HOLY COW! Look at this beast (follow the link).

http://www.guntramwolf.de/instruments/modern/basebassoonforte/index_basebassoonforte_mod_e.htm

Does anyone know anything about contrafortes?
thanks

I think I just piS*Sed my pants. AHHH think of the air support

I haven`t played one, but I know someone who owns one, and the US distributor (Arthur Grossman, in Seattle). They have a wonderful, powerful timbre, and improved fingering. You can also see them on Benedikt Eppelsheim`s website (www.eppesheim.com).

They don`t take any more air than a bass sax, or contrabass sarrusophone...

Enjoy

You guys might note believe this.. BUUUUUT someone that rented a contraforte bassoon actually went to my school (she actually couldnt afford it).. and had a double reed master class with us.. but since i dont play the bassoon i didnt get to play it.. my friend on the other hand who plays bassoon got the chance to actually PLAY the contraforte.. and im told dat apparently it cost tons and tons and theres only a few in the world.. its quite amazing.. and its huge!

Jaspie

there is no such thing as a "contrforte" bassoon there is a however a contrabassoon. And there are a lot more in the world then you think. Moreover, they are expensive, an Amati (which i have heard great things about) sells for around $4800, foxs list at $20,000 but from forrest`s you could most likely get one for $15,000-17,0000. In addition heckel does make a contrabassoon, im not sure of the price seeing the price for a regular bassoon probly $80,000-100,000. I hope this help

In addition, that is just that manifactiers name but it is a contrabassoon with an low a extention.

Uhm, sorry to say, but you`re wrong/misinformed. I guess you just didnt take the time to check out the link in the original post. But beyond that, I attended Interlochen this past summer and an instructor there owned a contraforte. The thing was a beast. It was amazing sounding though, he played a solo concerto as well as in a quartet. He said it was much more comfortable to play compared to a normal contra, and achieving good dynamic contrast was much easier.

the contrabassoon and "contraforte" are pitched the same,(one octave below the bassoon). Thus making the contraforte basicly the same as the contrabassoon. However the contraforte is more ergamonical to play then the contrabassoon, due to the redesigned keywork and playing angle/position. So they are almost the same instrument in terms of pitch.

Pitch isnt everything

Wow these are more common than i thought! At least they run at 34000$ CAN, which is less than a heckle contrabassoon.