Complete Restorations

Evans Bassoon
Repair and Restoration Studio

(914) 478-0946

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11/20/09- Heckel #40xx, ca. 1899: This turned out being a very interesting restoration. While working on these older "modern" bassoons, the question looms; How will it play? How did the bassoonists in the turn of the 20th century negotiate their repertoire? No whisper key, no ring keys, etc. That there's no high D key, or rollers isn't a problem. And surprisingly, the absence of the whisper key was like being on vacation. Once getting used to it, there's so much less to worry about. Yes, when the hole on the original bocal is closed, the low end is indeed more robust but, because it's a smaller hole than a modern bocal, it's not that hard to negotiate the different registers when open. The high G on this bassoon is comfortably in tune without the high G ring and vent. These things and more help to learn an important lesson in bassoon design. When a bassoon is well designed and manufactured before the improvements we all deem necessary, it may well be a viable bassoon capable of playing to a high standard. This instrument plays very well both in sonority and scale. So well, that it's becoming a desirable bassoon for period players needing to perform on early modern bassoons. It's an enviable example of a bassoon in like new condition to accompany music from the late 19th century. Of which there is much to explore.
Incidently, this isn't the Heckel illustrated in the "Heckel Restoration Tour" (#30x,ca.1894). Currently this bassoon along with Heckel restoration #37xx will be used by Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in San Francisco for their upcoming "All Brahms Concert" in Feb. 2010. On the menu will be the Serenade No.1 and the Violin Concerto in D Major. Played by Dennis Godburn and Andrew Schwartz. Recording excerpts to follow so stay tuned. Yes,,,pun intended!

(click on thumbnails for high res photos)


Before in Original Case	Restored: back	Restored: front
	Before and After: Crack Repair in Boot Joint
Crack in Lined Side of Boot		Repaired Crack
	Cracks repaired and held in compression by resizing the boot band.
Cracks in Boot Sockets		Cracks Repaired
	The Ivory is restored much like the metal work.
Original Ivory Bell Ring		Bell Ring Like New
	Much care around the name stamps!
Condition of Original Finish		Restored Finish with Name Stamp

	Reproduction of New Guards

New Wood Finish Before Hand Rubbing Process		New Finish: "Finished"

	Original Bocal