Which bassoons offer a good balance between price and performance for intermediate players?
This page compares 9 bassoons with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Fox Model IV Polypropylene Bassoon, John Packer JP291 Full Size Bassoon, Selmer Model 1432B Intermediate Bassoon. Prices range from £1,587 to £7,250. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Brand ⇅ | Model ⇅ | Keys ⇅ | Length (in) ⇅ | Bell Size (in) ⇅ | Material ⇅ | Included Accessories ⇅ |
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Fox Model IV Polypropylene Bassoon
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£7249.59 ≈ | Fox | Model IV | Full German key system with silver plating, high D key, rollers for right little finger F and A♭, rollers for left little finger E♭ and D♭ | — | — | Molded hand-finished polypropylene body | Premium case with shoulder and backpack straps, two professional T bocals, hand rest, neck strap, seat strap, microfiber swabs, care cloth |
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The Fox Model IV is a durable polypropylene bassoon with a full German key system, silver-plated keywork, and a high D key. Its robust construction and professional accessories suit advanced students, university programs, military bands, and performers needing a reliable second instrument. ★ Ideal forIt offers intermediate players a strong price-performance balance through its durable polypropylene body, full German key system, high D key, and included professional T bocals.
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John Packer JP291 Full Size Bassoon
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£1587.23 ≈ | John Packer | JP291 | C with high D, Eb and E keys | — | — | ABS | Crook, reed, hard case, case cover, pull-through, polishing cloth, cork grease, backpack straps, neck strap |
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The JP291 is a full-size student bassoon with a lightweight high-grade ABS body, silver-plated full keywork, and an extended range including high D, Eb, and E keys. It is designed for advanced students, schools, music services, and training orchestras, and includes a hard case and essential care accessories. ★ Ideal forThe JP291 offers intermediate players a strong price-performance balance through its durable ABS body, silver-plated full keywork, extended high D, Eb, and E range, and comprehensive accessory package. |
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Selmer Model 1432B Intermediate Bassoon
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£2949.30 ≈ | Selmer | 1432B | Heckel system with high C, F# trill, large ring A, C#-D# trills, and rollers for C#-D# and F-Ab | — | — | Resonite | Two bocals and wood shell case |
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The Selmer 1432B uses a durable Resonite body with a Heckel key system, high C key, trill keys, rollers, and kid leather pads. Its weather-resistant construction and included two bocals and wood shell case make it suitable for beginning and intermediate players in school or band programs. ★ Ideal forIt offers a practical price-performance balance for intermediate players through its durable Resonite body, Heckel key system with high C and roller keys, and included two bocals and wood shell case.
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Jupiter 363 Student Bassoon
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£3880.22 ≈ | Jupiter | 363 Student Bassoon | 22 keys, full German system | — | — | ABS resin body, nickel-plated nickel silver keys | Wood shell case, bocal, reed, care products |
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The Jupiter 363 Student Bassoon has a durable ABS resin body, warm consistent sound, and full German keywork with 22 keys and a high D key. It suits students and intermediate players who want advanced features without the maintenance demands of a wooden bassoon. ★ Ideal forIt offers a strong price-performance balance for intermediate players through its 22-key full German system, high D key, durable ABS resin body, and included wood shell case.
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Fox Renard Model 51 Bassoon
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£5511.02 ≈ | Fox Renard | Model 51 Bassoon | Silver-plated short-reach key configuration | — | — | Molded polypropylene | Premium case, two C bocals, bassoon reed, neck strap, seat strap, swabs, care cloth |
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The Fox Renard Model 51 is a durable polypropylene bassoon with silver-plated keys and a short-reach configuration designed for smaller hands. It includes two C bocals and practical accessories, making it best suited to beginning students, school programs, and budget-conscious institutions. ★ Ideal forIt offers a strong price-performance balance through its durable molded polypropylene body, silver-plated short-reach keywork, and included two C bocals and accessories, although its design is aimed primarily at beginning and middle-school players rather than advanced intermediate musicians.
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Selmer Model 132 Intermediate Bassoon
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£5573.03 ≈ | Selmer | 132 | Heckel system with high D key | — | — | Hard maple body | Two bocals and wood shell case |
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The Selmer Model 132 is an advanced-level bassoon with a hard maple body, Heckel key system, high D key, rollers, trill keys, and kid leather pads. It suits developing bassoonists who need durable construction and expanded features for high school, wind band, and orchestral playing. ★ Ideal forThis bassoon offers a strong price-performance balance for intermediate players through its hard maple body, Heckel system, high D key, two bocals, and wood shell case.
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Schreiber Schreiber Model S31 Master Bassoon
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£7043.50 ≈ | Schreiber | Schreiber Model S31 Master Bassoon | 25 keys | — | — | Alpine maple | deluxe nylon-covered wood shell case and 2 bocals (KE 1, 2) |
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The Schreiber Model S31 Master Bassoon is a 25-key German-system bassoon made from Alpine maple. It's built with silver-plated keywork and comes with a deluxe nylon-covered wood shell case plus 2 silver-plated bocals (KE 1 and 2). It's designed for advancing players looking for a more professional feel than entry-level models. ★ Ideal forWith its Alpine maple construction and 25 silver-plated German-system keys (including high D and E keywork), the S31 Master Bassoon is a strong intermediate step-up that delivers more complete key coverage without going to higher-tier Schreiber models.
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Fox Renard Model 51 Student Bassoon
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£5511.02 ≈ | Fox Products | Renard Model 51 Student Bassoon | Short-reach keywork | — | — | Molded polypropylene | Two C bocals, bassoon case, bassoon reed, hand rest, neck strap, seat strap, care cloth, wing joint swab, boot joint swab |
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The Fox Renard Model 51 is a durable polypropylene student bassoon with short-reach keywork designed for players with smaller hands. It includes two C bocals and essential playing and maintenance accessories, making it suitable for beginning students, school ensembles, and budget-conscious institutions. ★ Ideal forIt offers a practical price-to-performance balance for intermediate players through its durable polypropylene body, short-reach keywork, silver-plated keys, and included two C bocals and maintenance accessories.
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Schreiber Model S16 Intermediate Bassoon
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£5592.23 ≈ | Schreiber | Model S16 Intermediate Bassoon | 25 keys including high D key | — | — | Alpine maple wood | Two silver-plated handmade bocals, case with pocket and cover, neck strap, maintenance accessories |
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The Schreiber S16 is a German-made intermediate bassoon with 25 keys, high D key, silver-plated keywork, four rollers, a whisper-key lock, and an aged alpine maple body. It suits intermediate students and amateur players seeking a durable instrument with strong intonation and professional-style features. ★ Ideal forIt offers a strong price-performance balance for intermediate players through its 25-key conservatory-style layout, aged alpine maple body, silver-plated keywork, four rollers, and included bocals and accessories.
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