NEW ITEMS IN STOCK

Quodlibet FHRED instruments supports

The FHRED instrument support is a telescoping peg with an attachment for the thumb rest of your instrument on one end and a rubber foot on the other. The telescoping sections of the FHRED allow easy adjustment, extending to the length needed for playing and collapsing to a minimum length for storage and transport. Because the FHRED attaches to thumb rest of your instrument and the base is placed on the seat of your chair or in a SAMI, nothing will interfere with the sound production of your instrument. It attaches to the thumb rest, not the instrument. When a FHRED is used for playing in a seated position, it transfers the stresses which cause physical problems to the chair seat not to some other part of your body. When a FHRED is used for playing standing, it transfers the stresses to a SAMI which attaches to a belt or sash around your waist so you never experience more force than the weight of your instrument.

Robert Shlaer Low Pitch Alto Recorder, plastic/wood hybrid

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 (pear elbow shown on cherry bass). Pictures: 1,2,3

Kung Contrabass in F

The new Küng contrabass is the ideal complement to the Superio models--a low register register partner to the successful greatbass. It has a range of 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 pedestal or recorder stand make it easier to use.

Kung Bass Adjustable Floor Rest

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

Instrument Decoration by Marian Henry

Custom decoration of wooden instruments

See examples on my Paetzold contrabass recorder page

Violin Family Instruments

I now sell Baroque and modern violins, violas and cellos. All instruments are made in China by experienced luthiers. I sell Ifshin Violins' Jay Haide Baroque instruments, LuMi Baroque and modern instruments, and Snow modern instruments.

Optimized Crumhorns

These crumhorns are commercially made by a well-known maker, and further improved by David Hogan Smith. He thoroughly oils them, tunes them (mean-tone tuning) and makes dry-play custom cane reeds (no soaking needed). The resulting instruments play easily, clearly and strongly. These are beautifully playing instruments comparable in sound and construction quality to handmade crumhorns.

Hardwood Recorder Stands

Beautifully made hardwood recorder stands. Come apart for easy transport and storage. Standard configuration is for SnSATB. Custom configurations upon request. Contact George Greenwood: gisinc@pacbell.net

Moeck Ehlert Sopranos

The new Ehlert recorders combines the advantages of various historic models:

Due to the wide conical bore, it has the strength of tone of a renaissance recorder
Due to a windway designed after baroque models, it has both the flexibility of sound and dynamics of a baroque recorder
Due to its design, it has a large compass (2-1/2 octaves) with the advantage that the f sharp³ (c sharp³) no longer has to be played by the awkward closing of the bottom hole. Although the instrument is significantly longer than a standard recorder, it does not require any keys besides the double key on the foot joint in order to close the two bottom holes comfortably.
The new Ehlert soprano, alto and tenor have been modeled on baroque tenors (Hotteterre, Bressan e.g.) as well as long-bore German recorders made around 1930, and therefore can be played with the customary baroque fingerings. Thus, there is no need to learn new fingerings, except of course for the pitches higher than f sharp³ (c sharp³).

The new Ehlert soprano, alto or tenor is suitable for recorder music from all styles and periods. On account of its strong tone color and volume, it is particularly suitable for playing with piano and other "modern" instruments. It is strong enough to hold its own with a Baroque orchestra.

Bernie Lehmann Rebecs

The Rebec
The Rebec enjoyed an extraordinarily long period of popularity, eventually evolving into the concertmasters "Kit" in the 19th C. It is a 3 stringed Fiddle with a teardrop-shaped carved body and a flat top. The Rebec has a bright sound, and is a wonderful solo melody instrument.

K&M Aluminum Music Stands

K&M's latest stand is a very lightweight (0.6 kg or a little over 1 lb.) high-quality stand. If you've always wanted a lightweight stand, but didn't want to spend a bundle, this one is for you.

Yamaha YRS-322B

Yamaha YRS-322B translucent, colored sopranos. These are not the low-end YRS-20 series. These sopranos are the high end 300 series instruments with Baroque fingering and curved windway, the same as the dark brown/ivory instruments. They are normally not available in the US, but I was able to obtain a small stock of them. Available until I run out.

Ifshin Violins' Jay Haide Baroque Violins

These violins have been handcrafted and set up to exact Baroque specifications and provide the musician an opportunity to own a fine Baroque instrument at a reasonable price.

Wendy's Viols

Less expensive, relatively undecorated instruments are now available at lower prices than the decorated instruments. They have one border of double purfling around the front and back, and the finish is less highly polished than on the decorated instruments.

Pardessus are now available. Large 6-string basses (74 cm and 80 cm string length) are also coming. The 80 cm bass can be used as an A violone or an all-gut strung bass.

Hotteterre Tenors and Kung Superio basses with added key

I've gotten some custom made (by Moeck) Hotteterre tenors with an added key on the fourth finger hole to make the worst stretch of the instrument easy. Now people with finger stretch problems can play this wonderful tenor.

I also have Kung Superio basses with a key added on hole 1 to make this fabulous bass playable by almost anyone.

Stefan Puchalski Vielles

I'm trying out the simple vielles or medieval fiddles of Port Townsend, WA maker Stefan Puchalski. Sweet and easy to play. I'll soon add his more elaborate vielles with carved soundboards.

Martin Wenner Baroque & Renaissance Flutes

Wenner flutes, modeled after various historical instruments, made in boxwood, ebony or grenadillla, play easily, clearly and strongly. I am not a flute player and even I can get a full, clear sound out of these instruments.

Mollenhauer Dream Knick Bass

Mollenhauer has finally added the knick bass to its Dream line of Renaissance-sounding but Baroque-range instruments. The new knick bass is an instrument with strong sound. The knick style makes it easy for players with short arms to play. The direct blow style allows sharper attacks and more control over speaking.

Mollenhauer Modern Soprano

Mollenhauer has now expanded its Modern series to include a Modern Soprano. The instrument length, bore design and key system (B-foot) give this instrument an unusually full, rich tone. The dynamic range and extended range from b up to high g''' give this new soprano expressive qualities far beyond all traditional models.

Chris English Bows

Wendy's Viols

I offer Wendy's Viols imported directly from China under the name of Wendy Gillespie, renowned member of the viol consorts Fretwork and Phantasm. Commissioned by Finnish gambist Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, these instruments are hand-made in Beijing, China by master Wang Zhi Ming, who learned violin-making from his father, who studied classic German methods.

These viols are made from very high quality wood, which gives them a good timbre and a beautiful appearance. These are real instruments, beautifully built with a sweet, bright sound. You may find cheaper viols, but not with this degree of resonance and craftsmanship. Wendy has played concerts worldwide on these instruments. Soft and hard cases and bows (Chinese and Begin bows) also available.

Charlie Ogle Chinese Violas da Gamba

These viols and bows are being made in China by highly skilled instrument makers under the direction of Charlie Ogle, using high quality materials. The soundboards are hand carved spruce, the backs and sides are figured maple.

These are good instruments, at great prices. They are well designed, well made, and properly set up. Both students and advanced players will find them suitable for all uses.

Pirastro Viola da Gamba Strings

String for treble, tenor and bass viols, as well as any other strings Pirastro or Aquila makes, are available at discount prices.

Konig and Meyer (K & M)

K&M high quality music and instrument stands (gambas, sackbuts, guitars, etc.) available at discount prices.

Sheet Music

A wide range of sheet music is available from such publishers as London Pro Musica, Schott, L'Oiseau Lyre, Dovehouse, Landmark Press, etc.

Mollenhauer Modern Alto Options

Mollenhauer has come out with two options for its Modern Altos. First, you now have a choice of the old, somewhat flute-like voicing, or the new standard Baroque recorder voicing. Second, you have the option of a 3-keyed E-foot, allowing you to play low E, F and F# instead of the normal F and F#. This foot can be added to older Modern Altos as well.

Herbert Paetzold Square Bass Recorders

I am again be carrying these impressive instruments. A shipment of contrabasses and great basses has arrived.

Pavel Číp Gemshorns

I ordered several sets (sopranino to great bass) of these extremely well-made, sweet sounding instruments. They quickly sold, and further instruments have gone so quickly that I can't keep a set in stock for myself.

Küng Greatbass in C, Knick (bent neck), stained maple, 9 keys

I got my first great bass in June. I was prepared to be disappointed after all the hype this recorder has received. However, it is one impressive instrument! It plays easily over a range of at least two octaves, with CLEAR and strong sound. The bottom C is very strong and speaks easily, without needing a soft attack. In fact, it is hard to overblow it. The highs play with surprisingly low breath pressure and speak without the necessity for strong attacks. Even the high C# plays easily, with a simple fingering, and in tune. I got 3 more; they were even better than the first one. They are already sold. I've ordered 10 more. Kung has a winner!

Mollenhauer 2446K Knick (bent-neck) Tenor, C/C# keys

The normally large stretch between the 4th and 5th finger holes, that is often a problem for people with small hands (children, too) or arthritis, is considerably reduced on this tenor. And the bent-neck design also reduces the awkward angle needed for the right wrist. The combination of these design factors and the strong bottom and easy high notes make this recorder a winner!

I can add matching keys to finger holes 3 & 4 to make this instrument easier to reach than an alto.

Mollenhauer 5430K Tenor, C/C# keys + 4th finger hole key

The normally large stretch between the 4th and 5th finger holes, that is often a problem for people with small hands (children, too) or arthritis, is almost completely eliminated on this tenor by the addition of a key for the 4th finger.

Yamaha YRT-304BKn Knick (bent-neck) Tenor, C/C# keys

I have modified Yamaha's popular plastic tenor to transform it into a bent-neck design, as suggested by a customer, Elena Cardinell. It raises the position of the right hand, allowing a straight wrist. This results in a greater ability to stretch the fingers to reach the holes/keys. This alteration often allows people with small hands or stretch/reach problems to play tenor. The design change does not affect tuning or the sound of the instrument.

I am also happy to modify your Yamaha YRT-304B plastic tenor.

Brass keys can also be added to plastic or wooden recorders.

By the way, I also carry a C/C# keyed foot joint to replace your old single-keyed joint.

I will also consider modifying your tenors of other brands, charge to be determined based on work needed to make the appropriate jig.

New Makers

I have received a few instruments by the highly-respected maker, Ralf Ehlert. These hand-made instruments are superb.

And last but not least, I now sell Moeck recorders and other early winds, such as crumhorns and shawms.

Accessories

I now stock a variety of recorder-related accessories for your convenience. Cases (soft and hard), cork grease, mops, cleaning rods, Duponol, recorder oil, thumb rests (plastic, wood and brass), music stands, etc. If you would like me to stock any additional items not listed, please let me know.