I love the bassoon ! By far my favourite woodwind instrument. It can be fruity, it can be menacing. On some mellotrons, there's a bassoon and flute mix setting. It's one of my favourite sounds. It takes me right back to Pogle's Wood {for anyone that remembers.....}
I've only recorded one sax but the best sound we acheived was indeed as the others suggested with the mic pointed at the body of the sax rather than looking down the bell that way we got more of the throaty growl we wanted.
I also have a Ramsa clip on but i havent had the chance to use it yet. Its supossed to be really good for live. Who knows?
For recording sax, I've had better luck with dynamic mics like the RE20 (with a good preamp). I often (not always) find condensers too shrill for some things (even really good condensers).
You also have to adjust for the TYPE of sax:
Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Baris (and that huge Contrabass) are in different sound registers.
You wouldn't mic a soprano singer the same way you mic a bass singer.