| OUR HOURS |
Monday-Thursday: 9AM - 6PM
Friday: 9AM - 5PM
Saturdays: 10AM - 2PM
Central Time
We strongly recommend calling ahead for Saturday instrument trial appointments.
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| BASIC SHIPPING CHARGES |
For Shopping Cart Items
U.S. (lower 48 states):
$0-$50....................$6.50
$50.01-100............$7.50
$Over 100.00........$8.75
Priority Mail Shipments-add $7.00
Shipping Details
(Please call for Express and International rates.)
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| Looking for rare winds, percussion and stringed instruments? |
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| Learn about various hardwoods: |
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English Horn Bocals
| Hiniker bocals (lengths: #1, #2, #3; bore sizes: 10-13; bore style: regular and "Brilliant") |
$335.00 |
| Lorée (#1, #2, #3, #1H, #2H, #3H) |
$168.00 |
| Lorée gold-plated (#1, #2) |
$320.00 |
| Laubin (#1, #2, #3) |
$415.00 |
| Lickman silver |
$173.00 |
| Lickman gold |
$190.00 |
| Ross bocals (length #2, tip length regular or short) - These bocals are machined on a metal lathe - no seams or soldering. |
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| Ross bocal - RWS L2 Brass (Special order) |
$185 |
| Ross bocal - RWS L2 Silver |
$220 |
| Ross bocal - RWS LS2 Silver |
$220 |
| Ross bocal - RWS L2 Gold |
$260 |
| USED BOCALS |
Oboe d'Amore Bocals
| Lorée (#1, #2, #3) |
$170.00 |
| Laubin (#1, #2, #3) |
$410.00 |
| USED BOCALS |
Bassoon Bocals
Heckel bocals (C, CC, CCXL, CD, VCD, VCDE, VC & VCC in #1, & 2: nickel, silver, or gold-plated) Heckel Bocal Info.
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Nickel-plated
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$860 |
Silver-plated - limited quantities
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$860 |
Gold-plated - currently out of stock
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$1,015 |
| Fox C bocal |
$155.00 |
| Fox CVX bocal |
$315.00 |
| Fox CVC bocal #1 |
$225.00 |
| Fox CVC bocal #2 & 3 |
$315.00 |
| Fox *CVX* bocal |
$440.00 Overstock sale (Silver-plated only): $325.00 |
| Fox *CVC* bocal |
$440.00 |
| Fox *CTX* bocal |
$440.00 |
| Fox *CTC* bocal |
$440.00 |
| Fox Bassoon Bocal Details/Specifications |
| Yamaha Super Bocals (ENS, PNS, VNS, CNS in #1 or 2) Details/Specs. |
Silver or nickel-plated: $350, Hamilton-plating: $400 |
| Golden Bamboo bocal #2 |
$45.00 |
Bassoon Bocal Specials
Heckel Bocals |
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Fox Bocals (Overstock - NEW) |
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CVC #1 only
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$225 |
Contrabassoon Bocals
| Fox Contrabassoon Bocal - Special order |
$315 |
| Heckel Contrabassoon Bocal |
Special Order |
| USED BASSOON BOCALS |
Bocal Trial Information
English horn & d'Amore bocals - We allow a 2-week trial period, starting when you receive the bocals. We can send up to 3 EH or d'Amore bocals at one time.
You are only obligated to prepay the shipping and insurance, which is charged to credit card. Please call for availability as well as shipping methods and charges.
Bassoon Bocals - We will allow up to four bassoon bocals to be sent out for a 2-week trial. We ship bassoon bocals by UPS GROUND, unless specified otherwise, for a flat
shipping and insurance fee of $14.00 for continental U.S. ($24.00 for Alaska and Hawaii) which is charged to credit card. Please call for availability.
Fox Bassoon Bocals - Bore Descriptions
The C bore stresses resonance and clarity of sound. It is extremely smooth and uniform in tone with excellent slightly-flexible intonation.
It has an abundance of middle and upper middle partials in the sound and its smoothness contributes nicely to chamber music and to instruments with
non-uniform tone and intonation. It is made in brass with nickel plating.
The CV bore is the C bore with a variable wall thickness at some nodal points to reduce resistance. It is generally preferred by
players using very soft reeds.
The CVX bore is similar in proportions to the C and CV bores, but it has more substance in the tone, and
provides better control of the upper and middle registers. It has slightly less resistance in the high notes than the CVC, and is slightly
more open in tone quality. It projects well, and particularly fits the design of the long and short bore bassoons.
The CVC bore stresses the fundamental tones of the instrument, providing a warmer and heavier tone than the CVX. It has a slightly
more resistance in the upper end, requiring more support when playing in the solo registers, but yields more fullness in the middle and lower registers
than the CVX. It fits the design of the thick wall models, and is sometimes helpful in stabilizing wild notes in the older designs.
The Contrabassoon bocal is based on the principal of the C bore bassoon bocal. It is individually matched to the instrument to which it is sold.
Both nickel and silver plating are available on these bocals. Silver plating tends to darken and soften the tone, while nickel plating brightens,
increases resonance and adds to projection.
Fox Double Star Bassoon Bocals
The Fox Double Star CVC and CVX bocals combine the latest advances in materials and design, along with Fox's high level of
hand craftsmanship.
*CVC*
Emphasizing modern tonal concepts, it has a lower pitched upper register along with a very full tone quality throughout its
entire range.
Material: Nickel Silver
Material Option: Brass
Plating Options: Unplated, Nickel, Silver, Gold
(Gold plating has an extra charge)
*CVX*
Slightly more open and brighter than the *CVC*, it has a higher pitched upper register and is more
compatible with older bassoon designs. These bocals are included with all Fox Renard Model 240 and 220 bassoons.
Material: Nickel Silver
Material Option: Brass
Plating Options: Unplated, Nickel, Silver, Gold
(Gold plating has an extra charge)
*CTX* & *CTC*
The newest additions to the Fox bassoon bocal line are the Double Star *CTX* and *CTC* bocals. These bocals are based on the *CVX*
and *CVC* designs, but have a thinner wall for improved response. These bocals are now included with all of the new Fox professional bassoons.
Yamaha Bassoon Bocals
Yamaha offers four types of bocals to match the widest possible range of musical requirements:
C Type - This configuration has a smooth, consistent feel from the lowest to highest tones for excellent playability.
The C type bocal features extremely accurate intonation with rich tonal character. This is the "standard" Super Bocal model, and
is an ideal choice for all-around playing.
E Type - The E type bocal combines comfortable breath resistance with a beautiful round tone which is constant throughout
the instrument's range. Pianissimo low-notes are especially easy to play with this bocal. An excellent match for the symphony
orchestra, chamber orchestra, or other ensemble.
P Type - Outstanding high-range playability and tone make this bocal ideal for the soloist or first-chair orchestra player.
In addition to high register security, the P-type bocal also offers a strong midrange with well-balanced low tones.
V Type - The V type bocal combines many of the best properties of the C, E, and P types. It features easy playability,
outstanding expressive capability, and an exceptionally well-defined tonal core. Excellent clarity for both classical and modern compositions.
Material
Bassoon bocals are normally constructed from either brass or nickel silver. Nickel silver is the standard Super Bocal material because of its
well-controlled resonance and superior projection characteristics. Nickel silver is also highly resistant to corrosion for extended life and
durability. Brass, available as an option, offers outstanding playing comfort with a soft, fluid timbre.
Finish
Yamaha offers a choice of three types of finish to match individual musical requirements: Silver plate (standard), Hamilton plate, and nickel plate.
The standard silver-plate finish produces a soft, warm tone with versatile expressive capability. Hamilton plate - an alloy of gold and nickel -
is extremely resistant to wear and discoloration, and delivers a powerful tone with excellent projection. Nickel plate is an ideal match for brass
bocals, giving the overall sound added clarity and definition.
Heckel Bocal Info
Perhaps the most integral part of the bassoon is the bocal. Using a high quality bocal on even an intermediate instrument can
greatly improve every aspect of the bassoon. For many many years, Heckel has supplied bassoonists the world over with bocals
specifically suited for each individual instrument. There are thousands (literally!) of combinations for Heckel bocals,
and it is important to know what you are looking for in tone, intonation, and compatibility with your 'set-up' (reeds,
instrument, etc.).
First of all, the type of bore is available in two different thicknesses: 0.5mm & 0.6mm. Bocals with the D
marking designate the thinner walled bocals (0.5mm). The normal thickness of 0.6mm usually compliments better the conical design
of the bassoon. The B or BB mark is designed for easy response, especially for the higher register, but sometimes
causing difficulties in the middle and lower registers. An E marking denotes a smaller tip opening. V type bocals
are designed for better response in the high register and a more balanced mid-range. Alongside of the V and E type, the
newer XL bocals are specifically designed for response and better resonance in the higher notes. These types (V, E,
and XL) have proven very compatible with older Heckel instruments.
The letter above the cork denotes the type of 'basic metal'. Heckel bocals can be made from two different German silver
alloys, the harder marked with a Z and the softer being N. The thicker walled bocals are designated CC (typically made with soft German silver 'N')
and the thinner, D, are usually best made from the harder alloy (Z). However, there is available the C bore in hard
German silver ('Z').
Goldbrass (G) alloy is the most popular composition in bocals, and is most applicable in chamber settings. These
bocals have a softer sound.
Bocals marked with S above the cork are made from sterling silver 935 and is somewhat alike to the goldbrass crooks,
with a slightly brighter tone quality.
Gold bocals are marked with AU and described as having a 'medium hard' sound.
Because of recent concerns for allergies associated with the German silver alloy, Heckel has discovered a substitute alloy,
that of Palladium, marked as PD. This metal produces an excellent sound, however, the cost of the raw material is
reflected in the cost of the bocal.
Heckel bocals are available without plating, but also in nickel-, silver- or gold-plate. Also, they come in lengths of 00, 0,
1, 2, 3, & 4. Bocals at a length of 1 are pitched at A 442. Special 'bends' can be made with proper illustration and explanation, depending on the requirements of the musician.
The new XL bend has been specially developed for response and tone quality of the upper register of the bassoon. This bocal
is available in the CC bore type and the usual lengths and plates.
Because each bassoon is specific in character to its player, there are many variables to consider when trying bocals. As well,
every instrument will react differently with different bocals-even those of the exact same designation. Because of these
differences in technique, reeds, perception and approach to the instrument, it is wise to try as many bocals as is possible
(even if they aren't from the same manufacturer).
We offer many different bocals from Heckel, Fox, and Yamaha. They can be available for a 2 week trial period, with a credit
card for freight and security. Please call for availability and questions.
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