Küng 2603 Superio Bass Recorder

This instrument is well made and finished, and comes with a strong, well appointed case which protects it very well.
The supplied floor spike is well designed, complements the cherry wood body, is easily fitted and removed, and the instrument can be played either with it, or with the supplied neck strap.
The sound produced is full and suits both solo and ensemble playing.The response is good in all registers with a little care being needed using the thumb-hole in the upper octave. The key work functions well and is comfortable in use.
The instrument is not cheap but "you get what you pay for".

The Kung Superio Bass in Cherrywood is outstanding. I have owned and played five other bass recorders, and the Kung is by far the best instrument to play. The first thing you notice (I still notice it each time I pick it up after a full month of playing) is the strength of the sound. The other players in our group commented on this immediately also. Deep, resonant notes with a woody and robust tone. The lowest notes are striking, the F, F# and G are the strongest and loudest I have ever heard. G# is the poorest note on the recorder, as it is on every recorder; it is a weaker sound but it’s playable and responds readily. C# is another note which isn’t as bright, but it’s still good. B natural (soft on some recorders) is terrific. From then on the notes are strong, bright and clear right through two octaves up to F, F#, G, Ab - all of which are amazingly good. I was hesitant to buy a Knick Bass, as I don’t really like the look and prefer the traditional bocal and ornately turned head joint. But such reservations disappeared immediately: the direct blow is so much quicker in articulation and in speaking, and vibrato seems much more precise. The Leather Case is superb. I also particularly wanted a floor spike, and may have had one fitted had I bought a different brand. The Kung floor spike is great. The workmanship and finish are excellent, the only thing I’ve had to do is sand away some cork as the joints were dangerously tight. All in all it is a superb instrument.

A follow up review at two months: I followed the Kung playing-in guidelines carefully, and after about 6 weeks of play I oiled the bass recorder and applied anticondense prior to a concert performance. Prior to oiling the bass I was very happy indeed, as per my comments above, but careful oiling and the antidcondense made an astonishing improvement. All the weaker notes that I mentioned above improved, and the top F became a very clear note. This is an amazing bass recorder.

I am so impressed with this Küng bass recorder. I use it for both consort and solo playing and it does both superbly; it blends well with other players and also projects in the way that I want it to when playing solo contemporary music.

If I have a negative point to make it's that the high D and C# do take some blowing in and you may occasionally need to use an alternative fingering if you are starting a phrase on that note. It is however, getting much better.

Superb price and instrument!