Best
Bassoon for Beginners
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Overall: Produces warm, vibrant tones with its maple body
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Best Feature: Boasts four rollers for an easy key changeover
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Intermediate Bassoon
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Overall: Built with a red maple body
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Best Feature: Produces an exceptionally rich and resonant tone
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Professional Bassoon
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Overall: Built with the highest quality of woods
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Best Feature: Provides exceptional projection and a rich, complex tone
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TedScore™: 10/10
The bassoon, a wooden instrument featuring a unique double reed, often steals the spotlight in orchestras and concert bands. Its sound brings a deep, rich expressiveness that really makes it pop. Known as the heart of the woodwind family, the bassoon dazzles with its ability to adapt to a mix of musical styles.
But, how much does a bassoon cost? Well, whether you’re a newbie or a pro, the bassoon cost is crucial to consider before purchasing. From a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands of dollars/pounds, the price of a bassoon depends on various factors like the material, brand, and craftsmanship.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of bassoons, their associated costs, and what you can expect to get for your hard-earned money. By the end of this fun and informative read, you’ll better understand the factors contributing to a bassoon’s price.
So, let’s dive in and learn all about bassoon pricing!
Factors Affecting Bassoon Cost
If you’re in the market for a bassoon instrument, you’ll quickly realise that the bassoon price range is vast. Several factors contribute to the cost of a bassoon, and understanding these factors can help you make an informed decision when purchasing one. Here are some of the key factors that affect the bassoon cost:
Materials Used
Most bassoons are made of wood, which is a costly material. However, some of these double-reed woodwind instruments are made of plastic, which is a more affordable option.
The type of wood used can also affect the price, with higher quality woods commanding a higher price.
Additionally, the metal components of a bassoon, such as the keys and screws, can also impact the price.
Brand Reputation
Some brands are known for producing high-quality instruments and have a long history of excellence, which can drive the price up.
Brands of other woodwind instruments may be less well-known or have a reputation for producing lower-quality ones, which can result in a lower price point.
New vs. Used
New bassoons are typically more expensive than used ones, but they benefit from a quality instrument being in pristine condition. Used bassoons can be a more affordable option, for example, but you’ll want to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable seller to ensure the instrument is in good condition.
Additional Costs to Consider
Accessories
When purchasing a bassoon, it’s important to consider the additional accessories you may need. These can include a case, reeds, a seat strap, a music stand, and a metronome. These accessories can add up quickly, so it’s important to budget for them.
Maintenance
Like any musical instrument, a bassoon requires regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. This includes cleaning the instrument after each use, oiling the keys, and replacing pads and corks as needed. I’ve learned from experience that budgeting for these costs is crucial, as neglecting maintenance can ultimately result in even more expensive repairs down the line.
Average Cost of a Bassoon
The cost of a bassoon can vary depending on the brand, the quality of the materials used, and the level of the player. Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of bassoons in various ranges.
Student Models
Student bassoons are the basic models and most affordable type of bassoon designed for beginners. They’re typically made from plastic or a composite material, making them more durable and less expensive than other bassoons.
The average cost of a student model bassoon is around £/$1,500 to £/$3,000.
DESIGNED FOR: ensemble players
FEATURES: Produces warm, vibrant tones with its maple body
OTHER INFO: Boasts four rollers for an easy key changeover
Schreiber S10 Bassoon
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With a sound hole that has been precisely filed for precise intonation
- Offers dynamic playability
- With a natural finish for a gorgeous look
- Only has one crook, which may limit the range of playing options
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Intermediate Models
Intermediate models are wood instruments designed for players who have advanced beyond the beginner level. They’re typically wood-made and have a more refined sound than student models.
The average cost of an intermediate-model bassoon is around £/$4,000 to £/$8,000.
DESIGNED FOR: students and advancing players
FEATURES: Built with a red maple body
OTHER INFO: Produces an exceptionally rich and resonant tone
FOX 240 Bassoon
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With a full German system with a high D key
- Has a short bore
- Flexible and free-blowing with a strong "singing" quality
- A trusted favourite brand in schools
- Comes with only two bocals, which may limit the range of playing options
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Professional Models
Professional models are the highest quality bassoons designed for advanced players and professionals. They’re typically made from the finest of quality wood materials and have a rich, complex sound.
The average cost of a professional model bassoon is around £/$8,000 to £/$20,000 or more.
The Fox 680 bassoon stands out from other bassoons with its versatile design, combining the power and depth of the 600-model bassoons with the expressive qualities of the 200-models, resulting in a rich, powerful bass and a singing tenor register.
One drawback of the product may be its relatively high cost, but it is still worth buying due to its exceptional craftsmanship, rich tonal qualities, and the versatility it offers for professional musicians.
I remember the first time I held the Fox 680 bassoon in my hands, I noticed that it had a solid and substantial feel, with well-balanced keywork and a comfortable grip, allowing me to play with ease and have better control over the instrument.
DESIGNED FOR: Professional Players
COMES WITH: 26 Keys
FEATURES: Orchestral and solo musicx
Fox 680
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Beautiful projection and wide dynamic range
- Wide range of options for extra keys
- Available with a ‘gentleman model’ bell for easy travelling
- Extra keywork can make it heavy
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Why Should You Buy a Bassoon than Rent?
If you’re considering playing the bassoon, you might wonder whether to rent or buy an instrument. There are several reasons why buying or renting a bassoon might be a better choice for you.
If you’re starting out, renting band instruments like the bassoon might be a good option. And if you’re unsure if the bassoon is the right instrument for you, renting allows you to try some used instruments without committing to a purchase.
Additionally, if you’re on a tight budget, renting can also be a more affordable option in the short term.
But if you’re serious about playing the bassoon and plan to continue for a while, buying your own instrument can be a worthwhile investment.
It can save you money in the long run, give you more control over the quality of the new instrument itself, be more comfortable to play, and show your long-term commitment to the instrument and your music.
How Much Does A Bassoon Cost?
Summary
Learning to play the bassoon can be a rewarding experience, but it does come with a price tag. The cost of a bassoon can vary greatly depending on the instrument’s type, quality, and brand. As we’ve seen, plastic bassoons can cost anywhere from £/$1,500 to £/$4,500, while a wood bassoon can cost from £/$3,000 to £/$9,000.
If you’re looking for a used bassoon, you can expect to pay as little as £/$650 or as much as £/$12,000. We have an article that features our recommended 21 bassoons; check it out here.
If you’re serious about playing the bassoon, it’s worth investing in a high-quality double-reed instrument to help you achieve your musical goals.
However, it may seem like a lot of money upfront, but a good quality bassoon can last many years with proper care and maintenance.
Thanks a bunch for reading this article! We hope it gave you some helpful insights into the cost of a bassoon. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, there’s a perfect bassoon out there waiting for you. So, don’t be shy. Take the leap, invest in a bassoon, and let the beautiful music flow!
Good luck with your search – and do take a look at our useful Bassoon Buying Guide for more information.
Before you go…
Buying your new bassoon is just the start of an amazing musical journey. For the best playing experience with your new woodwind instrument, jump into this next article!
Bassoons have 20 thumb keys alone. There are so many moving mechanisms, springs, and the main bore of the bassoon has to be precisely accurate in dimension, as do all of the individually bored key holes. The type of wood or material used imparts tone as well.
In order to get good sound vs precise sound, all of these moving parts need to work accurately and effectively over and over again over many years. Silver keys provide long-lasting reliable movement. Silver is going up in price.
Plastic is ok, but it can throw off a young developing aspiring bassoonist’s sense of tone that the instrument can reach. Though, it’s a great way for a young student to have access to an instrument they would otherwise not have the chance to play.