Original classical bassoon for sale made by Milhouse.
Stamped 'W Milhouse', with the workshop address of 337 Oxford Street, London.
William Milhouse is the son of woodwind instrument maker Richard Millhouse (senior), and the brother of Richard Milhouse (junior) (1).
Both brothers were musicians and musical instrument makers, learning their trade from their father, and establishing workshops in Newark, Soho and Oxford Street, London. The Oxford Street workshop was the later of the three, and bassoons stamped ‘W. Milhouse / London / 337 Oxford St’ date from 1822-1835 (2).
Ref: (1 & 2) William Waterhouse, 'The New Langwill Index' (1993), p. 264
This is a nine key instrument with a C# key being the extra key over and above the usual eight. It is likely to have been made between 1822 and 1835.
It is in very good condition with no rot and all keywork complete. It plays at 430Hz.
As this bassoon belongs to us we have tried playing it. Although in need of some work (re-pad, cork, removal of play from the keywork, setting up, etc.) to make it fully playable it has good intonation and projection in its current condition.
The bassoon is sold as is, but we can carry out a service at additional cost. It comes with a crook but we are not sure whether it is the original and has been cut short at some point.
It does not have a case, but we can provide a baroque/classical bassoon gig bag at additional cost.
Owned by Double Reed Ltd.