Wichita Band Instrument Company
Wichita, Kansas

Repairman’s Special, USED bassoon “Kreull-Moosmann”, made by Bernd Mooseman  in the late seventies (?).

This one’s also a “sleeping beauty” that  needs a full overhaul and rebuild.   Structurally sound, but the mechanism shows minor (not substantial) wear.  And it needs all new pads and corks.

But if your workshop has the time and man-power to perform the work, it could be….would be… a fine bassoon.

By the sections:

Bell section:

Bell ring looks original, but is not.  No cracks to the ring.  Stamped “Kreul / Moosmann / Tuebingen” and “Mirafone”. Bb pad-cup and socket ring are nickel-plated, should be stripped and re-plated.  NOTE PLEASE:  varnish finish is red-brown and in reasonably good condition.  But there’s a crack to the wood approx 140 mm long that’s been poorly repaired.  We recommend all varnish be removed, the crack cleaned and properly glued, then all new varnish (lacquer, if you prefer) applied.  No cracks to the socket.

Long joint: No name-stamp, no serial number.  Both tenons are capped with brass, no cracks to the tenons nor to the body. Keywork has original nickel-plate that should be stripped and replated.  Numerous scratches, but the wood is actually in good condition. Touch-up the varnish perhaps, but we’d recommend the finish be removed, the wood sanded very lightly and new finish applied.  Normal rollers to the C# and D#.

Boot joint: Ebonite water tubes to B and A finger-holes.  Both sockets are brass lined.  No damage to the wood and the original dark varnish is actually in goodel condition, worn maybe 5 %.  Keywork is nickel-plate, should be stripped and new nickel applied. End cap shows normal dents.  Rollers on the F and Ab.  U-tube is also dented.  No name or serial number. We see no evidence of wood-rot, no damage to either side of the bore.

Wing joint:  No high D, no high E.  Tenon wears nickel cap.  Three finger-holes are ebonite.  Top cap and keys are all nickel-plated, should be stripped and re-plated.  C# key has been broken and poorly repaired…easy to remove the ugly repair and braze it back properly.  Varnis is worn maybe 5%, no wood damage, no cracks. “Kreul & Moosmann / Tuebingen” stamp. 

No bocals, solid case, but not beautiful.

WE RECOMMEND....  Send it to Bernd Moosmann in Waldkraiberg, have him to a full and complete re-build. It would cost a bit to do it, but at the end of the day you'd have a fine pro-quality German instrument.

 

 *** Questions?  Write me!  I love getting emails from interesting people!  GR

NOTE NOTE NOTE.....

COMING SOON, A VINTAGE PRO-QUALITY WENZEL SCHREIBER MODEL S-58 THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN PLAYED.  NOW IN THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE WE'RE REPLACING ALL THE ORIGINAL PADS.  100% ORIGINAL VARNISH, NOT A SCRATCH ON IT. EVEN THE ORIGINAL CASE IS PERFECT!  SEE OUR EBAY POSTING SOON!

 

NO BOCALS.

LOW LOW STARTING PRICE.   But please, if you would, don’t ask us to do the restoration work.  We have only a small shop (five persons) and we have enough repairs now in the shop to keep us busy until the cows come home!

 Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA.  The owners are Kansas natives Gary L. Ray and his two sons. 

Founded by a woodwind repair technician in 1953, we soon will commence our seventy-fourth year in business.

We're not a "back bedroom" operation but can report that we are the owners of a proper "brick and mortar" workshop.

We enjoy a sterling reputation for ethical business transactions and confirm to our friends and clients the simple fact that we expect to be in business forever.