Contrabassoon. Nominal pitch: C.

Buffet Crampon

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Instrument

Double bassoon

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Buffet Crampon

Place Made

Western Europe ; Paris ; Europe ; France

Date Made

Circa 1920

Description

Technical description: Stained rosewood with german silver keys and crook (original). Alternative bells for compass to C₁ (of wood) and compass to B♭[0] (of metal); 23 or 24 key covered holes respectively. Harmonic key 2 also closes E for R0. With water key. L0: C; B♭; harm 1; harm 2; E♭; D; C♯. L1: E. L2: D; F♯ trill. L3: C: E♭. L4: C♯, linked to D key for L2. R0: alt B♭; E; F♯. R1: B♮. R2: A. R3: B♭; G, both with rollers. R4: F; A♭, both with rollers. With case. Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No. 264; Waterhouse 1983, item 30. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.85. (Reid Collection).

Other Information

Specific usage history: For many years this was the only contrabassoon in Edinburgh, and was used on all occasions the Reid Orchestra or any other orchestra required one. Maintenance problems and the arrival in Edinburgh of several modern contrabassoons let to the retirement of this one c 1990.

Notes

L.G. Langwill, 1981; W.R. Waterhouse, 1993, 1983.

Measurements

Instrument: Case: 40.64cm wide, 16.51cm tall, 128.27cm long. ; 1655 (with short bell); 1728 (with long bell); crook 290.