Kohelert is supposed to be out of production but:

Here is a Kohlert update: Recently I have been seeing new Koehlerts in a few very different places. They really appear to be good-quality, with some really nice flaming and features. Then again you can never be sure. They are probably made the company that bought Koehlert, but then again, they could be Chinese phonies. You decide - here is an email I recieved when inquiring about them (about the one on ebay, i have seen more).

"Hello,
Yes the old Kohlerts have been out of business. I buy these from a company that I am a distributor for and they own the Kohlert Company which makes then in Romania. I have been impressed with the quality and I have a good many in the past 6 months. Hope this info helps.
Regards,
Ed
P.S. I never liked the old Kohlert horns. I believe the were made by the Chech. Republic years ago. "





If you wish to contact him, his email is

MrStregs@aol.com

I`m not too sure about the veracity of this guy`s info, Kevin. Yes, the Kohlerts were originally made in Czeckoslovakia, and were a well-respected company that made good quality horns. They got split up after WWII and all their workers were moved to Germany, where due to several bad business decisions, the production suffered and the company finally went broke. Moosman subsequently bought the technology and the company and has continued making bassoons with the original good quality and design which made Kohlert famous in the beginning.

Pre-War Kohlerts are famous for their quality and sound, but since these are now so old, very few remain in good condition. Moosman of course is a renowned bassoon. I know of no one who is now trading under the Kohlert name. Perhaps someone else has more up to date information?

Regarding "old Kohlerts": In the early 1900`s Kohlert was highly regarded, probably second to Heckel. The reputation declined in later years. Moosmann bought the Kohlert factory, but not the "Kohlert" name, which is why you`re seeing them again. I thought they were from China, maybe they are made in Romania, but the only connection to the former Kohlert company is the name.

Do they actually still spell the name the same - Kohlert?

they spelt it Kohlert. Sorry about the misundersatnding due to my quick typing.