Fox Double Reed Instruments
Inspired by a Virtuoso
Fox supplies musicians around the globe with oboes and bassoons as well as offering some of
the finest contrabassoons and English horns in the world. Fox has been manufacturing distinctive
double-reed musical instruments for more than 60 years, serving thousands of musicians during that
time. Throughout its history, Fox has put the needs and tastes of its customers first when producing
musical instruments or making improvements to them.
As early as the 1930s, founder Hugo Fox was making his own bassoon reeds. Fox was the principal
bassoonist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922 to 1949. He started his company in South
Whitley, Indiana, during the summer of 1949. By the 1950s, he added oboe reeds to the Fox product
line. Additional machinery and tools led Fox to expand into bassoon production. The first Fox bassoon
was completed in November 1951. By the end of that first production year, Fox had delivered a dozen
bassoons. By the end of the ‘50s, Fox’s output reached 60 bassoons, 5,000 bassoon reeds, and
10,000 oboe reeds each year.
During the 1960s, the Fox company added a crew of skilled technicians to make their instruments
and train other employees in quality double-reed instrument manufacturing. The Fox company
survived Hugo Fox’s death in 1969 and went on to introduce a contrabassoon in 1970, and created
the value-priced Renard bassoon line in 1971.
In 1974 Fox expanded into oboe manufacturing, introducing the Fox Renard 330 Oboe. Since that time
Fox has introduced four English horn models and made significant improvements in the acoustics
and workmanship of all Fox professional oboes, as well as making further strides in developing the
professional bassoon.
Oboes and bassoons are a significant investment for an aspiring musician.
Moderately Priced Fox Oboes
The Fox Renard Model 333 Student Oboe is a high-quality instrument intended to
fit an institutional or family budget. Made from durable, stable resin, the Model 333
Oboe resists cracks and is impervious to humidity and temperature changes. The
oboe’s bore is hand reamed and finished by craftsmen at Fox. The posts, bands, and
bell ring are silver-plated. Arbors and wire springs are stainless steel for minimal
maintenance. Keys are nickel-silver with heavy silver-plating for great feel. The
Model 333 Oboe has a handmade modified conservatory mechanism that includes a
left-hand F key, F# key tab, and a non-articulated solid C# key, A♭ – B♭ adjustment
mechanism, third octave key, low B♭ vent, and a split-ring E♭ – E trill.
Renard Model 330 Artist Oboe
The Renard Model 330 Artist Oboe upgrades the student instrument while keeping it
affordable for performers and institutions. The 330 Artist Oboe is tuned for maximum
resonance and projection.
Fox Renard
Model 333
Student Oboe
Fox Renard
Model 330
Artist Oboe
Oboes & Bassoons | Content Provided by: Fox
The Fox Model 330 Oboe is a great combination of value and price. With a body
made from high-quality plastic resin, the oboe’s bore is hand reamed and finished
by craftsmen at Fox. Posts, rings, and bell are silver-plated. The oboe’s nickel-silver
keys have nickel-silver hinge tubing and heavy silver-plating for excellent feel and
action. The oboe’s handmade full conservatory mechanism include a split ring E♭
– E trill key, F# key tab, third octave key, low B♭ vent key, left-hand F, alternate C,
and articulated C#. The keys from low C and above have cork pads, and all adjusting
screws are tipped with Teflon® for smooth action and durability.
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Fox Double Reed Instruments
Inspired by a Virtuoso Continued
Fox Bassoons for Students and Institutions
The Renard Model 51 Short Reach Bassoon with its synthetic body makes an
ideal instrument for younger performers thanks to its light weight and modified
keywork adapted for young musicians with small hands. Even though it is a full-size
bassoon, by putting the keys within reach, it eliminates the handling problems
young musicians face when they first attempt to wrangle a bassoon.
The Model 51 bassoon’s long bore helps it produce warm sound and its nickelplated nickel-silver keys are arranged in a modified German system. Intended
especially for middle school music students, the Fox Renard Model 51 Bassoon has
two bocals included: numbers 1 and 2, both with a C bore.
For budget-conscious high school music programs, college method classes—or
parents—the Fox Renard Model 41 Bassoon offers excellent intonation, a sturdy
lightweight polypropylene body, and durable keywork. Its price is quite reasonable
for an instrument in its class. The bassoon offers excellent acoustics and critical
dimensions have been machine finished for accuracy. Keys are nickel-silver with
nickel-plating and arranged in a full German system. Each instrument is individually
hand tuned by Fox and is delivered with a set of two C-bore bocals, numbers 1
and 2.
Fox Model IV Bassoon
The Fox Model IV Bassoon was the first Fox bassoon to have a synthetic body.
Improved since its inception in 1960, it still offers musicians and institutions a
bassoon with a desirable symphony-length bore, and standard keywork with a high
D key and a ring key. Tone is warm and rounded with even balance and excellent
intonation throughout the instrument’s range. Because of its stable acoustic
design and durable body, the Fox Model IV Bassoon is ideal for budget-conscious
purchasers of their first bassoon or performers who want a second instrument.
The Model IV bassoon’s keys are nickel-plated nickel-silver in the full German
system, and a ring key for a wing joint third finger hole. Fox individually hand tunes
each Model IV bassoon and ships it with a pair of professional bocals of number 2
and number 3 length with a CVX bore.
Fox Renard Standard 222 Bassoons
Fox Renard
Model 51
Short Reach
Bassoon
Fox Renard
Model IV
Bassoon
Oboes & Bassoons | Content Provided by: Fox
Fox Renard
Standard 222
Bassoon
Finally for a genuine wood bassoon in the moderate price range, the Fox Renard
Standard 222 Bassoon is Fox’s lowest-price wood bassoon and is an excellent
choice for school music programs and novice bassoonists. Made of sugar maple,
the Model 222 Bassoon’s long bore yields warm tone and excellent intonation.
Maple is a durable wood for instrument construction, and Fox ages their maple
carefully in their own facilities before finishing it with acrylic enamel.
The Renard 222 Bassoon’s silver-plated nickel-silver keys are arranged in the full
German system. An optional high D key is also available. The wing joint third finger
hole has a plateau key. Projection and maximum resonance of each Renard 222
Bassoon is assured by individual hand tuning of the bassoon at Fox’s facilities.
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