About Fox Products
We Believe Music Enriches Lives.
Founder Hugo Fox played bassoon for the Chicago Symphony for almost 30 years. While in the symphony, he wanted to improve the instrument that he loved and envisioned a high-quality bassoon made entirely in the United States. After retiring in 1949, he returned home to make that vision a reality. Today, we continue to embrace Hugo’s commitment to excellence while keeping production in the same location on the Fox family farm in South Whitley, Indiana, USA.
Who understands the qualities a musician is looking for in an instrument better than other musicians? We are committed to providing instruments that meet your needs. That’s why we enlist top artists in the industry to assist our R&D team. Musicians are involved in almost every step of our process, including play testing each instrument, so you receive the quality you deserve.
We age our own wood. We plate our own keys. We mount keys by hand from parts that we make. We do the little things ourselves to ensure that your instrument is designed to play the way it was intended. And the best part? The instruments in our Renard line are made with the same care and attention to detail as our professional models. This allows us to deliver the same high-quality standards that have become expected of Fox, regardless of the instrument’s price tag.
The History of Fox Products ...
How a chicken coop became a leading woodwind manufacturing companyOur Story
Founder Hugo Fox played bassoon for the Chicago Symphony for almost 30 years. While in the symphony, he wanted to improve the instrument that he loved and envisioned a high-quality bassoon made entirely in the United States. After retiring in 1949, he returned home to make that vision a reality. Today, we continue to embrace Hugo’s commitment to excellence while keeping production in the same location on the Fox family farm in South Whitley, Indiana, USA.
The Birth of Fox Products
Hugo Fox served as Principal Bassoon of the Chicago Symphony from 1922 until his retirement in 1949. During his time with the symphony, he conceptualized the possibility of world-class bassoons made in the United States. After retiring in 1949, he returned to his hometown of South Whitley, IN, where he opened shop in pursuit of this goal.
Humble Beginnings
All of our instruments were made in a modified chicken coop on the Fox family farm!
The First Bassoon
After two years of arduous tuning and acoustical work, Hugo Fox finished the first Fox bassoon.
A New Generation
Hugo's son Alan left his career in chemical engineering to help with the family business after his father's health started declining. The only non-musician in the family, Alan began to learn the art of instrument manufacturing and led Fox Products for more than fifty years. He oversaw developments in both the company's acoustical and manufacturing capabilities.
3,000 Ways Not to Make a Bassoon
Hugo suffered from a series of strokes and died in December of 1969. With no notes left by his father, Alan had to make changes through trial and error to find what worked and what didn't.
The First Fox Contrabassoon
The first contrabassoon to be produced in North America was Fox's Model 900.
Fox Enters the International Market
In the early 70s, Fox partnered with its first international distributor: Sanderson & Taylor in Edinburgh, U.K.
Renard Bassoons Introduced
The Renard line was introduced in 1972. Fun fact: Renard means fox in French!
The First Fox Oboes
The Fox Fire
On September 27, 1974, a fire destroyed the reed-making equipment and woodshop, resulting in over $150,000 in losses. Until a new facility could be built, Fox Products used other sites throughout South Whitley to keep Hugo's legacy alive.
The New Fox Factory
Despite the devastation, Fox found a way to continue thriving, starting with a new factory.
Number 10,000
Fox produces its 10,000th bassoon.
Fox Expands
Thick-Walled Instruments Introduced
Fox Expands Again
The factory was expanded again in 1996 to include the current office area. This addition brings us to how the Fox factory looks today.
The First Fox English Horns
The first Fox English horns are introduced. This included the Fox Model 500, 510 and 520, as well as the Renard Model 555.
New Ownership, Same Commitment
Life-long South Whitley resident Tony Starkey was named the new president in January 2012. Under his guidance, Fox Products continues to seek new avenues for improvement and develop methods to better meet the needs of musicians in the double reed community.
In-House Silver Plating
Fox Products opens a second location in South Whitley - often referred to as Fox North - to bring silver plating in-house.
Maple English Horns Introduced
Fox’s first maple English horn – the Fox Tristan, Model 580 – is introduced.
Maple Oboes Introduced
Fox introduces a maple version of the Sayen Fox Model 880 oboe.
Same Ownership, New Leadership
Under Tony’s continuing leadership as CEO, his son Gabe is named the new president of Fox Products.
Model 750 Introduced
With a name commemorating Fox Products’ 75th anniversary, the Fox Model 750 is the result of years of development, innovation, and collaboration with some of the world’s top bassoonists and pedagogues. This bassoon was launched in July of 2024.
The Fox Clarinet
Fox Products officially becomes a woodwind manufacturer with the addition of clarinets! The Model 5800 clarinet was announced in December of 2025, with sales beginning in 2026.
Bringing Small-Town Values to the World Stage
Fox Products continues production on the site of the Fox family farm in South Whitley, Indiana. Few people know the small town of 1700 people even exists, but it has always been home for Fox Products. While the company continues to grow, its commitment to excellence—and small-town values—remains unchanged.
