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Bassoon Bocals

If you believe in the expression that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, then your bassoon bocal is definitely not a part to take lightly. It is, after all, the sole connection between your double reed and the body of the bassoon. All the breath you put into the instrument has to flow through this narrow tube, and it can be downright surprising to experience the difference between two bocals that may look almost identical to the naked eye. Fortunately, there are plenty of bassoon bocals here to choose from, so you'll have no trouble finding the perfect option to suit your instrument as well as your personal embouchure and preferences. The Fox bassoon bocals found in this section come in two main families, the standard editions and the higher-end "double-star" models. There's no right or wrong choice between them, but it does depend to some extent on the type of bassoon that you play. For beginner to intermediate instruments, the standard bocals are excellent choices. On the other hand, if your bassoon is a professional model or a vintage instrument, you may be better served with the double-star bocal. One of the favorite classes of Fox bocal is the CVX, performing well through the bassoon's entire range and known for its ease of response especially in the high register. Its double-star equivalent, the *CVX*, adds even better control through the upper and middle registers while being slightly more open in its tone. CVC models, by contrast, are designed to provide a fuller tone with excellent stability, and work especially well with thick-walled bassoons. A more modern addition to the Fox lineup is the *CTC* bassoon bocal, introduced in 2002 with thinner walls and greater flexibility than older designs. It's also a great choice for instruments with thick walls, as well as Heckel bassoons built after 1960. The basic concept of a bocal hasn't changed much over the years: a silver-plated nickel tube that carries the base sound from your double reed into the bassoon. From there, it will become the instrument's final tone by the time it reaches the other end. When you think about it, that simple explanation is the very reason why your bocal is so important. It's the part immediately after your reed, and in that position it has a big contribution to the overall sound of your instrument. So if you've been looking to completely reinvent your bassoon's tone, there's a good chance that a new bocal is the answer.