http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html/1,1756/ripamonti_contrabass1.JPG

i'm not sure if the link works or not...
anyway, when you find the picture, look on the far left, past the various clainet family instruments, and you will see it.

I think I'm in love...

Want a metal bassoon? Get a sarrusophone. *adds "sarrusophone" to Firefox's spelling dictionary* Also... I WANT THOSE CLARINETS THEY ARE SOO NICE. Gold keywork, neck, and bell... rosewood body? ON CONTRAS? SO NICE. *waannt*

My bell ring pops right off... I have a wooden fox with a plastic white/starting-to-yellow ring. Dunno why it doesn't fit, but I think it's not a perfect circle. I just put some scotch tape around the edge of the bell and I can twist the ring on semi-tight that it doesn't fall off just from centrifugal force. It works quite well, I've hit my bookshelf above my computer with it about a dozen times and done no damge. ... to the bassoon. Knocked all the books on my head, but my head's a little damaged anyways - I choose play the bassoon.

By the way... carrying a bassoon around a low room with a ceiling fan on full power - NOT a good idea. No incidents though. Yet. One more reason for me to hate summer, though.

looked up surrosaphone... (I know I spelled it wrong)
The pictures are pretty cool. Wish I could get my hands on one...

Cosmetically, I definately prefer the German. I think they are more traditional and nostalgic.

*STILL DESIRES GOLDEN BASSOON GREATLY* Welcome back tenorsaxist. You've been gone for a while

I love the look of a TRUE french bell...
Put personally I love my German bell with a white ring. Compact makes me happy too :D

I am unsure if some people understand what a real french bell looks like. Here's a link to help :
http://www.charlesmusic.com/images/products/iub208_bell.jpg

That was certainly interesting. Was that on a German Bassoon, or a French One? I have never actually heard a French Bassoon... I'll have to look it up. Either way, I still prefer the look and familarity of the German.

AK42, Thanks for the welcome back. Drum Major Tryouts, Computer issues, and the likes of life got in the way!

Oh dear... Well you see, there is a completely different system of Bassoons from the typical German (which is popular basically everywhere). The different system is called the French system, because well, it originated out of France. It has a more reedy sound than the German Bassoon, and has quite different fingerings. The bell I had a link to was made by Heckel, but is made for a German Bassoon - it is a cosmetic option. Although, the bell on a French Bassoon looks the same (except for the bore width).
I hope that explained some of it.