I'm thinking about purchasing this Linton Bassoon but before I do, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this brand and if it's any good. I find that it's rather really affordable for a bassoon even if it is second hand. If it's not a good brand, can you recommend some makes for me?

Thanks for all your answers. I appreciate it.

Hello! Linton is literally one of the worst makers of Bassoons. My personal experiences with Linton instruments have never been positive - most other Bassoonists will agree with me on this. A bad instrument is very discouraging, so I hope you do not purchase this Linton.

On the note of alternate brands, I should first mention that you should not expect to pay under at least $2000 for a "decent" bassoon. I'm studying bassoon in university, and I just paid $16000 for my instrument. Bouncing around on topics, I would not recommend you buy an instrument on Ebay - not having a lot of experience in the instrument, it is hard to know what kind of instrument you'd like to pursue, what you should look for in the instrument, trial policies, etc.. If I were you, I would contact a local professional bassoonist (even if you have to drive) who can help you get started, and especially find an instrument. Look in local symphonies and that sort of thing. Some brands of Bassoons that I recommend for people starting are Moosmann and Fox Renard. You will find these instruments are fairly expensive - you get what you pay for! I would also keep away from plastic instruments, as you will find they never produce as nice a tone as a good wooden instrument. Also stay away from older wood instruments, as they are often subject to rot and warping. I understand there are other bassoons that I could recommend, but often these instruments are hit and miss (such as Moennig and Schreiber).

Hope this guide is helpful - Bassoon is an expensive finicky world!

No!!! Not LINTON!!!! Sorry but made in china and should stay in china. These are absolutely terrible. I actually wouldn't steer you away from plastic though. Linton plastic literally feels like PVC pipe, but Fox's "plastic" Polypropylene bassoons are quite different.
The Fox IV is a very solid instrument that I've had good experience with. It's not over priced and can produce quite a good tone. Although it won't suffice for a serious player, it will do the job, and a good one at that. You can probably find a used Fox IV that is in decent condition, although I could be wrong. *Fox III are great too although more expensive
If you want a wooden bassoon and don't want to get a professional one, I would recommend a Fox Renard 222 or 220. Both are quite solid and should last at least through college.
Hope that helps : )

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By the way here's a link to their website http://www.foxproducts.com/pages/bsn_main.asp

Linton is made in America. Still crap though

Personally, I dislike the Fox tone.

I agree with MercifulMe about Lintons (I've even seen them advertised on e-bay as professional instruments - what a joke!) - however if desperate I'd marginally prefer one of them to any Chinese made Instrument Shaped Object that I've ever tried. To be fair to Linton I haven't seen a modern one - I have only worked on specimens at least 20 years old that have been kicked around schools - there doesn't seem to be a market for them in UK these days.

Also AK42's comment about the Fox polypropylene bassoons is good.

Some people say that that Fox make the Lintons but I have heard someone high up in Fox state that they have never made instruments for other companies.

Ayco, forget what these elitist non-musicians are saying. They are rich and clueless.
To answer your question, I would stay away from ANY bassoon under $400., even if it's a Heckel.
If you are just starting out, then Linton is not a bad bassoon to start with, only if you can find one in good shape. Never buy an instrument that was ever property of a school/college.

FYI, a safe starting point (financially) for bassoon is between $700-$1200. (used) give or take. I've played Fox's that sound like butt (fully plastic ones like the Renard 41). I have a 1958 Linton 5K that I had set up and it plays/sounds pretty good. The wing (tenor) joint is wood, the rest is Polypropylene like the Fox Renard 41.

Again, this advice is if you're a beginner, starting out and aren't sure bassoon is for you.
Cheers! and good luck!
marty

Thanks everyone for your answers. I wasn't able to nab the under 400$ one but I managed to purchase one for 550$ which I think is still really good. It's a 6K Linton in good shape. I found that it sounded really nice for the price and it was fairly easy to play. It does feel cheap and fragile but the sound was very warm and had the all the strong characteristics as a bassoon.

Thanks again for all your replies!

I get fed up hearing these throw away lines - "Lintons are no good" - absolute nonsense!
Most people who make these statements have tried a Linton which had suffered twenty years abuse and bashing in a school. I have repaired dozens of bassoons and there have been plenty of examples of the world's best makes that were poor out of the box. I have an all plastic Linton right here now, not only does it come out very well top to bottom with an electronic tuner, it is better than three German and one USA model I have in at the moment, one of which retails over £7,000. This particular Linton model has high D and full thumb rollers and right hand whisper lock as well as unusual trill interlocks for the right hand. The keys are wonderfully strong and have a tough (I think chrome finish!). Only disadvantage I can see over the £7000 bassoon is that the plastic is heavier. Jack Linton was a prime mover in improving the Americam bassoon. If you want to comment on a bassoon make sure it has been set up by a proper repairer - not a general purpose music shop that sells MIDI keyboards. The standard and most common Linton bassoon is the very basic Heckel system with no high D, well set up they make a first rate starting instrument.

I just have to say, people who say that Linton is comparable to most bassoons seriously aren't dedicated bassoonists. I study with one of North America's leading bassoonists, and if any of you would like to argue on the subject I can transfer you to them. I didn't pay a crap-tonne of money just because I decided I needed lighter pockets. I bought my instrument because it's a wonderful sounding instrument that has better intonation than any bassoon I've played (and for the record, anyone who says they have spot on intonation on any wind instrument other than trombone is a LIAR). It's an instrument I can play until i achieve a professional job, which is something no Linton would EVER do (nevermind most Foxes).

Subjects like this usually end up as bassoon-bashing arguments, as this has done, with people brandishing their reed knives all over the place and usually causing more angst than anything else. We all tend to believe the instrument we have invested in is the one to recommend, but bassoons do vary - everyone who has much experience on the bassoon should admit that. The proper answer to a question like this should be that any vendor should allow you time to have the instrument looked at by a qualified repairman. Sometimes a purchaser is willing to take a chance on a cheap instrument and he certainly knows what he is getting if he has done his research. Lintons are not made in China, they are made in Elkhart, Indiana, and I have seen some that play very well.