A bocal is a little tube through which the air blown into the instrument passes on its trip between the reed and the actual instrument.
And from here the generalization ends.
A bocal is certainly not a bocal, which is certainly not just another bocal either.
Have I confused you enough yet?
The classical system (actually Heckel System, but most companies now use it) goes a such:
00_ = this is the shortest bocal, with the highest overall pitch
G_ = this bocal contains a high quantity of gold with a lustrous finish
These are the standard markings:
CC_ = the standard, 'middle-of-the-road' model, has good upper and lower range response
D_ = these bocals have a slightly thinner metal to aid in lower note response
What sets a bassoon apart from an oboe? (but not an english horn)
It is a bocal. (although in my opinion it is hard to call that little thing on an english horn a bocal!)
A person must find the right bocal for them. No, it isn't as important as the instrument itself, but the instrument itself does have a large part in choosing the bocal.
Let me explain.
Bocals have twists and turns in them, that, although slight and hard to see by the naked eye, change the cone and timbre a lot.
First, a bocal gets a numberical number for the length of the bocal tip to rear:
0_ = a short bocal wich raises the pitch, but less than the '00'
1_ = the second most popular bocal, used for a slightly higher than normal pitch
2_ = the standard bocal for Heckel and otherwise. for a pitch of A=440
3_ = longest bocal, flattens the pitch the most
The bocal also gets an alphabetical number for the type of metal used in its form, which goes as as follows:
S_ = this bocal is of a sterling silver, it has a soft shine, but dulls more easily
N_ or Z = this bocal was created of German Silver, it needs less care and is quite shiny
The other 2 sets of numbers have to do with the bore and internal shape of the bocal, and have an alphabetical number:
C_ = like 'CC' but with a thinner metal for enhanced overall response
B_ = thinner bore than a 'CC' for better upper note response
BB_ = similar to a 'B' but with an even thinner tip for even better high note response
These are numbers that augment the standard markings:
E_ = these bocals have an even thinner tip opening
V_ = these bocals are specially curved for great high note response
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