Basset recorder head "HP-Original", Master, black lacquered, Paetzold by Kunath

General information

The instrument from the MASTER series with the model designation: 449HPK-AS from Paetzold by Kunath is a companion that is always fun to play, both in the classroom and on stage.
This characteristic is largely due to the skilful combination of the special model design in the fine tuning with the tone colours of the birch plywood used.

The unique qualities of the material used in this instrument are a delight. The special properties can be characterised as follows: Rich in overtones.

The scale

The geometry of the inner bore of the instrument is cylindrical and wider. This type of bore gives the model its typical sound.
In principle, instruments with a wider bore sound warmer, fuller, more fundamental and therefore more suitable for ensembles than recorders with a narrower inner bore.

What music is the recorder best suited to?

Birch plywood is particularly suitable for recorders used in folk music and for beginners.

Who is the instrument aimed at?

This means that instruments made from birch plywood are particularly suitable for ambitious amateurs and advanced players. Another rule to bear in mind is that in most cases, a higher-quality instrument makes music-making less complicated than a seemingly inexpensive instrument.

The windway of the recorder

The windway is the area in the head of the recorder where the blowing air is moulded into a thin sheet of air. This sheet of air is the basis of a recorder's sound production. At the labium, the vibration that generates the flute's sound is created from this sheet of air. The shape of the windway is therefore very relevant for the sound and response of the recorder.

The 449HPK-AS instrument from Paetzold by Kunath has a windway that is straight and conical in shape.
Conically shaped windways accelerate the air blade more than cylindrical ones.
Windways are naturally extremely complex in their geometric design and many parameters are influenced by each other.

Fingering

The Paetzold by Kunath MASTER 449HPK-AS recorder is available in the following version: .

Keys

It is not always possible to drill tone holes in places that are comfortable to play with the hands. Particularly in the case of bass recorders, some tone holes are located in places that are ergonomically inadequate for gripping for reasons of responsiveness. On such instruments, the instrument makers add keys that make playing considerably easier or even possible in the first place.
The 449HPK-AS instrument has the following keys: . This allows the recorder to be played ergonomically even by players with smaller hands. This type of key mechanism is unique and legally protected. Especially in Taiwan and Korea, these models are often used in schools by well-known teachers for adolescent players.
But adult players with small hands also appreciate the advantages.

Construction method

The construction of a recorder in terms of its multiple parts influences in many ways the way in which the woodwind instrument can be handled easily in terms of ease of assembly and safe transport during daily use.
This is particularly important when larger instruments or several instruments have to be taken along.
Experienced ensemble players can tell you a thing or two about this.

Packaging and accessories

The recorder comes as standard with an optional bag/case and matching accessories: grease tin, fingering chart, care instructions

Hygiene tips

If the recorder is shared, you should consider regularly cleaning the blowing area sterilely for your own protection. In these cases, the care product Flautisept has proven its worth. You can find Flautisept in our collection.

Notes on finding a new instrument

How to find your new instrument easily
Ask friends!
Don't let "expert" opinions put you off trying out a new recorder yourself. Your taste is as unique as you are. Therefore, only you can decide which recorder will make you happy.
Our recommendation is therefore: test different models that you have never tried before. You can only gain new experiences.