KUENG KUNG NEW MODEL 2414 BAROQUE STAINED BOXWOOD ALTO RECORDER IMPRESSIVE!

Description

WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY 2525 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67211 Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858
LONG STORY.... LET'S CALL THIS LECTURE, "NOT EVERYBODY LIKES CHARDONNAYS...."
As some of our fine clients are aware, we've sold Moeck recorders for half a century.   I've NO complaints with the way they're designed, the way they play and I've certainly no complaints about the high-quality worksmanship.
The Moeck "Denner Copy" at 415 pitch is 99% as fine as the ivory Denner that Friedrich von Huene built for me, forty years ago.  And since it's in boxwood, it's totally legal. My ancient ivory treasure, unfortunately is not.
The "Rottenburgh" series from Moeck is also superb....better than a decade ago.  Unless you've got the bucks to buy one of the fine recorders from the late Friedrich's workshop, they're as good as anything around.
But not everybody agrees with me.  Moeck's Denner and Rottenburgh models have a high and curved windway that produces a tone-color that is reedy and pure.  But ya gotta learn how to play one properly.  I've sometimes actually told a client "....probably, sir, you should save your money buying an instrument and spend it instead on lessons..."
So now let's discuss Kueng's recently re-designed altos.  The Swiss Franc's still pretty low and although their new "model 2414" alto is a few dollars more costly than the Moeck equivalent, there are some features on the Kueng instrument that are attractive.  And that will appeal to some players.
to wit:
The exterior diameter is a bit wider on the new Kueng models.   Fox bassoon company makes a "thick wall design" that's available on their bassoons and Kueng's design is on similar lines.   Which means the tone-color is a little darker, a little less reedy.
More important is the fact that the windway on the Kueng altos is a little higher, a bit more narrow.  A player who gets "burbles" playing a Moeck Rottenburgh on the low G & F will find Kueng's new model more forgiving.
I've got to say that I personally like BOTH the Moeck and the Kueng altos.
Like I mentioned above, "not everybody likes chardonnays".
Bottom line..... if you're curious about how these new altos from Kueng perform, let me send you one for a few days.  Might be able also to send you a Moeck for comparison....if we have enough in the warehouse, I mean.
I'm quite impressed with BOTH and I can also say that a good Meursault white is as fine for me any day as a Pommard red.
***
Questions about recorders? Write me! I've played alto recorder and baroque flute for more than five decades and can give you advice about almost anything. I played recorder and flute with the "Oakland Avenue Baroque Ensemble" for more than a decade, performed every trio-sonata known to mankind. Or so it seemed. Not a pro-group, of course....enthusiastic amateurs!
Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 12 employees including five of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell a few unrestored historical instruments each year.
*** BEFORE WE SEND ANYTHING TO YOU…
The instrument is carefully inspected by us to make certain it’s spotlessly clean. We disinfect the exterior of the instrument, spray the exterior of the case as well. We do not send anything to you without it’s being checked and then checked again.
*** A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR SENDING “ON APPROVAL”…
We’ve had the same policy for half a century, are always happy to send almost anything for a short trial period. Five days is, we believe, sufficient for a trained musician to decide if the item sent them is a good match.
A small percentage of instrument we send out are returned to us. Sometimes it’s a money issue, more often it’s “…you might consider taking lessons.” But as we always say, “If you don’t buy, we’ll still be friends.
”
We’ve had recent questions, though, about how we clean up returned approvals. You should know…
With recorders, clarinets, flutes, and oboes, we remove all the keywork, then give the bodies a quick bath. Soap and water, but not long enough to harm the finish. Keys are lightly sprayed with a disinfectant and pads are lightly swabbed with the same. Then, back in the case after a spray to the exterior and carrying handles of the case.
Not sure what the other shops are doing about this issue (I’ve asked and have had no replies), but we think our clean-up work is exactly what’s required to keep everybody safe.***
Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years:
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace, whichever in our estimation is the more advisable, pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees.”
Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953!
In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer.
Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation.  The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight and insurance charges on returned equipment.
International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to reimburse us for restocking and clean-up costs (2.95%) on any returned instrument.
VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/PAYPAL ACCEPTED. Credit cards not accepted from some countries and we must ship to the credit card billing address with exceptions made at our discretion.
We’re happy to respond to any and all questions about flutes and other musical instruments, but please don’t write and ask “What’s granny’s mellophone worth?”. Do an Ebay search and you’ll learn more than we’ll be able to tell you.
****
Wichita Band Instrument Co.
800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada),
316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line,