Kung Recorders: Superio, Classica, Studio

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New Items

11/6/07

All Recorders, by Size/Price Contact

Used Instruments, 11/6/07

Upcoming Workshop Venues

Lazar's Early Music

Küng SUPERIO Recorders

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass

Ultra-Knicked Bass

Greatbass

Contrabass

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Küng Historica/Rippert Recorders

Küng Classica Recorders

Küng Studio Recorders

Küng Studio Knick Tenor Recorders

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Ordering

Warranty 

Interview with Andreas Küng

Küng Recorders

Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Parkway, 2006, Bill Lazar

 

Küng March, 2008 Price List

Unfortunately, due to the falling dollar and the price increase from Küng, I have had to raise my prices.

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Küng SUPERIO  Recorders

The new series

What the SUPERIO recorders have in common are the baroque sound, a light elegant tone and the possibility for dynamic playing.

However, the five different sizes have very different sound characteristics, as described below.

Model Number

Description

Sound Sample

Price

The SOPRANO recorder has a clear, soft and well-rounded sound.                                                                          Top of Page

blowing pressure high
fingering easy, Baroque fingering
length 31.6 cm (12.4")
weight 150 gms (5.3 ozs.)
outer shape high Baroque
block height high
bore wide
window wide
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside oiled
special characteristics requires high blowing pressure; must be oiled

2301

Soprano, Pearwood, 2-pc, double holes, curved windway (cw)

 

$197

2304

Soprano, Plumwood, same

 

$235

2306

Soprano, Palisander, same Kung Superio palisander soprano

 

$314

2308

Soprano, Tulipwood, same

 

$357

2309

Soprano, Olive, same

sound

$357

For the ALTO recorder, too, we consciously sought a wider sound spectrum. That is why this is an all-purpose recorder, which responds well in both upper and lower registers.                                                             Top of Page

blowing pressure high
fingering easy, Baroque fingering
length 47.3 cm (18.6")
weight 250 gms (8.8 ozs.)
outer shape high Baroque
block height high
bore wide, according to Stanesby Jr.
window large
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside oiled

2401

Alto, Pearwood, 3-pc, double holes, cw  

Maurice Steger plays Vivaldi

$433

2404

Alto, Plumwood, same  

sound

$536

2406

Alto, Palisander, same

Maurice Steger plays Vivaldi

$630

2408

Alto, Tulipwood, same

 

$719

2409

Alto, Olive, same                 Kung Superio palisander alto

 

$719

An outstanding new development is the Souffleur® by Küng. With a hole through the block, you are able to influence sound production and to play even more piano than with other known mechanisms.
Hear the difference: MP3 (1, 2) and see a description of the Souffleur (pdf 291 KB)

 

2911

    Alto, stained pearwood, Souffleur

 

 $565

2921

    Souffleur addition to your recorder

Sound 1, 2

     $94 + shipping

The tenor recorder is distinguished by a brilliant high register (can be played to G''', giving a range of two-and-a-half octaves!) but still has a wonderful depth: strong and with a full sound, even on the bottom notes. Thanks to the richness of its upper tones and its dynamism, it is similar to the traverso and highly suitable for the whole traverso repertoire. But the range of its sound also means it can be used to play contemporary recorder music or modern transverse flute pieces.                                       Top of Page

blowing pressure high
fingering wide despite keys, Baroque fingering
length 64.8 cm (25.5")
weight 450 gms (1.0 lbs)
outer shape high Baroque
block height high
bore narrow
window short
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside oiled
special characteristics powerful, low tones thanks to long foot with double key, light response, particularly suitable for solo literature. Instrument requires oiling.

2501

Tenor, Pearwood, 3-pc, double c-c# key, cw Kung Superio pearwood 2501 tenor recorder

sound

$809

2503

Tenor, Cherry, same

 

$903

2509

Tenor, Olive, same

 

$1273

Key addition     Keys can be added to make the reach easier, allowing you to play this wonderful tenor 1, 2

$125

One of the nicest instruments of this series is the BASS recorder. It has a range of two octaves and a fifth, has good tuning; fingering is no problem thanks to the knick and it sounds amazingly bass (many a Renaissance bass recorder has trouble keeping up!) with a strong, deep tone. It is therefore not only ideal for playing in a Baroque ensemble but is also excellent for Renaissance or contemporary music.                                                                                              Top of Page

blowing pressure medium, requires a lot of air
fingering large finger holes, somewhat wide, Baroque fingering
length 89.1 cm (35.3")
weight 1200 gms (2.65 lbs)
outer shape not historical, adapted to the Superio line
block height medium
bore wide
window large
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside oiled
special characteristics Good, low register with a clear highest register, extremely versatile (ensembles and solo). The angle gives an acoustically excellent instrument, which would not be the case via a crook.

2601

Bass, Pearwood, knick (bent neck), double f-f#key, cw

Piers Adams plays Purcell;

Piers Adams plays Cima

$1411

2603

Bass, Cherry, sameKung Superio cherry 2603 bass recorder

sound

$1,599

260XElbow Ultra-knicked bass

I have made a new elbow to give the Kung bass a more angled bent neck.  This raises the vertical body of the instrument by about 2-3 inches, allowing shorter people or people with reach problems to play this wonderful bass. Available in cherry or pear to match your instrument.

Pictures:

1,2,3

$250
9622 Adjustable bass end pin:

Stable, easily and quickly put on or taken off

Does not block bore or change pitch of low notes

Requires installing threaded socket in hole drilled in foot joint of bass

Picture:

1

$80; $110 installed
9635 Stand    

2722

    Greatbass in C, Knick (bent neck), 8 keys, thumbhole, 1st finger hole, 4th finger ring key hole

sound

$3150

9722 Kung Superio Great Bass Endpin, for playing while standing, adjustable from 10.6"-18.9"   $125
9735 Kung Superio Great Bass Stand   $82

This wide-bore instrument has deep, powerful lows and easy, clear highs for dynamic playing. The narrow wind-channel needs slightly more breath pressure than other greatbasses, but provides pleasant blowing resistance and more control.  The knick style gives the advantages of a direct blown instrument, with quick response. The knick elbow's two ends are the same diameter but of different lengths, allowing adjustment of the instrument height for different sized players.  Fully chromatic with C/C#; D/D#.  Well-designed keywork makes fingering easy.  A ringed key on hole 4 makes the normally weak F# strong and clear in both octaves.  Plays from CC to f, 2-1/2 octaves.  Sound comes out of the side of the foot joint, so the greatbass can be played resting on the floor when sitting, or using an adjustable support post when standing.  The instrument is paraffin impregnated with a lacquer finish.  Height is ~45"; weight is 4 lbs. 

I was prepared to be disappointed after all the hype this recorder has received. However, my first great bass is one impressive instrument! It plays easily over a range of more than two octaves, with a CLEAR and strong sound. The bottom C is very strong and speaks easily, without needing a soft attack. The highs play with surprisingly low breath pressure and speak clearly and easily without the necessity of strong attacks. The keywork is very functional and easy to use, and done to the usual high workmanship standards of Küng.

Subsequent instruments have been excellent.  This is a very popular instrument. Kung has a winner!               Top of Page

fingering easy fingering, thanks to the keys
length 115 cm (45")
weight 1.8 Kg. (4 lbs.)
outer shape free interpretation of Kynseker (greatbasses with 2 octaves are not historically correct)
block height medium
bore wide, angled
window large
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside stained, lacquered
playing position on floor
special characteristics strong, deep register with absolutely clear high register. Extremely versatile (ensemble and solo), strong F sharps thanks to ring key.
Kung Superio stained maple 2722 great bass recorder in C

2822

    Contrabass in F, bocal blown, double F/F# keys                 IN STOCK

sound

$5750

9822

    playing rostrum to raise contrabass to comfortable playing height

sound2-Trio

Nino Rota

$130

9835

    stand to store instrument in upright position

 

$85

 

     Instructions, use, fingering chart

   

The new Küng contrabass is the ideal complement to the rest of the Superio models--a low register partner to the successful greatbass. It has a range of more than two octaves, a wide bore and large fingerholes, and its sound is therefore deep and strong but still rich in overtones. It has a clear high register thanks to the direct blowing position of the bocal tube. The subbass is eminently suitable for ensemble playing, for both traditional and new music. This exceptional instrument can be played seated or standing. Accessories such as a playing pedestal or recorder storage stand make it easier to use. The adjustable length bocal makes it accessible for short or tall players.

The keys for the right hand are mounted on the long foot-joint. This makes them stable and contributes to the instrument's low key noise. The outlet of the bocal is directly over the wind-channel and is the main reason for the precise, direct focused sound. And the top can also be turned so that the airstream goes indirectly to the wind-channel, resulting in a duller, less focused sound. A small removable cup collects condensation from the bocal and can be quickly emptied as needed.

blowing pressure

medium, requires much air
fingering good; more comfortable to play if standing up
length 200 cm (~79"; 6.6 ft.)
weight 6 Kg (~ 13 lbs.)
outer shape according to Kynseker
block height medium
bore wide, early Baroque
window large
treatment inside paraffin impregnated
treatment outside stained, lacquered
special characteristics strong low register with clear high register – thus very versatile (ensemble, solo)

Sorry for the price increase.  Kung has raised the price on this instrument quite a bit as of the first of this year.  Prices may rise further if the current worsening of the exchange rate continues.

Kung Contrabass Flier

I received two contrabasses in June and played one at the SFEMS Med/Ren workshop.  It was a big hit with teachers, students and audience alike.  It plays with a deep, rich, clear sound all the way from the very bottom to the top--VERY nice.  It speaks surprisingly quickly in spite of the long bocal.  I played both the Paetzold and Küng in our Renaissance Band concert.  The Küng takes a lot of air compared to the Paetzold, but the reward is a richer and fuller sound.  My first customer took his to the Amherst Early Music Workshop.  He had people trying to buy the instrument from him.  The Flanders Recorder Quartet borrowed the instrument to use in their performances.  The instrument is impressive to look at and even more impressive to hear.  Another great design from Andreas Küng and Geri Bollinger.    Top of Page

 

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Küng Historica/Rippert Recorders                    

Hand-crafted instruments closely copied from originals.  

Characteristics:  Agile instruments with a fine sound.  

                                Elegant, with a particular charm.  

                                Not suitable for too much blowing pressure!

 

Model Number

Description

Price

4413 Rippert Alto in f, A440 European Boxwood, stained

Kung Rippert Alto Recorder

$875
5212 Denner Sopranino, A415 European Boxwood Kung Denner Sopranino Recorder $620

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Küng Classica Recorders

Characteristics: appealing sound that carries well, good tuning and response.  

The larger proportions of these instruments makes them ideal for use in ensembles.

 

Model Number

Description

Price

 
 

3107

Garklein in C, grenadilla

$122

 
 

3108

Garklein in C, tulipwood

$122

 
 

3201

Sopranino in F, pearwood

$122

 
 

3205

Sopranino in F, bubinga

$185

 
 

3207

Sopranino in F, grenadilla                        Kung Classica 3207 grenadilla sopranino recorder

$239

 
 

3208

Sopranino in F, tulipwood

$239

 
 

3307

Soprano in C, grenadilla

$330

 
 

3308

Soprano in C, tulipwood                        Kung Classica 3308 tulipwood soprano recorder

$330

 
 

3407

Alto in F, grenadilla                      Kung Classica 3408 grenadilla alto recorder

$616

 
 

3408

Alto in F, tulipwood

$616

 

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Küng Studio Recorders

Full, warm, rather deep tone, but at the same time strong, thanks to fairly narrow labium.

Characteristics: full sound, consistent intonation, good response in the upper and lower registers.

Kung Studio Model recorders have a full sound, balanced tone, and a good, easy response in all registers.  Their dark, warm sound is well-suited for ensemble playing.

   

The construction characteristics are medium block height, wide bore, medium window, paraffin impregnated, matte lacquer finish, in pear (earthy warm sound).  The instrument is 60.8 cm (24 inches) long and weighs approximately 370g (13 oz.).  

 

Model Number

Description

Sound Sample

Price

 
  1101    Garklein in C, pearwood sound $85  
  1102    Garklein in C, maple   $85  
 

1201

Sopranino in F, pearwood

sound

$117

 
 

1202

Sopranino in F, maple                   Kung Studio 1202 maple sopranino recorder

 

$117

 
 

1203

Sopranino in F, cherry

 

$144

 
 

1211

Sopranino in F, stained pearwood

 

$117

 
 

1301

Soprano in C, pearwood          Kung Studio 1301 pearwood soprano recorder

Maurice Steger plays van Eyck

$77

 
 

1302

Soprano in C, maple

sound

$77

 
 

1303

Soprano in C, cherry

 

$100

 
 

1311

Soprano in C, stained pearwood

 

$84

 
 

1901

Folklora Soprano in Bb, pearwood

Andreas Kung plays 'voll dra' - Swiss country music

$174

 
 

1906

Folklora Soprano in Bb, palisander

 

$287

 
 

1401

Alto in F, pearwood          Kung Studio 1401 pearwood alto recorder

sound

$209

 
 

1402

Alto in F, maple

 

$209

 
  1403     Alto in F, cherry   $272  
  1411     Alto in F, stained pearwood   $217  
 

1501

Tenor in C, pearwood

sound

$341

 
 

1502

Tenor in C, maple

 

$341

 
 

1503

Tenor in C, cherry     Kung Studio 1503 cherry tenor recorder

 

$443

 
 

1511

Tenor in C, stained pearwood

 

$351

 
 

1581

Tenor in C, bent neck, pearwood

sound

$409

 

Ordering Information                                                                                                                                                Top of PageSubcontrabass recorder in Bb, by Adriana Breukink

Email, call or write me to order or discuss your needs.  You can't order from my web site--I like to discuss your order with you first.

Many people have told me how much they enjoy my bringing my ‘store’ of instruments to workshops so that they can try many different ones over the course of a few days.  This makes their decision-making process much easier. 

Obviously, when ordering by mail, I can’t send you my whole ‘store’ of instruments to try, but I do try to come as close as is reasonably possible.  All instruments can be ordered on approval.  I am happy to send out two or more instruments for you to compare.  For instance, I could send out two or three rosewood altos, or rosewood, pearwood, grenadilla and  boxwood altos for you to sample.  Then you can play them (please, no more than 15 minutes per day, just as if you were starting the breaking-in process), let your friends try or listen to them, and let a teacher try them.  This gives you some feedback on your choice, and gives you more confidence in your decision. 

I want you to be satisfied with your instrument, and feel under no obligation to buy it if you don’t like it.  A normal time for deciding is approximately one week.  I, of course, expect any returned instruments to be in like-new condition (see below).  Whether you decide to buy an instrument or not, all I ask is that you pay for shipping costs both ways.

Once you have decided on a purchase, I will bill you. 

Email, call or write me to order or discuss your needs.  You can't order from my web site--I like to discuss your order with you first.

 

I had an instrument returned that smelled of cigarette smoke.  The customer did not smoke, but a visitor did.  I haven't yet succeeded in removing the smell.  I can't sell a smoky instrument, so I do not want to send instruments on approval to households where people are allowed to smoke.  If a smoky-smelling (or mildew-smelling) instrument is returned to me, I will not accept it, and you will have bought it, since it is no longer in like-new condition.  In my experience, hardly any recorder players smoke, so this should be a rare occurrence.  So please, no smoke, mildew or lipstick, and brush your teeth before playing--all things you should do if the instrument were yours.  I hope you understand this policy.

 

I don't give out customer contact information to other companies.

 

I accept personal checks, money orders or cashiers checks.  
I accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. VisaMasterCard  
CONTACT

To order, email, phone or write me your request.

292 Gibraltar Dr., Ste. 108

Sunnyvale, CA 94089

 (Map)  (Detail)

(866) 511-2981 toll free

(Pacific Time Zone)

(408) 734-4920 local/foreign

jblazar@aol.com

www.LazarsEarly Music.com

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT-Call



Warranty                                                                                                                                                                                Top of Page

Küng instruments are warranted for one year from the date of purchase against defects in materials or workmanship.  Contact David Ohanessian (davidohan@earthlink.net) for warranty service.

Küng warranty service:

David Ohanessian
106 NW 104th. St.,
Seattle, WA. 98177

(206) 781-8517

davidohan@earthlink.net