KUENG KUNG NEW MODEL 2409 BAROQUE OLIVEWOOD ALTO RECORDER SUPERB, GORGEOUS!

Description

WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY 2525 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67211 Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858
RECORDERS FROM THE KUENG WORKSHOP IN SWITZERLAND
Franz Kueng's music shop in Schaffhausen was established in 1933. By 1938 the small firm made the decision to concentrate on recorders of the highest quality.
Nine decades later, the workshop is still controlled by the Kueng family. Franz's grandson Stefan is the director and in charge of all production. And they're still in the same house, on Grabenstrasse, that Franz purchased in 1933.
We've sold a few of these superb instruments for several years and note that Kueng instruments seem to us to improve a bit each vintage. As for their current production, think "finest-quality Swiss wristwatch, only in a recorder".
As with many wind instrument makers, Kueng offers a number of different models. We quite like their "Superio" instruments, especially the alto and tenor.
Reasonably priced, intonation that's perfect at 442(pull out the head 2mm if you prefer 440...), elegant and beautiful. Perfection!
*** A good client asked us, last month, to "special order" an olive-wood Kueng alto for her. I was so impressed with the instrument that I decided to always keep a few of them in our inventory.
*** The tone-color a bit more feminine, gorgeous, and silky.  Highly recommended!  Wonderful and full lower register.  No "burbles!"
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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 10 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.
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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.
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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,