13-09-2019 Believe it or not, this bassoon is after seven years still for sale!

Interesting vintage German bassoon from the workshop of Reinhold Lange made in Wiesbaden about 1920.
The “New Langwill Index” of William Waterhouse has a few paragraphs on the maker:
“Lange, Reinhold (1854 – 1905). Bassoonist in Wiesbaden Hoftheater; 1889 esstablished in partnership with Hermann Ficker, being given technical help in bassoon-making by W. Heckel’s foreman Stritter; 1892 advertising improved bassoon; 1905 Ficker successor…approx. 1929, Ficker, Junior, successor…”

Guenter Dullat’s excellent “Verzichnis der Holz-und Mettalblasinstrumentenmacher auf Deutschspracheigem Gebiet” has more information on the firm:

Freely translated…
“Bassoonist and woodwind instrument maker born Nov. 8, 1854, died March 03, 1905 in Wiesbaden…From 1881 until 1895 Lange was engaged at the royal court theater in Wiesbaden as musician in the chamber orchestra. Lange was from 1887 employed by Heckel as tuner (Ausstimmer) and maker of bassoon reeds (Hersteller von Fagottrohren). In 1889 he applied for a patent for his design of a unique key-operated device (Verbindung der einzelnen Teile von Holz-Blasinstrumenten dur konische Metallschlluesse)…”
Which apparently led to some sort of dispute between Heckel and Lange where the former came to consider him a competitor.

(“…war in den Augen Heckels zu einer Art Konkurranz geworden..”).

further…

“…Lange had, in this time, developed his own bassoon model which was made in his own workshop…”

“…About 1900-1901 Friedrich Stritter, previously a worker at Heckel” was employed by Lange…”

Hermann Ficker (1862 – 1945), employed by Lange from about 1890, was the successor to the company after Lange’s demise in 1905. He continued to use the Lange name on bassoons produced by him. Apparently Ficker’s son and widow continued the workshop until 1945, finally closing up everything in 1949.

This particular instrument has been played by me professionally for 20 years. Reason for selling it is that I have ended my profession as a bassoonist. It’s a waste to have it here standing still in the corner. It should be played on…..

Here’s a description of the instrument, piece by piece:

Bell wears 100% original dark red varnish, engraved “R. LANGE / WIESBADEN”, no cracks or damage to the wood. Nickel-silver key and socket band, no cracks or damage to the socket.

Long joint wears 100% original dark red spirit varnish. Normal key work with no rollers, though.

Wing joint also has very good original dark red varnish, a bit worn around the finger-holes. The bassoon wears original high D. Bore is hard-rubber lined, of course, and the tenon wears an original nickel-silver cap.

Boot has also very good varnish, worn a bit around the tone-holes. No ring key for right hand, does have front and back Bb, though. Note the G key originally “wrap around”, similar to circa 1900 Heckel instruments has been changed. Small socket is nickel-silver lined, large socket is not. Wood is in pristine condition, with no wood rot anywhere. The joint also stamped “R. LANGE / WIESBADEN”. Serial number 2030 stamped under the boot cap.

One original bocal comes with the instrument, stamped “01 / R. LANGE / WIESBADEN”, and one Heckel bocal.

This bassoon is, in my estimation, a superb vintage instrument that I do not recommend for everybody. For those wanting the tone-color of a circa 1920 – 1930 German instrument, a bassoon that’s similar to a pre-WW I Heckel and one that’s in a very good condition and very well suitable for any type of music (orchestra, chamber, solo), this fine bassoon is recommended. For more information or photo’s feel free to contact me.