Unusual Blocks

Moeck Two Part Block

This is a two piece block from an old Moeck 'Rottenburgh' treble.

The two parts are glued together with the grain at 90° to each other. A standard single piece block has the grain running the same way as in the inner part of this composite block.

Here is a view of the lower end.

This form of block was not made for very long. There are, as far as I am aware, no historical precedents. I don't think there are any advantages. It must have added significantly to manufacturing costs.

Moeck Porous Block

This is another form of block that did not last for very long. It absorbs moisture and was supposed to stop condensation problems. However, the white material is prone to disintegration. A conventional new block will breathe new life into recorder fitted with one of these. (Only ever seen in a treble model.)

You can just see where this block has been split and wedged to raise the surface that forms the windway floor or correct a loose fitting block. It is a standard technique that saves the trouble of producing a completly new block.

Block with a Lip.

Here is a block with an undercut to produce something like a lip. I found it in an old Arnold Dolmetsch treble but I have no idea if the undercut was produced in the workshop or by somebody experimenting afterwards. The recorder played well and was otherwise unremarkable.