The largest and most complete collection of bassoon in the world can be viewed in the Instrumental Museum located on the second floor of the Heckel Bassoon Factory in Biebrich am Rhein, Germany.
The oldest bassoon in the collection is dated 1650. It was made by Johann Georg Eisenmenger of Leipzig. The shape and size approximate the bassoons of today. However, there are only five keys, and these are made of wood. The main body is maple wood which is still the wood used today.
The "newest" bassoon in this collection of 63 (sixty-three) was made by Heckel-Biebrich in 1894. This model has twenty metal keys, silver plated. The wing joint is rubber lined as is the right side of the boot joint. The wood is maple. This model has all the characteristic of the modern bassoon.
The greatest improvements to date, if indeed they are great, are in the treatment and curing of the wood, tone hole and bore variations and differences in construction of the bocals.
To list all of the bassoons would be superfluous since a publication is now available which lists all of the specifics in addition to clearly illustrated pencil sketches drawn to scale on 7 1/2 x 10 inch pages. There are 45 sketches, although 65 bassoons are presented. Included are bassoons manufactured by Boosey-Hawkes, Buffet, Horak of Prague and many more. Also included is an index of Musical Woodwind Instrument Makers by Lyndesay G. Langwill of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The publication is titled "Musikhistorisches Museum" and can be purchased from: Mr. Franz Groffy, Heckel K.G., Stettiner Strasse 7, Biebrich am Rhein 6202, West Germany. I believe that bassoonist, music educators, and musicologists will find this book of significant value and interest. The price is $15.00.
(Editor's note - Harry H. Meuser is a fine bassoonist and was formerly Assistant Conductor of the United States Air Force Band and Orchestra of Washington, D.C. He is the son of Hans Meuser, for many years first bassoon of the Cincinnati Symphony.)