Well, I thought I should give a little intro. Well, it turns out my band directors won't help me at all have sucess in the bassoon(I'm so happy) So, I'm buying my own. My mom said that she will help finance it, so we can get a semi pro model. I'm looking mostly at Fox, because they seem to be affordable within the Renard series.
Currently I'm Considering;
The Fox Renard 222
The Fox Renard 240
And The Fox Renard 220 If I Can Find Out More About Long Bored Instruments
I'm also considering other brands like Moosmann, Schreiber, and surprisingly enough Kroner.

If you guys have any advice, please tell me. I'm looking for an instrument that I can take with me to University, so if you guys could give me some advice I woudl be very grateful, but remember that I don't have alot of money. The most is 7000 U.S.

Hi,

I just got my Renard 240 last month. It's great!

From the experience from my teacher, the fox bassoon is very stable and realiable. The sound of renard very good also.

I didn't try the 220. But from the comment from my teacher. 220 is good for playing in the band. And 240 can give more projection sound. It's better for the soloist.

If you have 7000 US, I thought you can go with a 220 or 240 but not 222. 222 is for small hand and it has less key.

For Schreiber, I've tried a 5071 and 5016 recently. The 5016 has a warm sound and low resistant. It's a good bassoon. It cost about 6000 USD from the dealer at my side. For the 5071, it is not very good but it should be an exceptional case (sound quality is not that good for that price range).

Finally, I got a Fox.

Also, I was wondering how is the french bell? I hear they have a more warm tone.Does it affect anything?

I thought french bell is just a gimmick.

Okay

I thought that French and German bells didn't affect the sound. They just give you an option of which one you want on your bassoon. Some people like metal bell rings and some don't...

Moosmann 100a. Beats all 3 models easily. $6750 US

Fox is a very stable and respected brand. It's what I went with when my parents agreed to purchase a bassoon for me. I had a smaller budget than you but I was able to buy the model 220. I love it greatly! It should take me well into collage if not through it (if that's what I decide to do with my life, so many choices!).

No mention of a very important bassoon buying necessity is on here so, I'll throw it out. Never ever buy a bassoon without a trial period! When spending thousands and thousands of dollars you will want to get the instrument you want, not the fist one that jumps out at you. During the trial period be sure that your teacher can look over the instrument and play it. Their experience is valuable as they can find many problems that are not otherwise apparent.

Good luck, and good bassooning!

Fox are good horns,very well made.
You mentioned French bell, it's actually a German bell with a metal ring instead of plastic.So it makes no difference to sound.A French bell is something alot different.

I've said it before, i'm sure, somewhere in another topic, but i'll say it again anyway...

Try out EVERY bassoon before you buy it, and buy it based on how well it suits you, NOT on what the make it!

My teacher is one of the best here, he's 1st bassoon in the Manchester Camerata, and he plays on a student model (though I can't remember the make) and he wouldn't trade it for anything! At the same time, he's tried heckels (which are supposed to be very good) that sound aboslutely disgusting.

EVERY instruemnt is individual, so you cannot buy an instrument based on the reputation, it's only a vague guideline, at most!

Every instrument is different indeed

My crappy bassoon works ok for me, BUT

I'd trade it for my teacher's fox ANY day.
The intonation is just easier, don't have to use some alternate fingerings to fix some bad tuning on some notes, and the keywork just FEELS solid, exact and easy.

I will probably eventually end up getting a better horn, I just want to find out how far I can go on my horn and how much it depends on my (lack) of ability and how much it depends on the horn.

It's quite an eye (ear ?) opener to try another bassoon than the one you normally use.
So in a way I agree, try out bassoons and try for yourself. That said, I've got quite some respect for fox, they make some damn fine horns.

Cheers
James

I agree with the two people above me. Get on ethat really fits you, like a have a bassoon that's made by Bundy (i think), the clarinet company and works great for me, while my teacher has a heckel that works well for him, so yeah i agree with those other two people.

Fox Renards are pretty good. I have a 41 and it works pretty well, albeit its had a little pad work done on it. I got it and it had been out of use by about ten years and it works spectacularly.

Foxes are very good and extremely reliable. Heard good things about Moosmanns as well.
Never rent a bassoon.
You might want to check Takeda. While I haven't heard much about them, they are extremely affordable (2000 USD!!!!) which is a definite plus.

Whatever you get, good luck and have fun. The best instrument in the world (second to Contrabassoons )