The instrument arrived today. Now I understand the mystique of the Stowasser. It is wonderful.
First I was very lucky. This instrument is 100 years old, and it looks all but new. The keys look like the instrument just left the factory. The wood has the odd dent, but it is in very good shape. The only thing I was concerned about was a crack in the top joint, but it has been well pinned. It plays effortlessly top to bottom.
The first thing that surprised me was the weight: it is really light. The wood is about half the thickness of the Remenyi--no wonder these things crack!
I have yet to adapt the new mpc to the Remenyi, but I can already sense the differences in playing. The Stowasser has a much more open, larger sound, and brighter. The Remenyi is dark and somewhat resistant--probably because of the small holes. I haven't yet done any bore measurements, but I guess there are some differences there as well. They are both lovely, but very different. The Remenyi is more like an English horn, the Stowasser more an oboe.
The intonation is amazingly good. Much better than I expected. The only issue was a sharp side Bb, easily corrected with a small hole insert. Second octave D is perfect, to my great surprise, because this is where so many taragotok fall into difficulties I think.
It also came in a beautiful original Stowasser case. The original mpc is worn: I am building up a chipped tip rail and will reface, and need to fill deep tooth marks. It looks like this mpc will be much darker, judging by the inside geometry. More on that to come.
Well, all I can say at this point is: if you have a chance to buy a Stowasser. Go for it. I will post some pix and sound files later.
Happy new year everyone.
First I was very lucky. This instrument is 100 years old, and it looks all but new. The keys look like the instrument just left the factory. The wood has the odd dent, but it is in very good shape. The only thing I was concerned about was a crack in the top joint, but it has been well pinned. It plays effortlessly top to bottom.
The first thing that surprised me was the weight: it is really light. The wood is about half the thickness of the Remenyi--no wonder these things crack!
I have yet to adapt the new mpc to the Remenyi, but I can already sense the differences in playing. The Stowasser has a much more open, larger sound, and brighter. The Remenyi is dark and somewhat resistant--probably because of the small holes. I haven't yet done any bore measurements, but I guess there are some differences there as well. They are both lovely, but very different. The Remenyi is more like an English horn, the Stowasser more an oboe.
The intonation is amazingly good. Much better than I expected. The only issue was a sharp side Bb, easily corrected with a small hole insert. Second octave D is perfect, to my great surprise, because this is where so many taragotok fall into difficulties I think.
It also came in a beautiful original Stowasser case. The original mpc is worn: I am building up a chipped tip rail and will reface, and need to fill deep tooth marks. It looks like this mpc will be much darker, judging by the inside geometry. More on that to come.
Well, all I can say at this point is: if you have a chance to buy a Stowasser. Go for it. I will post some pix and sound files later.
Happy new year everyone.