Some bassoonists would prefer to carry their instruments in a case lighter than the monsters currently in use. Additionally, air travel regulations for size of carry-on baggage are getting tighter every year. When I saw the fine, efficiently designed case for the Buffet bassoon, looking more like a small trumpet case and yet safely holding a full-sized bassoon, I decided to build such a case for my antique Heckel bassoon, 3000 series.
The inside dimensions are 14 1/2 cm square x the length of the long joint (plus a couple millimeters clearance). Since bassoon dimensions are always a little different from instrument to instrument, and since Heckel dimensions have most probably changed between the 3500 series and the 12000 series, I can't give you exact dimensions to fit a particular instrument. But you should be able to modify my dimensions easily to suit a given bassoon.
Fit the blocks for the butt joint and bell joint to the bottom of the case. Face each block with felt as it is installed. Glue the block on the end-piece so that it is a few millimeters too high (allowing the bell and butt joint to wobble). Plane the lower edge until it fits exactly. Glue the end in place. Putting screws through the bottom of the case into the end will make the joint stronger. Attach the other end in the same manner.
Make the flap. Its length can be determined by measuring with the bell and butt joint in place. With felt, face the grooves for the long joint and the wing joint. (My drawings are not exactly to scale. The flap is slightly less than half the length of the case). Measure the height it must be to lie level. Cut wood pieces exactly to that width to make the storage compartment under the flap. (You may find a more suitable place to store the bocals, and thus get a larger compartment.)
Supporting the flap on the compartment, screw the hinges to the end of the case. Inspect to see that everything fits, with all parts of the bassoon sitting in place. Be sure that any surface touching the instrument has been cushioned with felt.
Remove the instrument from the case. Glue in the front and back walls and the compartment partitions.
The lid of the case is a simple flat board of (good quality) wood. Attach it with hinges to the back wall, and with latches to the front wall of the case.
Make the blocks for the lid and face them with felt. Put the bassoon back in the case, and place the lid-blocks on their correct positions on the long and wing joints. The blocks should be a little too thick so that the lid will not close completely at this point. Plane down each block until the lid just closes. Spread a layer of glue on the block surfaces which contact the lid. Set the felt lined ends of the blocks on the bassoon (be careful not to get any glue on the bassoon!), close the lid and lock it. When the glue has dried, open the case, remove the instrument, attach the handle; finish the case as you desire. Add a custom made canvas rain cover with zipper to the case for extra protection from the elements--and you will have the smallest and neatest case for bassoon on your block.
