Renaissance Workshop Company
The foremost manufacturer of early musical instruments worldwide

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Rackett

	Finished and Kit RWC Racketts

The rackett is an instrument that was mainly used in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The name derives from the german word for "crooked". The early racketts evolved into two slightly different instruments. We now distinguish the so called renaissance and baroque racketts.

The renaissance rackett consists of nine parallel cylindrical bores through a single piece of wood or ivory, joined at the top and bottom by the end caps in an alternating manner, creating one continuous tube. There are several sizes of rackett, in a family ranging from soprano to great bass.

The instrument actually has a playing length several times its physical length. The size of the rackett is amazingly small compared to its low pitch. Since the bore diameter is relatively narrow, the sound of the rackett is soft.

The baroque rackett was built in a similar fashion, but had ten pseudo-conical bores. The pirouette was replaced by a bocal emerging from the central bore to allow the double reed to be fully exposed. The extra tubing created a lower-pitched instrument. This type of racket dates from c. 1700, and was built in one size only (bass). Many of the improvements to the rackett are attributed to the German instrument maker Johann Christoph Denner (1655–1707).

Having no less than nine parallel bores the rackett must surely be the ultimate development of multiple bored instruments. Because its unusual construction the fingering pattern is somewhat strange.

[more about the Rackett]

RWC Rackett

	Finished and Kit RWC Racketts

The rackett is one of the Renaissance Workshop Company's considered specialities and we make not one but three sizes, tenor, bass and great bass each one set up with either a cane or a plastic reed.

They are made from a single block of sycamore bored nine times and slotted at alternate ends to create a series of interconnecting bores. The whole body is turned to shape around the central bore before being sealed with linseed oil. Cork bungs fitted to the slots are sealed with wax and the ends of the instrument are covered by polished brass plates. The finished racketts are then tested for any leaks before being tuned by our experienced craftsmen.

Our Great Bass Rackett is less than 15" (43cm) high yet bottom note plays at the pitch of a pedal C organ pipe. Great Bass range: CCC - GG

Our Bass Rackett is less than 12" (35cm) high yet plays a bottom FFF below the sub contra bass recorder. Bass range: FFF - DD

Our Tenor Rackett is less than 9" (23cm) high yet plays at the same pitch as a sub contra bass recorder. Tenor range: CC - G

The price includes your choice of cane or plastic reed.

Each instrument is entirely hand built by 'in-house' experienced craftsmen to special order in our own workshops in Toledo (Spain) to the highest standard of craftsmanship. They come with 12 months warranty and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on setting up, playing and maintenance.

A fitted carrying case is available as optional extra if required.

Rackett Kit

	Finished and Kit RWC Racketts

The same range of instruments are offered in kit form for home assembly.

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on construction, setting up, playing and maintenance.

To ensure success, even for the first time builder, each kit includes:
A fully dimensioned working template to ensure that each fingerhole is drilled into the right bore, in the right place and at the right angle,
A manual with clear and concise step-by-step full assembly instructions, explaining the inner workings of a multiple bored instrument.

If you are interested in building your own rackett and unravel the mysteries of this fascinating Renaissance instrument, choose among the three sizes: Great Bass Rackett Kit with a range: CCC - GG, Bass Rackett Kit with a range of FFF - DD and Tenor Rackett Kit with a range: CC - G

The body is supplied in English sycamore with all the bores pre-drilled and slotted. All the hardware parts, drills, cork, brass end plates, cane or plastic reed, pirouette and the all important fingering chart are included. A plastic reed is supplied as standard with the option of cane upon request.

An attractive fitted hard case is available to protect the instruments above when finished.

Rackett Technical Plan

	Finished and Kit RWC Racketts

You can make the same Rackett from scratch, following detailed step-by-step instructions through the construction process in a clear and concise manner.

A fully dimensioned life-size drawing with templates and a set of photographs illustrate each stage.

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on construction, setting up, playing and maintenance.

This icon indicates that you can choose between the hard copy of the documents sent by postal mail, or the downloadable electronic files, in pdf format to your computer. In order to view and print the pdf files, you need the free 'Acrobat Reader' program installed in your computer. Life-size drawings require large printers. Electronic documents have a reduced price, don't have shipping costs, but are non-refundable.

Rackett Accessories and Spare Parts

Rackett Availability and delivery time

Not all of the items listed on our site are available immediately. Products without a reference nor a price are rarely available for quick dispatch. If you are interested in them, please contact us.

We publish standard availability, which means that this product usually ships in that time since it has been ordered. But at the specific time of your order, that interval can be longer or smaller depending on many production factors.  In addition, you still will have to wait for your product to arrive (delivery time). [More info about availability & delivery dates]

Rackett Configuration, References and Prices

			Check the offers: In April up to 25% Off
			Ref.				Price [1]
	Rackett - Tenor CC - G
	Finished Instrument
	Rackett - Tenor CC - G		F-RAT		Finished		531.02	RWC
	Kit + drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Tenor CC - G		K-RAT		Kit		221.23	RWC
	Drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Tenor CC - G		P-RAT		Plan		40.81	RWC
	Rackett - Bass FFF - DD
	Finished Instrument
	Rackett - Bass FFF - DD		F-RAB		Finished		578.68	RWC
	Kit + drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Bass FFF - DD		K-RAB		Kit		255.28	RWC
	Drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Bass FFF - DD		P-RAB		Plan		47.62	RWC
	Rackett - Great Bass CCC - GG
	Finished Instrument
	Rackett - Great Bass CCC - GG		F-RAGB		Finished		662.09	RWC
	Kit + drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Great Bass CCC - GG		K-RAGB		Kit		279.11	RWC
	Drawing + instructions + license
	Rackett - Great Bass CCC - GG		P-RAGB		Plan		52.72	RWC

Prices and Exchange rates
All published prices are exclusive of VAT and shipping costs. They are shown in RWC.
The following exchange rates are valid on April 28th, 2020. See other conditions

Exchange rates 1 RWC= 1.585 GBP 1.725 EUR 1.973 USD 210.4 JPY 2.744 CAD 3.017 AUD 1.925 CHF 144.3 RUB 13.97 CNY 35.84 ZAR 46.99 MXN

Promotions
Some temporary offers and discounts might apply: In April up to 25% Off

Ordering
For security and service quality, we need your order to be in writing and cannot take it by phone.
If you want to buy, please, fill and send the ORDER FORM. Should you have any difficulty, please contact us.

More Info
For more information about buying our products, you should consult the following pages:

Currency exchange Shipping Cost

Discounts: In April up to 25% Off VAT or Sales Taxes

Methods of Payment Customs Duties

Customer Service Availability & delivery dates

Copyright © 1999 Renaissance Workshop Company Ltd.
Last modification: 03 de mayo de 2019

Phone:(+34) 91 450 30 50