Description
This Puchner-Cooper “original” bassoon was worked on by Prof. Hugh Cooper in 1968. It has led a professional life, with excellent work done over the years by among the finest bassoon specialists including Hugh Cooper, Hans Moennig, and Holden McAleer. It’s rare to find a one owner pro instrument with a documented heritage of this caliber.
Hugh Cooper did the original pre-sale work. Hans Moennig worked on this instrument the first year during which he installed the F tone hole water tube. Holden McAleer did regular maintenance and extensive upgrades over the years. He added a high D, sterling silver C, and B water tubes, tightened keywork, enlarged all three boot Bb vents, undercut the “south” side of the low D# vent, decreased the diameter in the middle of the bell, and large end of the long joint, enlarged the D vent, undercut the low C, low C#, and low D# vents, bevelled the tone hole rims, and much more. Detailed receipts are available. In 2005, he appraised this instrument at $14,000 and noted “this is one of the best Puchner bassoons of this vintage.”
Brian Charles has cleaned, oiled, adjusted, and play-tested this bassoon in our shop, ensuring it’s ready for performance. It will be fully play-tested, and adjusted again just before it goes out on trial to you. An experienced or advancing performer will treasure this instrument. It would suit an enthusiast looking for a lifetime instrument as well.
Condition:
Body: The maple wood body is in excellent condition with no boot rot, and no tone hole issues. Beautiful tiger striping. Minimal wear and one set of closed screw holes where a upgraded right hand brace has been added.
Keywork: The German system silver plated keywork system is in clean, oiled, and fully adjusted condition. There are numerous areas of plating wear at the touch points. There is no metal pitting.
Features:
- Metal tone hole inserts
- Lined wing and small boot bore
- Body lock
- High d key
- Four rollers
- Right hand whisper key lock
- Removable rubber tuning ring for the small end of the bass joint
- Wing joint tenon sits slightly above the top of the boot for tuning purposes
Bocals:
Heckel VC #2, and VCD #2, with light plating loss but otherwise excellent. Two bocal pouches are included.
Case:
The black leather Bonna integral case with backpack straps is in excellent condition with less than the expected wear.
For more information on how to trial this instrument, Click Here.
If you’re ready to trial this instrument email us or call us at (603) 356-9890
