I am very entertained to learn that if the first recorder you ever pick up happens to be a great bass, Hugh Gorton has you sorted!
You made me laugh out loud, Largissimo. Hugh Gorton perhaps subscribes to the philosophy ‘if you build it, they will come’ in offering beginners the possibly unique opportunity to start on great bass! Maybe its a great (sorry!) idea – I’m assuming those great basses are at least quiet.