Any bassoon low A extension is an acoustic compromise – the bassoon is simply not built or tuned with the extra length in mind. A traditional cylindrical, thick-walled low A extension typically suffers from an incredibly stuffy low B in addition to significant tuning and timbre changes throughout the instrument’s range. In addition, when these types of extensions made of more robust materials (plastic, glass, metal) the extra weight noticeably impacts the balance of the instrument while being played.
While it is not possible to eliminate these drawbacks entirely, they can be significantly reduced. The RIBO Low A extension’s unique shape and thin-wall construction allow the instrument to speak with less resistance on low B and significantly lessens other acoustic changes. Furthermore, its light weight (under 20 grams) virtually eliminates balance or weight concerns.
![RIBO Low "A" Extension for Bassoon Edmund Nielsen Woodwinds Store](https://nielsen-woodwinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/0001021_ribo-low-a-extension-for-bassoon.jpeg)