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#3037
Date: 01/07/1879
Shipped to: Belgium
The oldest serialized Heckel bassoon documented in our database, as of present. Left hand keywork adjusted to resemble modern configuration, with added high D key.
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#3039
Date: 05/16/1879
Shipped to: Germany
Various keywork modifications and additions to allow for modernized playing. Visible is an added high-D key and C# trill, moved to its modern position above the right hand index finger.
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#3048
Date: 07/18/1879
Shipped to: United Kingdom
Owned by the Royal College of Music in South Kensington, London, UK.
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#3050
Date: 07/18/1879
Shipped to: United Kingdom
An extremely well preserved instrument with two factory built wing joints. The "alternate" wing joint (to the right of the long joint in-case) is an early experimental design from Wilhelm Heckel (1856-1909). The most notable features include an early whisper vent mechanism activated by the C5 key, and an alternate left thumb spatula which covers the left thumb C# key. Pressing this spatula opens both vents, allowing the player to more easily produce D#3 and D#4.
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#3073
Date: 01/30/1880
Shipped to: Belgium
Mostly original state besides a refinish and addition of a whisper key mechanism; extra left thumb key atop the C# key opens both vents and allows easier production of D#3 and D#4.
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#3141
Date: 02/28/1882
Shipped to: Unknown
In mostly original condition with visible bell stamping. Heavily tarnished plating.
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#3221
Date: 04/09/1884
Shipped to: Unknown
Restored and refinished. Notable bridge for LH thumb that seems to access the low C# tone hole.
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#3261
Date: 06/14/1885
Shipped to: United States
Formerly part of the Richard W. and Jeannine E. Abel Musical Instrument Collection. Sold in December, 2021. An extremely well preserved early instrument, no cracks or severe damage outside of light exterior wear.
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#3317
Date: 08/31/1886
Shipped to: Germany
Refinished in the late 80's. Well played with visible wear around the left hand tone holes.
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#3371
Date: 08/29/1887
Shipped to: United States
Formerly part of the Richard W. and Jeannine E. Abel Musical Instrument Collection. Sold in December, 2021. Palisander wood. Much repair work made throughout to fix a number of cracks. Original Ivory bell replaced with metal.
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#3386
Date: 11/30/1887
Shipped to: Unknown
A well preserved & restored instrument with modified period bocals. Modern-style options for LH3 vent, metal ring cap on the end of the long joint. Appears to still be paired with its original case.
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#3410
Date: 02/18/1888
Shipped to: Sweden
Spent the majority of its years preserved in Brazil. Currently located in the United States. All original keywork with an added whisper key mechanism and crutch bracket. Filled crack in bell.
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#3448
Date: 10/15/1888
Shipped to: Unknown
Notable faux-ivory style metal bell ring.
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#3470
Date: 02/23/1889
Shipped to: Belgium
Little information is known on this particular instrument. Unique whisper key mechanism, ornate low D guard, unusual C# trill placement.
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#3482
Date: 02/09/1889
Shipped to: Unknown
Made with Palisander wood. Extensively restored.
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#3517
Date: 07/06/1889
Shipped to: Netherlands
This Heckel is part of the former bassoon collection of Henk De Wit, Instruments & Art.
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#3562
Date: 03/04/1890
Shipped to: Germany
This 3000 series Heckel is on exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museums Online (MIMO).
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#3586
Date: 09/12/1890
Shipped to: Netherlands
Large patent stamp betwern RH 1 & 2. Modernized with added whisper key. Early example of a visible benchmark, marked 2
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#3620
Date: 04/30/1891
Shipped to: Unknown
Early prototype back thumb bridge for C# trill key. This is an early example of a design that would later return as a seldom used factory opinion.
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#3680
Date: 05/10/1892
Shipped to: Czech Republic
Bechmark 2. Unusually displaced C# trill mechanism that requires the extension of the right hand thumb.
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#3705
Date: 10/12/1892
Shipped to: Germany
A well preserved instrument with a hybrid design of updated keywork, adding rollers to LH and RH little fingers without moving posts. Lined tone holes, added whisper key.
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#3750
Date: 09/06/1893
Shipped to: United States
Removed RH crutch. Appears to be largely untouched.
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#3752
Date: 10/28/1893
Shipped to: Netherlands
This instrument is part of the former bassoon collection of Henk De Wit, Instruments & Art.
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#3844
Date: 08/01/1895
Shipped to: Czech Republic
Benchmark 4. Restored with original keywork. Period bocals.
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#3846
Date: 09/23/1895
Shipped to: Germany
Added whisper key, modern low-D guard, rollers on RH/LH4. Leg rest. Sold at the 2008 IDRS Conference at BYU. Formerly played in New Zealand.
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#3883
Date: 03/31/1896
Shipped to: Germany
Refinished in the early 20th century. Early rollers have been built into the existing key work out of mother of pearl, a white deposit advent of plastic. Original ivory bell ring. Keyword largely original, added body lock, crutch bracket and rotary RH w-key lock. Purchased and overhauled in 2021 by Katy Hopkins of Yahara River Woodwinds. U tube and small crack in tenon joint repaired by Robert Jordan.
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#3892
Date: 05/09/1896
Shipped to: Russia
Benchmark 3. Restored and modernized.
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#3902
Date: 07/18/1896
Shipped to: Jamaica
A beautifully well preserved bassoon that is in current need of restoration. The body and keywork are incredibly well preserved given this instrument's age and apparent lack of service. Vivid tiger striping for a late 3000 series of this vintage. No tenon damage.
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#3917
Date: 09/19/1896
Shipped to: United States
Benchmark 4. Accompanied by a letter from Heckel detailing its history from 1985. Lyre mechanism attached to wing joint crown.
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#3946
Date: 02/27/1897
Shipped to: Russia
This late 3000 series Heckel is on exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museums Online (MIMO).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How would I search for groups of serial numbers for browsing?
If you would like to browse a group of serial numbers, there are a few ways to go about doing so. Basic Search: Type the beginning of the group of numbers you want to see. For example, searching "6" will show you every single Heckel bassoon that has a serial number starting with 6, and typing "65" will show you all of the ones that have a serial number starting with a 65 in them. Advanced Search. You can use X to represent any digit in your search to show multiple serial numbers. For example, searching "6XXX" will show all Heckel bassoons that have a 4 digit serial number beginning with 6. You can also search "X5XX", which will show all 4 digit serial numbers with a 5 as the second number. This means "X5XXX" will show all 5 digit serial numbers with a 5 as the second number, rather than 4.
Does the Heckeldex have every Heckel Bassoon serial number?
Heckeldex uses serial number tables sourced from Edith Reiter's 'Wilhelm Heckel, Six Generations Dedicated to Music' and other factory logs to determine what bassoons made it into circulation, and which ones did not. Our records are only current through the early 16XXX's, so new instruments may require manual entry into the database.
Is there a way to filter out bassoons with no data on them?
Yes. Actually, bassoons with no data are filtered out by default, but you can switch the toggle at the top of the page that says "show all bassoons", and that will turn off the filter and show all data, even serial numbers with no known data
What kind of information will we publish on the Heckeldex?
The Heckeldex is an educational resource for bassoonists, hobbyists, and other interested viewers. Due to the value of each Heckel here, we will not under any circumstances publish any information regarding the sale history or location of any bassoon registered in the Heckeldex. This is to protect the privacy and safety of each bassoon and its owner. We will, however, list information surrounding bassoon performance and pedagogical history. This includes instruments that have been used in notable orchestras across the world, and instruments formerly owned by notable teachers and performers.
How safe is my Heckel bassoon on this website?
Our most frequently asked question is “Why do you often see Heckels listed for sale with serial numbers blocked out in ‘XXXX’ format?” (e.g. 6XXX, or 1213X). The destination of blurring out Heckel serial numbers is unknown, but it stems directly from online instrument sales in the late 90’s. Sellers on bassoon forums would post instruments for sale publicly while also including their home address, personal email, and other contact information. This was an era where not everyone had an email address, and some people still preferred to write physical letters with which to contact sellers. Unfortunately, a number of bassoons were stolen as a result of sellers giving away their personal information to strangers. Going forward, some forums required sellers to blur out their instruments' serial numbers to protect information which may have already been leaked.
Today, fortunately, publishing your personal instrument’s serial number is certifiably safe, and can not be traced to you in any capacity. As an extra precautionary measure, the Heckeldex still will not publish any information that suggests the current ownership or location of a particular instrument. Some consigners still prefer to list instruments simply as “-XXX” instruments to generate interest in bassoons of a particularly desirable serial number range.