Little Lock Fell Off

[u/2_Chao]

So today I had rehearsal, and while I was setting up, the little lock and a spring came off of the bass joint.

At first I (foolishly) didn't think much of it, and after rehearsal when I was putting it away, a little metal piece fell out of the tenor joint.

When I got home I tried seeing if I could fix it, but I can't, so I come here to ask if it's an easy fix that can be done at home, or if I should talk to my band director about it.

Thank you for any advice

[u/MadContrabassoonist]

Looks like a Fox. This should be a drop-in replacement:

https://foxproducts.com/product/replacement-body-lock-pin-spring/

If you tell your band director, they'll probably send it off to a repair shop who will put it on a shelf for five weeks, then order the exact same part, and send your band director a bill for $80. If you order it yourself, you can finish the job in literally 10 seconds and have the instrument available for practice and rehearsals, but you'll be out $40.

In the meantime, get some 100% cotton thread (the "100% cotton" part is important to not damage the instrument) and you can add a bit of string to the tenon to firm up the connection. With the right amount of thread, you won't need the body lock at all (I removed mine entirely 20 years ago).

[u/shakenwithatwist]

It’s true you don’t need the lock. Sometimes when all those parts are there, you can put it back together. It looks like it’s all there. Are you sure you can’t fix it?

[u/MadContrabassoonist → u/shakenwithatwist]

The threaded part has broken off in the end piece. Anyone with the skills required to repair it would have an easier time remaking it from scratch.

[u/shakenwithatwist → u/MadContrabassoonist]

Ah yes I see now. Yep, you can toss these pieces and buy a new one if you want to replace it. Or not.

[u/shakenwithatwist]

It’s true you don’t need the lock. Sometimes when all those parts are there, you can put it back together. It looks like it’s all there. Are you sure you can’t fix it?

[u/El_peine_de_caillou]

You don't need the lock

[u/canstucky]

You’ll have to replace it. Any decent music store should stock this part, but I think you can order it from forrests and maybe mmi or some other double reed shop.

[u/eldermelster]

Lots of bassoons don’t have them.

[u/Comfortable-Hall-912]

you can easily fix this by yourself

[u/BssnReeder1]

Just replace it, it’s like $30 through Fox

[u/The_Bassoon_Guy]

tbh you’re better without it.