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Information Booth
Here you will find nifty information on a variety of topics that (hopefully)
you will find helpful on your quest to Double Reed Enlightenment :)
Helpful Hints. General tips and advice for minor repair work, instrument care, reed help, etc.
Oboe Tip Dimensions Chart. With this chart one can compare the dimensions of many popular oboe shaper
tips. Reprinted with the kind permission of Bob Hubbard at Westwind Precision Machining.
Oboe Guide. Specifically designed for a curious
student, our Oboe Guide conveniently catagorizes options, and provides links to the appropriate sections of the site.
Bassoon Guide. A good starting point for beginning a bassoon search.
English Horn Tip Dimensions Chart. You guessed it . . .
Heckel Bocal Info. What do all of those letters mean? Here's a complete description...
Fox Double Star Bassoon Bocals. The summer of 1998 brought
Fox's new Double Star bassoon bocals. Here is some detailed info on them.
Lorée Serial Number Age List. A rough time line of Lorée serial numbers.
We hope to make this more complete soon.
Helpful Hints
Hello! Welcome to the double reed help section, featuring general playing & care hints along with helpful info about the nebulous
world of repair (i.e. "Which screw to turn and which not to touch.")
Had You Thought of This?
It works best in practicing to decide what you're going to work on before you start to play.
Having a plan insures that the practice session will be more productive and efficient.
Also, it gets really boring practicing the same thing for an hour. Divide up the time into shorter sessions,
taking a little break in the middle. This will also help in remembering what you've learned.
Repair Hint
Of course, routine maintenance on your instrument is a must. A few things to keep in mind:
About every 6 months, use a very small amount of oil at the end of each key or lever.
Every time you play, swab the oboe thoroughly and wipe off the keys (with a polishing cloth) and body with a soft cloth.
Also, check the corks and keep a very small amount of grease on the tenon corks. NOTE: Keep grease off of the body of the oboe (especially the G# tonehole
and pads). For bassoonists, use wax (parafin) on wrapped tenons and do not use
dental floss to attempt to make the fit tighter. Annually, have the instrument checked by a repair technician to keep adjustments and seal at their best.
Oboe Tip Dimensions Chart
With this chart one can compare the dimensions of many popular oboe shaper tips. Reprinted with the kind permission of Bob Hubbard at Westwind Precision Machining.
Click on the thumbnail for a bigger copy. Note: This is a large image and could take a while to load.
English Horn Tip Dimensions Chart
Click on the thumbnail for a bigger copy. Note: This is a large image and could take a while to load.
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 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
and the thinner, D, are usually best made from the harder alloy (Z). However, there is available the C bore in hard
German silver.
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.
Fox Double Star Bassoon Bocals
The new 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. Starting June 1, 1998, they are included with all new Fox Model 601 and 660 bassoons.
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. Starting June 1, 1998, they are included with all Fox
Long and Short Bore Models and with Renard Model 240 and 220 bassoons.
Material: Nickel Silver
Material Option: Brass
Plating Options: Unplated, Nickel, Silver, Gold
(Gold plating has an extra charge)
Go to MMI's Catalog - Bocals Section
Lorée Serial Number Age List
This list is to give you an idea of how the Lorée serial numbers line up with the years of manufacture. With these numbers and a
little interpolation, you can get a good idea of the age of an instrument, but note that some of these, especially the older
ones, are approximate.
| XX |
1930s |
| BX |
1964 |
| CA |
1965 |
| CI |
1967 |
| CU |
1973 |
| DK |
1975 |
| FG |
1981 |
| HI-HO |
1985 |
| HQ |
1986 |
| IM |
1988 |
| JC |
1989 |
| JE |
1990 |
| KR-KY |
1993 |
| LP |
1995 |
| LV |
1996 |
| MA-MN |
1997 |
| MY |
1998 |
| ND |
1999 |
| NO-NQ |
2000 |
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