Fox has the reputation of figuring out how to make bassoons with great intonation. But does the vintage of the instrument matter? If a model II from 2010 has excellent intonation, does one from 2000, or one from 1980, or one from 1960? And even if a bassoon started out with great intonation, might that change as the wood ages? In short, should a buyer consider an older instrument based on Fox's current reputation? Thanks.

Fox bassoons have been improved over the years & the quality of materials & build are excellent. From my experience anything from the last 25 years should be fine. This of course depends on how it has been treated since it left the factory!

contra448, thanks for your very useful reply. My subject referred to the Fox model II because I had recently seen some "experienced" model II's offered for sale at prices far below the cost of a new one. My interest extends generally to Foxes, and your reply does too.

Now here is an open-ended question for anyone with the time and inclination to reply. I am retired on a fixed income and playing in a community band, which has about 8 concerts a year, of which about half are outdoors. I am using a Selmer 132 that I bought new many years ago, when I was laboring under the misapprehension that the Selmer reputation for "super-excellence" applied to all instruments sold under their brand. I might be able to upgrade, and here are some of the things that I am thinking. In view of our outdoor schedule I am leaning toward plastic. Some people who have posted on this and other forums would not consider any American brand other than Fox. I recently read that American armed services bands play Fox model IV's for their outdoor concerts (which I take as a testament to their quality). New Fox bassoons are expensive, even the plastic ones.

As you can see, I am in a far different boat from a music student that is looking for an appropriate instrument. I'm looking for something that is good enough for hobby use.

Would anyone care to share any information/opinions/prejudices about the following: wood versus plastic; Fox versus another brand; one model versus another; new versus old in terms of price vis-a-vis acceptable quality; how old?

Thanks a lot.

The Fox plastic basoons, unlike most plastic instruments, are finished with the same care as the wooden ones in the equivalent ranges. A used VI, or better a III, sounds like an excellent choice for you provided it is'nt too old & been unduely absued. The intonation, sound & buils quality are much much better than the Selmer USA ones. If you can source one & fit it with a pro u-tube & the new R type bocals the results will be even better.
Ove the years I have sat next to two players, one professionally trained with a III or VI, the other with a battered 41, & you would never know from the sound they were plastic.
Good luck.

Thanks a lot. I feel like a much better educated consumer now.