Heckel 3000 series

For sale, a very interesting Heckel 32XX dating from 1886. It is well preserved and in good condition for its age. 

It would be perfect for playing in a period orchestra covering late 19th century repertoire. It would also be very possible to play this in a modern orchestra without any difficulty - it is a stable instrument with a whisper key and a nice tone.

This bassoon plays well at 440Hz or a bit higher depending on reed choice. Intonation seems very good. The wing and boot joint small side bore are rubber lined. 

Three of the joints are made from rosewood and the long joint is made from maple. The three rosewood joints have Heckel stamps; the long joint does not, but it is likely a Heckel joint contemporary with the other joints, judging by key and joint shape design. The varnish around where the stamp would normally be has completely worn off from use over time, so that possibly explains the missing stamp.

Interestingly, the boot joint body band is stamped with 'RTR Rhine Band'. This was a British Royal Tank Regiment band re-named as the Rhine Staff Band in 1949 (although the Royal Tank Regiment had various bands going back to just after the 1st world war).

Although this bassoon has been used in the military, it does play at 440Hz and is of the correct dimensions for low pitch.

It has the original ivory bell ring, which we will register prior to sale. 

This bassoon has a nice, typical-Heckel-3000 series sweet tone. It is a very lightweight instrument. It plays well throughout the range and has good intonation as it is, even without having had a re-pad. 

It does, though, need a full re-pad and service; the price indicated is for it unserviced. The cost of a service including re-pad from us would be in the region of £1,500 including VAT. 

It comes without a crook.