Wolf, Walter, & Kronwalt Bassoons
The German manufacturers Guntram Wolf and Rudolf Walter were very close friends, and their families and companies continue to honor that friendship through close collaboration.
Walter Bassoons
The Walter bassoon is a modern design bassoon. It boasts a huge dynamic range, incredible response, and a wonderfully even scale. Walter bassoons have a good degree of customization available to them, but in order to streamline the order process MMI pre-selects options as standard. Aside from all the standard key work, which includes high D and E keys, LH Eb trill, and a large number of rollers, our Walter bassoons come with the Ab-Bb trill and high F keys.
In terms of configuration, Walter bassoons come either in standard cut or 5-piece long bell ("Gentleman's" cut).
If you'd like a Walter bassoon with different key work added, please inquire about custom orders.
Wolf Bassoons
Better known as a maker of historical instruments, Guntram Wolf also produces their own line of modern bassoons. These bassoons are manufactured with modern technology and take design cues from acoustical research. As a result, the scale of Wolf bassoons tends to have different tendencies than other, more "traditionally-made" instruments. The have really easy response, especially in the extreme ranges of the instruments. They are also made with a specially-patented LCBearing System, which uses nylon inserts to create smooth and silent key work. This system is an option on Walter bassoons as well.
S2000 Series: The S2000 is the standard bassoon model from Wolf, made for all levels of player. The base S2000 cane be used as a beginner or intermediate bassoon. The S2000+ has a little more key work for intermediate to advanced players. The S2000+V is the same instrument as the plus, but made with a special variety of maple called birdseye maple. It has a more direct sound.
Redline: The Redline is Wolf's professional model, and features a very direct, colorful sound. The name comes from a red line that is etched onto the bell ring, giving it a unique aesthetic appeal.
In addition, any of these models can be made with accommodations for small hands, or a special LT (lightweight) key system. The LT key work is made of a lighter, aluminum-based metal and reduces the weight of the instrument by more than half.
Children's Bassoons
Wolf is also the leading manufacturer of children's bassoons. These are miniature version of the bassoon, designed for children who want to start on the instrument but are not yet big enough for a full size one. They come in three sizes to accommodate the young bassoonist as they get older.
Fg8+: The smallest, this instrument is pitched one octave higher than a standard bassoon. It is meant for 5-6 year olds. It has the most reduced/altered key work because of the size.
Fg5+: Pitched in G, this bassoon cane be used by kids from 7-10. It has more bassoon-like key work, and even has a functional whisper key.
Fg4+: Pitched in F, this instrument is the most similar to a full-size bassoon in terms of tone quality. It's best for 9-12 year olds, until they can use a full-size bassoon. There is also a professional version of this instrument that can be custom ordered.
Kronwalt
To celebrate the close relationship these two companies have, they collaborated on the design of a bassoon model, dubbed the Kronwalt. Kron- comes from Kronach, the name of the town in which Wolf is based, and -walt is for Walter.
This bassoon feels like an entry-level version of the Walter bassoon. It features wood sourced by Walter, who also does the tone holing. The key work is designed and built by Wolf. They are great bassoons for a player looking for a German-made bassoon at a reasonable, or a step-up into a Püchner or Walter.
Like most of our available bassoons, custom orders are possible for any of these instruments. Please inquire about lead times, pricing, and options.
