For sale, a fine contrabassoon dating from the later 19th century/early 20th century, made by and stamped Kohlert and Sohn's, Graslitz. Although we haven't done any work on it ourselves, it has recently had a complete re-silver of the keywork and all new pads. It looks wonderful.
This is a tall low Bb contrabassoon, without the usual final bend you see on modern contrabassoons. Despite looking tall, it is thin walled and surprisingly lightweight and easy to hold in the orchestra, as well as transport (it comes with a compact hard case).
Kohlert made woodwind instruments from 1840 through to the 1980s when bassoon production was taken over by Moosmann.
- Length assembled: 214cms. Disassembled: 122cms. It fits into a surprisingly small hard case
- Supplied with one unstamped crook - possibly original and works well
- Keywork is all there but a little quirky compared to a modern contrabassoon set up. The C# touch piece for left thumb is where the right hand thumb Bb key normally is, and the Bb touch is right hand third finger only (like a Bb trill key on a bassoon). Also low C# and low Eb for left hand little finger, are reversed compared to a standard modern contrabassoon. All the notes are there, just a couple of keys are reversed or moved which is something to get used to but no big deal
- The current owner wishes the instrument to be sold as seen, so a future owner can decide what work to have done, if any. The joints need disassembling and re-sealing in our view as they currently leak air through the tenons (very common). It currently plays well as we have taped up the joints from the outside. Resealing the joints is at the discretion of a new owner and would be extra (please ask for a quote).
- It is hard to judge, but in our opinion it prefers to be played at A=435Hz (not unusual pre-war). With a judicious selection of crook and reed it can be brought down to A=430Hz or up to A=440Hz. It produces a full, rounded deep tone
Hear it being played - from 1m:23s:
Commission sale on behalf of a private vendor
