No, I`ll look into those, also dont buy Kalert.

Can`t find anything on K-Night, Xinghai looks risky. Alos, I wouldn`t buy a Laurel or Rex bassoon.

Read the messages already posted on this thread!

I`ll set this straight,

DO NOT BUY ANY BASSOONS BRANDED WITH THE FOLLOWING NAMES,

Artia
Haydn
Lark
Laval
K-Night
Xinghai

These are all made in China of inferior materials, and the only reason they sell so cheap is because the materials are so cheap....

BTW, Lesher, which was downed by Kevin as a non-acceptable brand, is infact a company in good standing, and they have been making fine Oboes, Cor Anglais, and Bassoons for quite some time now...

HOWEVER, Ebay is a wonderful place to find good bassoons..

I bought my Linton 5K for $365 including shipping on Ebay, I only had to have two pads replaced, and no adjustment was neccessary. Since I bought it nearly two years ago, I have played it every single week in 3 different groups, (2 bands and a orchestra) and it rivals the sound of the pro next to me with the wooden Schreiber.....

I am very pleased with it, and I do recommend Ebay as a good source...

Alex

WHat would you say about a Hunter?

Haydn and Laval are Canadian and American, respectively, but each brand is ONLY sold on ebay. I`ve heard bad things about them, and buyers have not like them.

does anyone know anything about MIGMAs or Lintons? I recently saw both for under 1000 (950 and 599 respectively.)

I am only a high school student, but I am very interested in buying my own bassoon as my school tends to cheat me out of having a bassoon over the summer, and i do not plan to major/minor in college, just play for fun.

Linton`s are fine and durable, just make sure its in good-great condition. I would not trust Migma`s, although I have seen them.

Any one have any experience of a Takeda bassoon? (Japanese, and significantly cheaper than Schreiber)

don`t buy anything made in japan if it involves wood. Japan is running out of quality wood.

Hi all
V interested to read comments on ebay bassoons. Just sold my Puchner at Howarths for nearly 7K and want a real bargain that plays ok. I no longer want a pro bsn but a 3 figure bargain just to blow in local orchestras. (too many children at home to practise nower days!!) What are "saramande"? like? Any advise more useful than you get what you pay for!?

Xinghi (not sure of spelling) is made in Bejing. This is one of the more reputable instrument makers in China. Also, check into instruments made in Taiwan. The LA Sax company is located there and I have two saxes from them. They are of equal quality to Yamaha, Yanagisawa and Selmer. I was skeptical at first but many of these instruments, if distributed by a good US firm, will allow you to return it if you don`t like it (with in two weeks). Another thing to look at the is the warrenty. My Taiwanese saxes came with one year full warrenty and they stood behind it because I returned one and they sent me a new one.

what would you do if someone gave you a Conn wooden bassoon they had found hiding in a basement?

Cathy, I suggest you take the basoon to your local middle/high school and have the band director check it out. If you don`t want it and it checks out with the director a good possiblity is to donate to the school (and take the tax write-off- get receipt for it from director). School are Always needing instruments and with budget cuts nationwide Band programs are really getting hit hard.

I agree with the previous writer entirely - if you are not a bassoonist then a great thing to do would be to see if any of the school bands in your area would want it. If you do play, you might take it to a music shop which repairs woodwinds and get them to evaluate it. It might turn out to be better than the one you have!