Bassoon (Eight Keys)
Catalogue number: 5.1
Original name: Bassoon.
Type or system: Eight keys.
Maker: William Milhouse, London, c.1805-1808.
Overall size: 1235mm
Bore: Wing joint: crook receiver 14.3mm - 15.5mm av.; boot joint: 17.2mm - 24.8mm; main joint: 24mm - 31mm; bell: 30.6mm - 39.5mm.
Technical description: Four sections of stained boxwood. Bell: 350mm; long joint: 571mm; wing joint: 534mm; boot: 433mm and two crooks, one being the shortened original. Eight brass keys, string tenons, and probably stained boxwood. Keyhead / mounts. Swallowtail touch flap on F key.
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Key work and finger holes. | |
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Left hand thumb: |
T, B flat, harm 1, harm 2, D, E flat. |
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Left hand, first finger: |
T. |
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Left hand, second finger: |
T. |
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Left hand, third finger: |
T. |
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Right hand, thumb: |
T, F sharp. |
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Right hand, first finger: |
T. |
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Right hand, second finger: |
T. |
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Right hand, third finger: |
T. |
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Right hand, fourth finger: |
F, A flat. |
Inscription: Stamped on tenor and boot: “W. MILHOUSE / LONDON”; stamped on bell and long joints: “W. MILHOUSE / LONDON / 337 OXFORD / STREET”; Stamped under E flat key: “WM”.
Playing accessories: Two crooks, possibly original.
Faults: Cracks: all repaired - top until half-way on bell; at some point the wood by the finger-holes on the tenor joint broke off. It has been repaired securely. Other: It is in very good condition, and is very playable. The original crook, not only being shortened, also has no flee-hole.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 430 Hz.
Illustration references: See below.
Previous owner: R. S. Birch. Presented to Birmingham School of Music, 1949.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 112.
Gallery of Images
