This bassoon is built in the typical four sections: bell, long or bass, butt, and wing. The instrument has four brass keys (one of which is missing), mounted in brass saddles, and four brass rings and a brass crook. This instrument is one of the earliest bassoons made in North America known to survive.

John Meacham was one of the earliest musical instrument makers native to the United States, having been born in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1785. He began manufacturing instruments in about 1810 in Albany, New York. His brother Horace joined him in 1813. The Meachams also sold hardware and military goods. The company became Meacham and Pond in 1828 when the brothers partnered with Sylvanus Pond.

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