The range of Paetzold recorders is the same as that for standard baroque recorders—more than two octaves (A-442).  Five sizes are now available—a basset (bass) in f, a great bass in c (an octave below a tenor), a contrabass in F (one octave below a regular bass),  a (6' 4") subgreatbass in C (two octaves below a tenor), and now a monster subcontrabass in FF (two octaves below a bass).  I am not aware of any other maker that currently offers a subcontrabass. One major attraction of Paetzold recorders, in addition to their lovely tone, in tune notes and unusual appearance, is that their sound, even on the lowest bottom notes, is very strong, in contrast to many other makers' low instruments. In my opinion, the Paetzold recorders also have a much sweeter and richer sound than any other makers' low instruments that I have heard or played (except for the amazing Kung Superio bass, great bass and soon-to-be-available contrabass). They blend wonderfully with other recorders, as well as with viols. All notes on each of these Paetzold recorders are played with keys, and include double keys for the two bottom notes (i.e. C/C#, D/D# on C instruments; and F/F#, G/G# on F instruments, although the subcontrabass in FF has no low F#).  Key design and placement on all Paetzold recorders allows easy playing of all notes, even for people with small hands or those with limited range of use or facility (repetitive stress injury, stroke victims). The basset (bass) is slightly longer than a tenor and has the quick and light response of an alto recorder. All Paetzold recorders include a custom fitted, plush-lined hard case.  The waiting time for delivery is approximately eight months, although I normally stock the basset, great bass and contrabass beech-veneered models.

The impetus for the design of Paetzold recorders came from a desire to lower the cost and simplify the construction of large recorders, making them available to a wider range of players. They are modeled after an organ pipe, and are square in cross-section, with a tapered bore. Since they are made of high quality beech-veneered plywood, neither expensive solid blocks of wood nor labor-intensive lathe work is required. The resulting recorders, although not cheap, are considerably less expensive than other makes of comparably sized recorders. For instance, mass-produced Moeck recorders cost considerably more: list price is over $6000 for the contrabass, without double keys, and $3000 for the great bass. Both of these are Renaissance instruments with a more limited range than the Paetzold instruments. The basset is priced comparably to the Moeck Rottenburgh or Renaissance models with double keys.

We play our Paetzold recorders in groups such as the Monterey Bay Recorder Society and the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra with approximately 20 to 40 other recorders. We can easily be heard in the group, without being overpowering. The only disadvantage is that when we make a mistake, everyone knows it!  Their unusual design and lovely sound always attract attention and curious questions. They are great fun to play. We play them doubling the bass and/or tenor lines an octave down on a lot of music. Since we have both the great bass and contrabass, we play a lot of SATB consort music an octave down, using T B GtB CtB. I also play them in place of or in addition to the viola da gamba on the basso continuo line on Baroque trio sonatas.

Pete Rose was commissioned by the Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet to write a special work for the group's new consort of Paetzold's 8'-pitch recorders.  The work is for bass, great bass, contrabass and subcontrabass Paetzold recorders. The Paetzold square bass recorders are used by the Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet, Frans Bruggen, Walter van Hauwe, Kees Boeke, Vicki Boekman and other demanding players around the world.

I usually have Paetzold recorders available at the Berkeley Early Music Festival, the Texas Toot, and the Port Townsend workshops, as well as other local shorter workshops such as the Oregon Coast Winds and Waves Workshop.  At the 1997 Port Townsend workshop, we had a great time playing in a quintet of square basses (dressed in cardboard appliance boxes and dubbed the Washington Squares).  I also attend other workshops around the country.  See my workshop schedule on my home page.

Article describing their use with electronics.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest in these unique instruments.

All include a fitted, plush-lined hard case

Paetzold Basset recorder in f

Bent bass recorder f in 3 parts, a'=442 Hz, chromatically playable over 2 octaves, square construction, size: 79 cm (31.1"), height of the air column ca. 85 cm, birch plywood, 2 tuning plates, normally played while seated by placing recorder on the chair between your legs.

Birch-plywood

$1650

Solid Cherry

$2500

Stand , 2 piece

Bent greatbass recorder c in 3 parts with support peg, a'=442 Hz, chromatically playable over 2 octaves, square construction, size without support peg: 110 cm (43.3"), height of the air column ca. 118 cm, birch plywood, 2 tuning plates, normally played while seated, using support peg.

Paetzold Contrabass recorder in F

Bent contrabass recorder ( Subbass recorder ) F in 3 parts, a'=442 Hz, chromatically playable over 2 octaves , square construction, size: 152 cm (4.99'), height of the air column ca. 175 cm, birch plywood, 2 tuning plates, normally played while seated with instrument resting on floor.

Birch-plywood

$3300

Solid Cherry

$4600

Stand, 1 piece, folding X base

$140

Stand, 2 piece folding X base, stores in hard case

Bent subcontrabass recorder in C in 3 parts, a'=442 Hz, chromatically playable over 2 octaves, square construction, size: 6'5" tall, length of the air column ca. 7' 5.5", birch plywood, 2 tuning plates, played while seated on high stool or standing.

Stand, 2 piece folding X base, stores in hard case

Paetzold Subcontrabass recorder in FF  (no low FF sharp)

Double bent subcontrabass recorder FF in 4 parts, a'=442 Hz, chromatically playable over 2 octaves (no FF sharp), square construction, size: 8'0.5" tall, length of the air column ca. 11'10", birch plywood, 3 tuning plates, played while standing.  The stand is highly recommended.

Case dimensions are: 37.8" x 24.4" x 6.7"

It has wheels on one end and a handle on the other, to be pulled like a wheeled suitcase.  The subcontrabass and case weigh 45 pounds.

Birch-plywood (Pictures:1,2)

$6000

(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!)