Fort Worth, Texas / China
Bandwagon Music Store & Repair

Metal – Silver plated
ca. 2011
Length: 9 ft.
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Flutes

Engraved: Orion / OCF – 911

The contrabass flute in C (48.8mm inner bore) first appeared in 1988 made by Kotato & Fukushima when displayed at the 1988 Flute Convention in San Diego, USA.  Known for its deep, resonant sound, it gained popularity in the 1990s with flute ensembles and performers like Christine Potter. 

With approximately 9 feet of tubing, the contrabass flute in C speaks one octave below the bass flute or two octaves below the standard flute.  Due to its size, it is held vertical with a straight body (however identified as a side-blown flute).  At the top it extends downward, then horizontal with a J-shaped (curved) head joint.

The contrabass flute is typically found in flute ensembles, or solo and chamber music and is only available from select flute makers.  Contrabass flutes have also been made from PVC pipe by the Dutch flute maker Jelle Hogenhuis.

Resources: https://cafeflutes.com/contra1/ https://www.kotatoandfukushima.com/kotato-fukushima-biography