HA! Sorry, but I can't feel sorry for you about the bassoon. Try being a percussionist sometime. I majored in music in college and when we toured, I would look longingly at those flute players who closed up their tiny tiny cases, while the other drummers and I would load up a van of crap, that had to be taken apart rolled, and packed. Marimbas, vibes, a couple of Timpani. Try carrying one of those.

Know how each section of a band/orchestra has it's own personality? I have to admit, the bassoonists were always the fun, intellectual ones. Something about a double reed, I guess.

Fortunately, I gave up band directing for teaching math, so now I just have to carry papers and books, but I keep watching your posts thinking, hmmmm, one of those xtracycles would be fun. I say go for it, but only if you aren't going to feel any guilt about spending the money.