Not every player needs — or wants to invest in — a handmade professional bassoon such as one of our Ludlow bassoons. But every player deserves an instrument which is well made, carefully set up and genuinely rewarding to play.
That is why we created the Isca bassoon.
The Isca is designed to bridge the gap between conventional intermediate instruments and handmade professional bassoons.
We named it after the name of the Roman legionary fortress - Isca Augusta - on the outskirts of what is now Newport.
It begins with a good instrument manufactured overseas to our specification. We specify key aspects of the instrument, including its finish, keywork and fittings, before carrying out the work that makes each instrument an Isca in our own workshop in Wales.
The base instrument is good. The finished Isca is a step up in refinement.
Through extensive tuning, voicing, upgrading and individual set-up, we aim to achieve a level of refinement and performance that is exceptional at this price point.
Each Isca is individually worked on, set up and tested by Ludlow Bassoons:
each bassoon is tuned and voiced in our workshop to refine its intonation, tonal balance, response and projection
we use upgraded and enhanced components developed by Ludlow Bassoons, including extra keys, rollers, hand rest, locking-pin mechanism, screws and other fittings
final set-up, regulation and play-testing is carried out in-house by professional bassoonists
we support every Isca with our Ludlow Bassoons warranty and customer care
The result combines the value of specialist overseas manufacture with the acoustical expertise, components and individual attention of the Ludlow Bassoons workshop.
Playing characteristics
Modern, thick-walled design with exceptional projection and a wide dynamic range
Extensively hand-tuned for refined intonation and tonal balance
Free-blowing and responsive
Expressive, smooth sound
Secure and accessible upper register
Comfortable, carefully specified and individually regulated keywork suitable for advanced playing
Specification
Silver-plated keywork
Gloss varnish finish
High E key, High D key, left-thumb whisper-key lock, alternate right-thumb G♯, alternate right-hand third-finger Bb, alternate right-hand little-finger F♯, E–F♯ trill key, C♯ trill key and a full set of right hand thumb rollers
Lined finger holes extending into the bore to help reduce bubbling
Two crooks
Case with backpack straps
Optional short-reach key (shown in photo, no cost option)
Optional upgrade to Ludlow crooks
Manufactured overseas to our specification. Individually refined, tuned and voiced by Ludlow Bassoons in Wales.