That is the question. Does anyone have any opinions about Schreiber bassoons? I haven`t played bassoon since high school (over 10 years ago) and would like to play again. (I switched from alto sax to bassoon in 10th grade because our band had an abundance of sax players and no bassoon players!) I`ll have to purchase one because you can`t rent them in this area. I know they`re expensive, but I think I can get a decent price on an Schreiber S13 or S16. Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know what it means if a bassoon is a "conservatory" model?

Thanks!

(P.S. - I`ve been reading all your old posts... you guys are a hoot!)

conservatory= student model

schreibers are under avg. but r usable

hope that helps

ps. i might be getting 1 also

I have played on 2 schrieber bassoons, and i absolutely love them... I played on a professional model from 1973, and i have recently purchased an S16..One thing that sets them apart from any fox/linton is that they are a german made bassoon!!! From my experience the ease of playing on one from the other is significantly distinguishable. The sound to me is just better, I play in a wind ensemble with a girl who plays on a Fox/Renard 240 artist model, and I just blow her bassoon away with my dynamic range and excellent staccatos with the schrieber, her fox sounds soft and weak....although fox bassoons are very nice dont get me wrong, but the good fox bassoons cost alot, the lower end 222-240 models and the plastic ones are JUNK! And you could get a schrieber for the same price....Go for it!

To reply to the last reply (lol), ANY Fox is a good Fox if it`s been looked after through it`s existence. They are the best non-german Bassoon maker, and much cheaper than a Heckel if you think about it.

well i played several schreiber bassoons so far... if you are financially in a tight budget the S16 model is a perfect fit. it resonates evenly throughout its registers and has rather consistent intonations. the S31 master model really does not make tooo much of a difference from the S16 model in terms of playing or superiority in sound and handeling.i recon you get a S16. GO FOR IT!!! schreiber will not disappoint you!!

ok but how is the s13? every1 talks about the s16...

You are probably aware that the s13 is a student model instrument designed for players with smaller hands. If this is a concern for you, consider it. Historical background, if needed--Wentzel Schreiber was the former shop foreman at Puchner, had been with Puchner for about 34 years before going out on his own after WW2, so we are talking about a fair amount of experience at bassooon making (I believe he passed his considerable experience on to his children).
For myself, I latched onto a VERY good deal on a Schreiber. (Model 5016, I think). It`s their top-line professional instrument, and I LOVE IT!!!! As far as I`m concerned, forget about looking for something better; I`ll play this horn until it`s time to lay it on top of me.
Shortly after I purchased it, I had it evaluated by a pro player who offered to swap her Heckel for it; and I don`t think she was kidding. She described it as a songbird, very easy to get a nice singing sound out of it (she said she had to really work to get her Heckel to do what my Schreiber did with almost no effort at all. Based on my experience, yes, go for it, especially if you can get a good price. It will probably do everything you could ever want it to do, and more.

if you are in America....foxes are probably the best instrument to use, i am in britian, and picked up an amazing moosmann.....In britian it cost the same amount in Pounds as it does from america in dollars for foxes, but i have my eye on a fox 201 for my next bassoon, in about 5 years time......just need about £12,000 pounds now LOL

Opinions vary--as noted by the other responses above. I would note that many of the older student-line Schreibers have intonation problems with certain reeds, and appear to be particularly sensitive on the notes e and d in the middle of the bass clef (they may sag). The response of the bassoon--how resonant it is, and how much volume they are capable of, is very dependent upon the player and the reed.

better to buy a simple renard or fox. You`ll never regret it, mainly if you live in usa.

Any opinions on Amati Bassoons? looking at the 81S model or the new 51S-- both described as "professional"

I have a Schreiber bassoon. The only 3 I have ever played have been Schreiber. I don`t like them because I`ve seen others and they look so much better than mine *sniff*

Francez, don`t go by looks. The most beat-up, nicked old bassoon can sound beautiful. As the old beauty ads say, it`s what`s inside that counts. Naturally, you want all the keys to work well, etc., and there to be no cracks inside, but a few nicks or old varnish on a bassoon never hurt anything.

Well... Schreibers can look terrible in perfect condition. After about 3/4 of a year of searching for a decent bassoon for a good price, I`ve noticed you can tell the quality of most S. bassoons by the wood.

The student Schreibers have a monotinous, dark cherry red paint-like colour, no flaming, etc. These are dead ugly for a wooden bassoon.

The better Schreibers have a bright pink to brick red finish, wiht flames on long and wing joints, and stain cloudiness on bell and boot, making these pretty nice-looking.

Zuelgers are advanced student models, being dark brown but having a little variation, but they have a unique tone and are at least more pleasant to look at than the cons. models and Conns.

Conns are plain ugly over 10 years old. They are slightly darker versions of the cons. Schreibers, and again, they look like they were painted rather than stained. These lose condition rapidly and sound a lot worse.

I find that schreibers can be really good or below average. Nothing beats a Puchner!!!!! Aslo stay away from Amati. I aslo hear that Yamaha Bassoons are also very good.