Bassoon of the Week: Moosmann 200
May 15th, 2026
The Moosmann 200 sits in the middle of the Bernd Moosmann range, above the Moosmann 150 mid-range bassoon and just below the top-specification 222 series. It has a full professional specification and is designated as their Soloist model.
The 200 is a long-established model with enduring popularity, having been part of the line-up since 1988. Moosmann as a brand is not that well-known in the UK, but is well-liked for their instruments in continental Europe and also in South America particularly.
Moosmann and the Kohlert connection
Bernd Moosmann GmbH is owned by Bernd Moosmann, who bought the Kohlert factory with Helga Kreul (to form Kreul & Moosmann) in 1983. After a couple of years he parted company with Kreul to forge his own path, and developed the original Kohlert design into the range produced today.
Kohlert itself had a much longer history, coming from a family of woodwind makers in the 19th century. The firm was based in Graslitz, Bohemia (later Kraslice in Czechoslovakia), perhaps the woodwind making centre in Europe, until 1945.
Sadly, the company suffered a very similar fate to Vinzenz Püchner - which we covered in our Bassoon of the Week last week. It was nationalised in 1945 and its assets absorbed into the same state-enforced conglomeration as Vinzenz Püchner, under the name of Amati. The Kohlert family, like the Püchner family, left to start a new life in West Germany, settling in Winnenden near Stuttgart.
Kohlert Graslitz/Kraslice bassoons were very well-regarded at the time and are much sought after today by those who know about them. The Winnenden bassoons never quite reached the standard of the pre-war bassoons though.
Moosmann rapidly developed their range of bassoons in the early years and the Moosmann 200 is a big step up from Winnenden Kohlert bassoons and an altogether more modern, better-specified and better-playing instrument.
The Moosmann 200 we have for sale
The Moosmann 200 currently on sale is a single-owner instrument since new and has been well looked after. Made from flamed maple with natural striping, set off by the French polish typical of Moosmanns, it is nice looking and very well specified bassoon. Highlights include a high E key, nine rollers, three trill keys. Both bores of the butt joint are lined to protect against moisture – something rarely seen even on the most expensive bassoons – and it comes with three Moosmann crooks.
Oliver Ludlow comments:
“Moosmann professional bassoons, although quite rare in the UK, have a good reputation internationally and I have always liked their evenness and resonance. We always try to get them in if we can, but opportunities to do so are infrequent.
“The 200, sitting just below the flagship 222 series, loses little to them in terms of keywork, tone or evenness, and comes in at a much more competitive price.
“If you are in the market for a good all-round bassoon which is free-blowing and will fit into almost any playing context the 200 is well worth considering. And this particular 200, in my view, would be the one to go for as it has been so well looked after.”
Try it for Yourself
If you are interested in this Moosmann 200, simply get in touch. You can:
- Visit us to try it in person
Have it sent to you through our popular Try Before You Buy service.
Why not consider becoming the proud owner - and player - of this delightful bassoon?
