Hi everyone,

I'm feeling a bit down in the dumps - yesterday, my long-awaited Schreiber bassoon arrived after its long journey from the US here to Australia. It's a gorgeous old instrument - over 50 years old, beautiful tone...but the low F key won't move - I just can't depress it at all.

I'm assuming that the damage occurred in transit...and it's definitely a mechanical problem.

I know nothing about bassoon repairs, but I do have a friend here who is a professional bassoonist, and I'm hoping he can fix it - only problem is, he's away overseas for another week.

Which means I can't play my new instrument in the meantime (

Plus I'm feeling very anxious. I know it's hard to diagnose a problem through words alone, but has anyone any idea what could be causing this key to react in this way? I'm hoping it's something simple, like a dislodged spring...

Any ideas? Please help allay my anxieties...at least until my friend returns next week.

Thanks in advance,
Angharad.

Could be just binding keys - good things come to those who wait!

MercifulMe...pardon my ignorance, but what are "binding keys?" Interesting term...wish I knew what it meant! And if it's a bassoon "affliction," is it easily cured?

Cheers,
Angharad.

Sorry for not explaining myself - Bassoon keys bind when the instrument has a large change in environment, ex. humidity or temperature (or so is my understanding). The shifting of the wood causes the keys to not operate properly, so some keys may not close, some may stay closed, who knows. Since your Bassoon came from overseas from you, that is just what my guess would be. Most repairmen can fix those problems quite easily.

Many thanks for your explanation...my poor bassoon, coming from a searingly hot American summer to our bleak, cold, wet Australian winter - yes, I think I'd have a few odd physical reactions, too!

Fingers crossed the problems are easily fixed...I just have to exercise a bit of patience now, and wait for my bassoonist friend to come back next week. It's so frustrating not being able to play the instrument in the meantime!

But as you say, good things do indeed happen to those who wait...

Cheers,
Angharad.

this should be an easy fix. http://www.music-oldtimer.com is an musical Instrument Vendor selling Bassoons, Oboes, Clarinets, vintage Saxophones and Instrument parts online. I purchased from them my Schreiber Bassoon a few years ago and I'm so happy with they service and products. This is a real U.S. based Company with a excellent Repair Shop and Show Room.
also I know they had a repair Tech who worked for Schreiber in Germany back in the 1970's. may you want to contact them for quick help: http://www.music-oldtimer.com/en/instruments/bassoons

As MercifulMe said, when going into a new environment, the wood may expand or contract. This is an extreme problem with new bassoons from season to season before the wood "settles". All bassoons should be "tuned up" once a year meaning all the keys are tested and tweaked for pressure against pads as well as general mobility. It may not be a bad idea to have the whole instrument adjusted.