaysne]

I wish I had the Kohlert bassoon I had in High School 35 years ago. Man, do I miss it.
Jon


I have one right now, man, and boy do I love it!

[piccoloplayer]

I just bought a beat-up Kohlert bassoon on eBay - but I only paid $350.00 for it. I am expecting the repair bill to run me in the neighborhood of a grand or so, but $1350 is still pretty cheap for a bassoon. I figure it will be good enough to teach myself on, and if I get a few gigs, then ZI can justify getting a better axe.

[piccoloplayer]

I just bought a beat-up Kohlert bassoon on eBay - but I only paid $350.00 for it. I am expecting the repair bill to run me in the neighborhood of a grand or so, but $1350 is still pretty cheap for a bassoon. I figure it will be good enough to teach myself on, and if I get a few gigs, then I can justify getting a better axe.