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Re: Introduce yourself!

Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-11-18 07:45

I took up bassoon when I was 11, but due to the poor condition of the school's bassoon (a knackered old Amati, stamped 'Carl Fischer') I later packed it in after a few years to do sax instead (which is my main instrument) - but learning bassoon was good in that I learnt to read bass clef early on in my musical life, so taking up double-bass and harp weren't met with having to learn a new key signature.

But I have tinkered with bassoons since then, buying an old Orsi bassoon for £50 at an auction (Christie's in South Kensington) which wasn't bad as it plays reasonably well, and I missed out on an old rosewood Buffet which went for more than my maximum - not sure if it was sharp pitch, but this Orsi didn't need much doing to it to get it playable.

I am fascinated by French system bassoons, and bought an old Selmer off e**y (stamped U.S.Q.M.C. above the right thumb hole) - but I do need a French crook to go with it (as the German crooks aren't all that compatible), and new ones are several times the price I paid for it - considering the poor condition it's in (though it will play) it's not all that economical, and I might bide my time to see if a (modern pitch) Buffet comes on the market for a reasonable sum.

Though to be honest I'd rather be a contra player - and the new Amati contras have tempted me several times, but always at the wrong time - they're in short supply and high demand, so they're never around when I'm feeling flush and then they turn up when I'm strapped for cash. But I might look into a Buffet (French system) contra if I win the lottery.

Too bad I don't do the lottery.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Introduce yourself! new

Merlin

2006-04-19 20:38