Best Küng 1501 Studio Tenor Recorder Alternatives

Based on 3 reviews

I needed a new instrument because my old Rossetti (bought in 1963 for about £15) had reached the end of its useful life, especially since severe cracks appeared in the head joint after a mishap. I was looking for good sound quality, especially at the bottom end, and I believe that I have found it in this instrument, which (after 3 weeks) is now almost broken in. Sound quality is excellent throughout the range, although it took some time to master the keys for C and C#. The balance is very good, especially with the thumb rest. The instrument is very well made.

Based on 2 reviews

I'm a novice player and have initially used a plastic knick tenor. I'm less than 5 feet tall and have very small hands and was having difficulty in playing notes involving 3rd finger left hand, and all the right-hand fingering due to the stretch involved. I chose this instrument after looking at and trying out several similar ones with the extra keys. I can now manage all the fingering easily with a good range of movement and without feeling the stretch in my hands. The sound quality is excellent, the instrument is well-made, does not feel heavy to hold, and has a very pleasing streamlined, clean-cut appearance. The keys are of a flat design which I find makes them easier to use and adds a feeling of security of use.

Based on 2 reviews

This recorder plays very easily and has broken in over time and plays its upper register notes easily. It also plays its lower register notes easily. The extra keys and knick make this a very comfortable recorder to play. The keys are quiet so they don't detract from the music with "clacking" sounds. The recorder sound blends very nicely with a range of other recorders, guitars, and cellos that it has played with. Very good recorder. We really have not noticed any shortcomings or problems with this recorder. We bought a second one because we liked the first so much.

Based on 2 reviews

Great beautiful sound, excellent tuning. I have an old German Adler tenor made from pearwood, which was difficult to play in tune, and the overall pitch was always a bit too high. The Rottenburgh tenor from the rosewood has a deeper beautiful timber. The tuning is just great. The weight of the instrument is lighter and puts less strain on my thumb, which is great. The only thing to consider - the lower C is more tricky and took time to adjust the finger position. Those who have shorter finger reach should think about an option with a key. I'm currently playing in the instrument, thus did not fully explore the upper range, but the high notes respond easily. At lower range, even the cross-fingered notes like G# sound strong and bright, which surprised me, when compared with the Adler...

Based on 2 reviews

I was expecting less bright and articulated sound based on available "demo"/"review" records where this instrument sounds a bit indistinctly. I have Mollenhauer 4408 Kynseker (plum wood version) to compare. 1. Adris Dream allows more smooth control of intonation comparing to Kynserker. 2. It has a well defined and bright sound which could be as well controlled as Kynseker's sound. I would say it is more "vocal". Kynseker is better on fast complex technical pieces because it has sharper responce. With Adris Dream breath control is more crytical at higher notes which could sound not precise without diaphram support. 3. The channel at the bottom is much wider than that of Kynserker and it results in really very loud lower notes. On Kynserker it is just good but...

Based on 1 reviews

This is a wonderfully responsive cherry wood recorder. It is somewhat louder than my other tenors and has a very clear captivating tone. Its lowest notes are very strong and loud with no special technique needed. It responds to tonguing with precision and clarity. It's low G# is a little weak and its high C has to be played with authority when it's been played for a while. Most wooden recorders start having problems from condensation after a while anyway. These are not game changing note problems at all. This recorder is very responsive to breathing and tonguing techniques and is a very expressive instrument when needed. The instrument is very well made. The keys are very easy to use. The recorder could use a right hand thumb rest as it is a little heavy and will slip down if you don't...

Based on 1 reviews

This hand-made tenor recorder is expensive, but is a thing of beauty and produces an amazingly mellow tone. This tenor recorder is a professional instrument, made of stained maple and is irresistibly beautiful to behold. It is astonishingly light in the hand and is expertly constructed. It comes in three parts, which fit snugly together, and is provided with a hard case also containing some cork grease and a cleaning rod. You will need to supply your own absorbent cloth or recorder mop, and also recorder oil for periodic use. This is a perfect instrument for the tenor voice in our recorder consort. The tone is mellow but clear and it blends extremely well with the other instruments. In use, you do have to play it positively, though. It is at modern concert pitch (440 Hz) but it needs...

Based on 1 reviews

I like the full sound of pre-baroque instruments so this works well for me on that score. It's very nicely made though the fitting of the metal band could be a bit more precise. It's hard to talk about features since, in a way, there aren't any and that is what you would expect. However, I've taken a star off because many renaissance tenors have a range of an octave and a seventh whereas this one only has an octave and a sixth. In fact, it's easy enough to get B-flat above top A, though the B is harder. Response is generally very good, though bottom D is relatively weak which spoils the bottom register a little. These are fairly minor niggles though. I like the colour, and the staining is excellent, very even and includes the tone holes and the labium which looks far better than many...

Based on 1 reviews

This recorder plays all its notes very easily and that includes it's highest notes too. The workmanship is first rate and complete. Just put it together and play. Ergonomically this style of tenor with the knick and the additional G and F keys also allows the hands to be much closer to and higher up the body. This has made the lowest notes much easier to play and not hurt any of the play ability of the other notes. We already own a Kung Superio F Bass and found that Kung has tuned their recorders to play together flawlessly. It has a pleasing sound and my wife and I are very happy with this instrument. The case and accessories are top notch. This is not a curved windway instrument but that does not hurt this recorder at all. Kung has put much thought and good manufacturing into making a...

Based on 1 reviews

This is a wonderful recorder. All the notes (at least the first two octaves) speak so easily. It's great. It's not heavy. The stretch for the hands is a smidge bigger than the Aulos Robin keyless tenor (for reference). If you have small hands, this may be a touch big. I don't have huge hands, and I can play it easily, although I do feel the stretch a bit. The tone I would say is clear and pure. I expect that with maple, so I'm quite pleased. The joints were not as snug as I like, but they were not loose. The tenons themselves looked a bit thin, but if the recorder were bulkier, it would weigh more, and the weight is just right how it is. Oh, and the windway is straight. That doesn't bother me too much, but I guess I was expecting curved? Maybe I missed that in the specs? Overall,...