Heckel Bassoon SN 3920 Formerly Property of Archie Camden EXCELLENT

Here is an amazing Heckel bassoon. 

Serial number is 3920, making this one of the earlier Heckel instruments, made in the early 20th century according to Heckel. This is a long bore instrument, and while the sound is not as robust as Heckel's later instruments, it has a beautiful supple sound that is ideal for chamber music or 19th century historical performance. 

The whisper key is an obvious addition to the instrument, and it appears to have been added before they had really figured the whole whisper key thing out, as it works the opposite way that a modern whisper key does (opening the key when depressed). According to our professional bassoonist, it can also function somewhat as a high D facilitator key. This instrument has just had a full repad in our shop and plays very well - please see a video of our professional bassoonist playing it on YouTube.

This instrument was once the property of bassoon virtuoso Archie Camden. Included in the sale of this instrument is a handwritten receipt and letter by Archie Camden regarding the sale of this instrument to its next owner for the sum of 135 British pounds (an awful lot of money back in the 1950s) as well as documentation regarding its date of manufacture from Heckel researched by the new owner. I am not certain but I believe this might be the bassoon pictured on the cover of Mr. Camden's album 'Bassoon Concertos'. In any case it is a fine instrument that awaits a new home. Includes a Heckel 1B bocal with a whisper key of the same style that Mr. Camden can be seen playing in numerous historical photographs.

Provenance: The Robert Howe collection. Dr. Robert Howe is a well known researcher and historian of woodwind instruments and spent a lifetime collecting rare and unique instruments. We are privileged to offer instruments from this collection for sale.

Please feel free to email with any additional questions!