Heckel S-Bocals (from the maker): Ongoing development of S-bocals has led to a wide diversity of products with various alloys,diameters, diapasons, lengths and galvanisations. The following designs serve as loose guidelines in determining the right S-bocal. These attributes are based on decades of experience from musicians. The compatibility of S-bocals cannot be fully established as yet. They are influenced by the musician’s individuality, the instrument played and the mouthpiece used. Base MetalsOriginal Heckel S-bocals are available in various base metals. This is depicted with one letter above the cork. Base Metal Sound Quality Labeling above the cork German silver, soft Standard Type N German silver, hard Harder sound than CC Z Gold Brass Mellow and quiet sound for chamber and church music G Sterling Silver (925) Bright and quiet sound AG Gold 8 Carat (333) Mellow but direct sound AU Gold 14 Carat (585) Noticeably mellower sound 14kt Gold 18 Carat (750) As 14kt, but more accentuated 18kt Palladium Hard sound PD Original Heckel S-bocals are available in two different material thicknesses. The standardvariant has a wall thickness of 0.6 mm. S-bocals with a thinner wall thickness of 0.5 mm arelabelled with an additional “D”. S-bocals with a thinner layer of metal have an overtone richsound spectrum, along with good responsiveness and more flexibility in terms of intonation;they are however less stable and not suitable for all instruments in equal measure. Thelabelling of Heckel S-bocals has grown unsystematically out of the historical tradition. UsuallyHeckel S-bocals with thick walls are manufactured in soft German Silver (N) and hard Germansilver (Z). A thick walled bocal in soft metal is labelled CC; a thick walled bocal in hard metal islabelled C. With thin walled bocals the hardness labelling of the material only appears in theletters above the cork however Thick walled Thin walled Properties C,CC CD Standard Type for new Heckel bassoons Well balanced intonation, good responsiveness CE, CCE CDE Narrower on the narrow side. Increases responsiveness in the higher register. VC,VCC VCD Advanced Diapason Better “tuning within itself” for use with old Heckel bassoons and those from other makers. B BD Strong bellied diapason. Very light responsiveness inthe high register. Bad intonation in the mid range. BB BBD Light bellied diapason. Light responsiveness in thehigh register. Bad intonation in the mid range GalvanisationsNon-galvanised - Specific sound of the relevant base material.Silver plated - Pleasanter, fuller sound.Nickel plated - Brighter sound.Gold plated - Increased stability with Gold-Brass-S-bocals. XL-BocalsAll original Heckel S-bocals are available in XL-Variants. With this product the Nipple (Pianomechanism vent) is modified to better responsiveness in the high register. R-BocalsAll original Heckel S-bocals are available in R-Variants. With this product the metal is compressed more strongly and evenly which leads to better responsiveness and a wider soundspectrum. R-S-bocals are labelled exclusively underneath the cork and have no stamp. S-Form / S-BendsOriginal Heckel S-bocals are manufactured in the traditional S-Form as well as in a flat bend(English bend). Over and above this we manufacture custom made bends to order (Drawings).
