What is the general level of quality of Kohlert vs. Fox/Renard? I am a student interested in a good intermediate level bassoon for HS. I need to know if Kohlert is a reputable brand or more of an off brand.

i`ve never even heard of it so my guess is its probably not a very reputable company of quality product

I have a Kolhert bassoon it plays decently a little sharp in low register tho

I had one, but I just sent it to Germany, because every note played a half step down.

Before World War II Kohlert was in Czechoslovakia. They moved to Germany after the war. Older Kohlerts up to about the 1970`s are pretty good. Then Kohlert went bankrupt and eventually became what is now Moosmann. However, the name "Kohlert" has been recently used for some cheap imported Chinese bassoons.

So a used Kohlert may be pretty good, but a new "Kohlert" probably won`t be.

acutally, kolert bassoon were very good up until just after WWII. after that they were soviet run etc.
you can read about it here: http://idrs.colorado.edu/Publications/DR/DR13.1/DR13.1.Lein.Kohlert.html

A pre-war Kohlert can be an exceptional buy (before WWII). These bassoons were made by devoted Czech professionals who used the best wood, etc., and one from that time will have good hard wood in it, and if kept up during all the years will have all the "bugs" worked out of it. I would stay away from Kohlerts in the later years. Unfortunately it is hard to find these older ones and the serial numbering system has been lost, I think. A reputable repairman can estimate age on these, however.

i have a pre-war kohlert bassoon without a serial number but its mine