Many schools and some music stores have bassoons for rent and that is definitely the option that beginning students should go with until they are sure that they want to stick with the bassoon because of the large investment. Unfortunately many of the bassoons that are under $4000 are very poor quality in many ways, and at $2000 for the cheapest bassoon on the market, you'll be wasting a lot of money. For a good student bassoon I would recommend a Fox Rendered Model 41 (~$4400) or a Fox Model IV (~$5200).

Most bassoons come with bocals that you do not want to use, make sure you get a #2 and a #3 Fox bocal. The #1 bocal is too short and will play very sharp, the #4 is too long and will play flat.

Used bassoons can be fine purchases also, and save you money, but when buying used make sure to have a professional check it first for rot in the boot or damaged parts. Some popular brands are: Kolert, Adler Sonora, Puchner, and Moennig for European bassoons and Fox, Conn, and Berdon for American brands.

Next: Reeds!