A remarkable Instrument

George Zukerman plays on a wide-bore bassoon crafted by the artisans of the Heckel (KG) factory in Biebrich, Germany in 1949-50. It is reputedly the last instrument on which Wilhlem Heckel [grandson of the founder of the company] actually worked.

The instrument is number 9174, and is insured by Clarion Insurance, specialists in musical instrument underwriting.

Mr. Zukerman plays exclusively on a large selection of pre-war Heckel bocals with the following two remarkable exceptions:

• brass, Russian made, 1 ½ ND (?)
• Dull finish, Chinese made 1 H.Y.

Over the years the instrument has been maintained by:

• W. Hans Möenig, in Philadelphia from 1951 to 1985
• Frank Marcus and Shane Wieler in Brampton, ON from 1988 to present

Marcus-Wieler workshop, Hill S., Brantford (1998)

Heckel workshop on Stettiner Strasse in Biebrich. (Circa 1950)

W. Hans Möenig at work in his Philadelphia workshop (Circa 1972)

A bassoon workshop of the past (Circa 1715)