Heckel vs. Moosmann - 14 days with Heckel

[@Methos80]

I'd be really interested to see how both of these sound in a live hall, and in a larger ensemble. When I closed my eyes and went back it really depends on the excerpt as to which one I preferred the sound of. The Heckel seems like it has a little more clarity/front end on the articulation and at least on the recording seems to have more upper overtones/partials in the lower register. The Moosmann 150, at least to me, had a more consistent quality of sound and intonation for me across registers (but it has also been your primary instrument for a bit so hard to know if that is the instrument or familiarity). But, I could hear potential for a little more sparkle in the tenor register, for lack of better term, in the Heckel. That's why I'd be curious to see how they play in a hall, and in a larger ensemble. I think in a room or by itself the Moosmann might carry more, but I suspect the Heckel might play differently - maybe easier - in a group using timbre to cut through. Hard to guess the series without knowing reed and bocal, but if I had to guess it would maybe be a late 8 or a 9 (I could be way off though). Anyway, I wonder which instrument feels better to you to play on. For what it's worth, I play a Moosmann M200CL - tried a 150E when I was buying mine and liked it, but testing with others showed I sounded better on the M200.

[@christiansharpe5420]

The Heckel sounds like my 9, which is to say that it has a homogenous and free sound through the registers which makes it very rewarding to play. But it doesn’t sound better or worse than the Moosman, just different. I’m sure they project similarly in an orchestral setting. I have one caveat though (consistent with your previous instrument comparisons) and that is that you use different bocals on each instrument. I accept the concept that each instrument might have an “ideal” match, but I have always found that the bocal is more important than the instrument, at least when comparing instruments objectively, and governs response and intonation issues more than the reed even. That said, when i had the opportunity to acquire my current (and final) instrument from my teacher, the bocal that came with it was clearly suited to it more than my own. BUT my own bocal allowed me to assess the relative strengths of each instrument in what seemed to be an objective manner. Which is only to say: you sound great on each instrument you have tried, and thank you for doing so on KZbin, it has been informative and enlightening to hear what great alternatives we have today and that a Heckel is no longer the only instrument that can be played professionally. Thank you!

[@bassoonwithaview]

Trialing bassoons requires one to manage so many variables. The bocal is a HUGE variable for all the reasons you stated. One of my goals with these videos is to demonstrate and de-bunk some of the ideas around value statements "better or worse" and instead show that sounds are different and can be achieved by great and small changes.

[@owenrq]

this is more so for my own exploration of difference between various instruments as a highschool bassoonist, but imo the sound of the moosmann was fuller (significantly??? i would say i guess idk) than that of the heckel. though i agree that the articulation was slightly clearer on the heckel, i think that is primarily due to the fact that it isn’t as full in comparison to the moosmann? (not sure) i’m thinking that same quality could be achieved with a different bocal on the moosmann perhaps, but that overall the moosmann has the potential to outperform the heckel at least in my scope of ideal sound. also, not sure whether the clips are in exact order but it seems to me (could be coincidence) that each time you play the heckel after playing the moosmann the overall sound quality is better than when you play the heckel after previously playing a different excerpt on the heckel. but what do i know lol i would love to hear your own thoughts on the two instruments and difference in playing! This is really me typing out my thoughts as an ?educational? experience lmao but anyway beautiful playing!

[@bassoonwithaview]

Thanks for your thoughtful input. This is a great example of how subjective the process to select a bassoon is for each player and their goals. In the years I have made these videos and in my own search for the perfect bassoon I have found so often that it's rarely about one bassoon being better but rather simply that they are very different and I have to assess what I want.

[@javip5060]

Heckel wins. For me Heckel's tone is purer and more interesting and projects a little better. The Moosmann's sound seems a little muffled and the staccato is less clean in some notes.

[@bassoonwithaview]

Ah! For the sake of lively conversation, you must share WHY you feel this way. ;-)

[@ohmreeds]

When you played Tchaikovsky 6, you sound exactly like my teacher. The focus, darkness, control, and tastefully vibrato; a sheer joy to listen to! To compare these two bassoons, I find that Moosmann sound a bit muffled. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that usually happen with thicker wall bassoons with a smaller bore?

[@JD-zh6qe]

What do you think about Mollenhauer Bassoons? Are they thiner in sound?

[@bassoonwithaview]

Sadly, I have never had the opportunity to play on a Mollenhauer. Also, I'm not aware of anyone I know who plays on one. Certainly the contras are played quite often in the US. I would be curious to try!

[@JD-zh6qe]

@@bassoonwithaview Thanks!

[@matthewboice5368]

I think that the Moosmann sounds a little more flexible. I think the Heckle has a little bit more immediate response. The 150 is by far the best Moosmann model, and I think these instruments head to head don't seem to have a clear winner in my opinion. This is just proof that bassoon makers can match Heckel and have been.

[@ansmaertens105]

Moosmann 150 is not their best lol, they have way better bassoons, I had to choose between 150 and 200 and chose the 200 it was pretty similar at that time but I did prefer the 200 it was just fuller and more homogenous. Then we aren't talking about the above 200 models