Schreiber WS519120 Professional Bassoon

Advantages: fantastic tone
Disadvantages: not too cheap

...I purchased my Huller bassoon just after Christmas 1999, as I was then using a bassoon belonging to my school. The bassoon I purchased was second hand but still in fantastic condition. I would recommend Huller bassoons as they have a deep, mellow tone, essential to all bassoonists. I would advise those who have been playing a while and who aren't just looking for a starting instrument, as they don't come cheap, but it I also advise those interested in purchasing to look for second hand instruments as they tend to keep their value better than new, and still have the quality of tone and the fantastic appearance only found in the wood of a bassoon. However, as I have already mentioned, they aren't the cheapest of bassoons, but as they are made to the original German design, they are some of the most playable instruments around... Read review

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Advantages: excellent tone quality
Disadvantages: silver plating wears very easily

...I bought my Adler 25 four years ago for £4, 945. At the time I was extremely keen on music and I played in several orchestras. The tone from the Adler 25 is amazing, its deep, rich and beats the tone on any other bassoon I've heard or played on. The spacing between fingering holes is logical and is not too distant, whilst the register keys occasionally knock against each other when playing fast. There are only really two downsides to Adler bassoons, and that is the part that joins the big tube to the small tube, as the "key" is made out of very soft metal and bends really easily. The other is that the silver plating on the keys wears off very easily, leaving thumb plates and finger rests looking dull and black.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Lots of rollers, good tone.
Disadvantages: No alternative low C key.

...I bought my B&H bassoon about 8 years ago when I was around grade 4. I went to the woodwind shop in London and spent hours trying many different bassoons. I could have got it for £880 as seen, but opted to get it fully serviced for £1000. Well worth it as it needed some attention. When I first got my bassoon I thought it was wonderful as I had previously only played on an old school instrument. Now many years later I still think it is a good instrument, although I have occasionally tried out other peoples' and found them to be better. The bassoon has all the normal keywork (no short-reach keys), but the one thing I miss is not having the alternative low C key for the left thumb. On the whole it is a well tuned instrument - but of course it is very much reed dependent being a double reed instrument. But with a good reed it is easy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful