This site provides structural data on 317 original historical bassoons from c.1700 to c.1860 of 132 makers; and 24 modern copies [Revised 5 March 2025]. This includes the following: number of keys, segment lengths, dimensions and position of tone holes, bore profile, and photos of the instruments, including the maker’s stamp. Historical bassoons are from France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Italy, England, and the United States by important makers such as Denner, Eichentopf, Prudent, Grenser, Poerschmann, and Savary, to name a few. The bassoons are found in private and musical instrument museum collections in Europe and the USA [See “Website Collection Locations 15 Feb, 2025”].
I have posted the data for all the 341 individual bassoons in the database and a separate page for each maker. It was necessary to make a page for each of the 132 historical bassoon makers in order to have Google, Bing, and other search engines better index the site. Refer to the “List of Historical Bassoons in the Hichwa-Rachor Database” to see the entire list of bassoons. Even though all the bassoons currently in the database are posted, the work on the website is not by any means finished.
In the near future, I will begin posting a section on the website describing the methods used to obtain the bassoon measurements. This new section will include photos and instructions, enabling other bassoon researchers to duplicate the measurements.
As of February 2025, I have begun to post comparison bassoon data Excel sheets on several makers. These will be posted on the bassoon maker pages and as a separate menu item. For example, the data of the five known Scherer bassoons on one Excel sheet has been posted. These comparison data Excel sheets will enable researchers to quickly compare the similarities and differences of these Scherer bassoons.
Regarding the detailed bibliography of sources used to obtain information on the bassoons on the website, in the past, this list was presented on each General Information sheet for each bassoon. This method was found to be time-consuming since it required much moving of documents within WordPress. As of 1 February, the most complete list of Bibliographical sources that refer to the maker and his bassoons are found on the maker’s pages.
I recently posted a version of my “User Guide to the Database of Historical Bassoons.” This document explains how to use the general information and data spreadsheets. Terms such as “Two-piece saddle on F key flap and touch” or “Bell Flare” are discussed. It is necessary to read the entire guide to know precisely what data is presented.
Remember that in the bassoon titles, an “O” signifies an original bassoon, and a “C” indicates a modern copy of a historical bassoon. In addition, the number following directly after the maker’s name refers to the order in which a particular bassoon of the same maker was entered into the database. For example, “Porthaux8-O-BrusMIM3118” means this bassoon was the eighth bassoon by the maker Dominique Porthaux entered into the database.
Take a look at the “Photo Gallery of Instrument Makers, Researchers, Players, and Instruments” and the “Photo Gallery Dedicated to William Waterhouse.” All these photos are from my personal photo collection and cannot be seen anywhere else.
Speaking of photos, I must give a disclaimer regarding the photos of the bassoons; they are not by any means of professional quality. They were taken in all conditions, including poor lighting, and in all cases quickly. One is always under time constraints when conducting research at a museum or a private collection. There is much to be done, and taking photos is only one item that needs to be accomplished.