THE KRONER BASSOON
The musical quality of a bassoon is determined by many factors. Choice materials, coupled with pride of workmanship, are just two of the prime ingredients that reflect the care and concern of the maker. Each handcrafted bassoon is years in the making, from the time naturally aged and selected wood is received by the manufacturer, until a completed instrument is ready for shipment. Aging and curing of the wood, coupled with successive oil treatments, are vitally important to insure the wood's stability and to maintain consistency of critical bore and tone-hole dimensions. In addition, prolonged oil treatment minimizes porosity of the wood and reduces the probability of cracking. Each meticulous, time consuming step involved in processing the wood is essential to producing an instrument of the highest quality.
Once the wood's stability is assured, the bore must be precisely tapered and highly polished; tone-holes drilled and reamed to exacting measurements; keys carefully designed and mounted so as to efficiently interact, even the case is specially contoured and blocked to protect the instrument and its mechanism. Such ongoing attention to detail and care in manufacturing determines the basic quality of the instrument, however, Custom Music's quest for excellence extends beyond that of the maker.
When the Kroner bassoon arrives at Custom Music, it is processed through a highly rigorous and thorough servicing program, thereby insuring that it is delivered to the performer in optimum playing condition. All bassoons need such servicing, for it is often the difference between an excellent bassoon and one that will only perform at a minimal level. Custom Music is most fortunate in having the expert services of some of the world's finest bassoon technicians, including Mr. Richard Polonchak.
Among the steps carried out on our Kroner bassoons by Mr. Polonchak are the following:
1. All of the keys are removed from the instrument.
2. The bassoon body is meticulously examined to insure strict adherence to design and manufacturing specifications. And deviations are modified or corrected by our craftsmen before delivery.
3. The key action is regulated to insure correct feel and action. Corrections are made for proper spring tension, binding mechanisms, noise reduction, etc. After this the pad is properly seated.
4. After the pads are seated, the keys are again removed and the pad centers are coated with paraffin wax to assure maximum hermetic tightness.
5. The high A, high C and (where applicable) high D keys are fitted with cork pads for protection against water.
6. The threaded tenons are adjusted to facilitate easy assembly.
7. The wood-to-metal connection at the U-tube (boot joint) is sealed with melted paraffin wax.
8. Small etched lines are placed on the wing and boot joints to assure correct alignment of these sections. If not properly aligned, the whisper key remains open in the low register.
9. The instrument is matched with selected bocals.
10. To insure that the finely regulated bassoon retains its adjustment, each case is fitted to the individual instrument.
11. After servicing, as outlined above, the bassoon is then play-tested and its tuning is regulated.
The above servicing procedures assures the customer that the bassoon he receives will function to its maximum musical potential.
Full
Heckel system, 25 keys, (including F# trill Key, G ring key, C#
trill key, D# trill, High D key, and right thumb Ab key). Automatic
piano mechanism. Whisper key lock (right hand). Metal tubes
in third finger hole of Wing Joint, second finger hole of Boot,
and G Resonance Vent. Rollers from low Eb-Db (left little finger).
F-Ab (right little finger). Roller on Alternate F# Key. Lined
finger holes. Built of aged curly-mountain maple, oil-cured. Supplied
with three bocals, deluxe case, canvas case cover, swabs, joint
lock and reed case. Hand Crutch included in case or mounted free
on request.
Mark 450-B: Includes all of the above features, with the addition of the High E Key (G Trill Key).
Mark 450-C: Includes all of the features of the Mark 450 and the Mark 450-B with additional full roller treatment (6) for the right thumb keys: Bb-E, E-F#, F#-Ab.
A four (4) roller version of this model is also available.
/bassoon/350.GIF)
Full Heckel
system, 23 keys,including F# trill, G ring key, C# trill key,
E~ trill key,and right thumb A~ key, extra thumb touch for low
C. Automatic piano mechanism, whisper key lock mechanism (left
hand thumb), metal tube in 3rd finger hole of wing joint, and
2nd finger hole of boot joint. Finger holes are plastic lined.
Rollers from F to F# and F to A~ for right little finger. Rollers
from low C# to low D#. Complete with 2 selected bocals, deluxe,
plush-lined case, zippered case cover, swabs, joint lock, neck
strap, reed case and 1 professional type bassoon reed.
The Kroner "Mark 350" model bassoon is a superb instrument, both in sound and structure, and brings to the American musician those distinctive qualities and tonal colors desired most by top performers and music educators. The "Mark 330" model is built of selected well-seasoned curly mountain maple wood, stained reddish-brow n/chestnut, highly polished. Key mechanism is made of sturdy nickel-silver. The "Mark 350" is an exceptionally fine instrument for the college level bassoonist and advanced performer.
Mark 350-A: Same as model 350, but with addition of the high D key
Mark 350-B: Mark 350-A, but added A~-B~ trill key, low C#-D# connecting mechanism, rollers from low C to low D, rollers from thumb F# to A~, rollers from thumb F# to the low E key
/bassoon/220.GIF)
Full Heckel system, 24 keys, including F# trill key, G ring key, C# trill key, and right thumb Ab key, extra thumb touch for low C. Automatic piano mechanism, whisper key lock mechanism (left thumb), metal tube in 3rd finger hole of wing joint, and 2nd finger hole of the boot joint and in G vent hole of the boot. Finger holes are lined with plastic. Rollers from F to F# and F to Ab for right little finger. Rollers from low C to low D#. Complete with 2 selected bocals, deluxe, plush lined case, zippered case cover, swabs, joint lock, neck strap, reed case and 1 professional-type bassoon reed.
The Kroner "Mark 220" model bassoon is a fine handcrafted instrument, designed and built by outstanding European artisans. The "Mark 220" model is produced with great care and a very high standard of excellence. All instruments are made from aged curly mountain maple, stained reddish-brown and highly polished. Keys and mechanism are made of sturdy nickel-silver. The "Mark 220" is highly recommended as the ideal bassoon for the advanced high school through college level player.
Mark 220-A: Same as model 220, but with addition of the high D key
/bassoon/101.GIF)
Full Heckel system, 23 keys, including F# trill Key, G ring key, C# trill key, and right thumb Ab key. Automatic piano mechanism, whisper key lock (left thumb), saliva tubes for all finger holes. Rollers from F to F# and F to Ab for right little finger. Rollers from Bb to E and E to F# for right thumb. Rollers from low C# to low D#. Complete with 2 selected bocals, plush-lined case, swabs, joint lock, neck strap and 1 professional-type reed.
The Kroner "Mark 101" model bassoon is an instrument of exceptional quality designed and built to meet the exacting demands of a fine student instrument. The "Mark 101" is built from well-seasoned curly maple wood, stained reddish-brown and highly polished. All metal parts are made of nickel silver. This is fine instrument is recommended for the beginning bassoonist through high school level player.
Mark 101-A:Same as model 101, but with the addition of the high D key
/bassoon/CONTRA.GIF)