ADLER

ARIEL / ZAMIR

Plain instruments for the budget conscious. I no longer have any. Just for the record, I have resurrected a picture of two maple descant models here .

AULOS

There have been many changes to this range of plastic instruments over the years. The popular but rather strident flat bottomed 205 descant has been replaced by the 205A which will surely meet with approval from teachers and children alike. It is slightly shorter than before and just as easy to play, but much sweeter in tone. It still comes in the famous yellow bag. The keyless tenor 211A, of similar appearance to the 205A descant, replaces the old 311N. All Aulos models (except the sopranino) now come with a thumb rest. The other models listed here offer alternative characteristics for the discerning player. Where "E" appears in the model number I believe it signifies "English" (or "Baroque") fingering. Some previous instances have been removed, they were a source of confusion. A "G" signifies "German" fingering. I do not stock "German" fingered recorders at all.

The new, sweet toned, all brown 303 descant is low priced, but seems to me to be a poor thing indeed. I do not care for the tone of lowest notes of the 503B model descant. The matching sopranino, 507B-E, is good. The discontinued all black 803 descant was not at all nice.

The newer models are very similar to the previous ones, but have a concave end to the bell. I do not think that this is a significant design feature. (Except for bell stopped notes, which become nearly impossible to execute cleanly.) I have found the patent reference here...
 
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/5375498.pdf
 
It wasn't until I saw the drawings that I had any idea what they were describing. Perhaps it was lost in translation.

The 309A treble is my recommendation for adult beginners and new players who do not mind the extra cost. The reedy sounding 509 trebles had a short catalogue life.. The tone of the "B" model was smoother but it I did not care for the intonation. The last version of the straight bass with a side entry pipe, 533EE, was a noticeable improvement.

There are also two instruments after Richard Haka, descant and treble. These have very tightly focused and slightly reedy tone, and the treble a delightful attack. Both are simulated rosewood, very convincing, nice to play and hold. The latest versions of these models seem to me to play in the same way as the previous ones.

The baroque flutes are very playable.

This is a link to the 2009 catalogue in pdf format from the maker of Aulos recorders. (Historical note...You may not be able to view it in your browser unless you download Japanese character support. You can avoid this, if you wish, by right clicking the link and saving the file to your computer. It should open in Acrobat Reader without any problem or extra download.)

I have removed comments about the 'white spot' on the 500 series of Aulos recorders as the passage of time has made it irrelevant. The first 500 series all had it, and it was a convenient way of identifying these special models. I have produced a page detailing some old models here, with some comments on the various models. It now includes an image of the mysterious 'white spot'.

The UK distributor of Aulos products changed at the end of June 2012. I have added the fanciful model names now associated with Aulos recorders.

Aulos Recorders

Aulos Baroque Flutes

AURA

The Dutch factory which produces Aura recorders also produces the Coolsma and Zamra models. Dolmetsch Academy and Conservatoire models are also made there.

The low priced descant models listed below are a small part of the range. Because of serious quality contol issues I have discontinued the all plastic (Far Eastern) descant which I previously sold under the Roessler brand name. (In some regions it is branded "Angel".) It was a nice recorder of traditional Renaissance shape but good baroque performance... an economic and attractive alternative to the ubiquitous brown and ivory plastic. The plastic headed model is also now discontinued. It is slightly longer and the wooden body has the same hole spacing as the Zamra descant. This version seems to me to have a more lively and vibrant feel. There will be no more of either model. The Korean made heads became unplayable.

The Conservatorium models (obtainable to order) are of high quality and full baroque styling.

Aura

Aura/Coolsma - Accessories

CARMENA

GARY COOK

(Malvern Recorders) I am no longer an agent for these individually hand crafted instruments. Gary has moved move to the USA and I have lost contact with him. I believe that he has stopped making recorders.

I no longer hold any of his instruments. Click here for representative pictures.

COOLSMA

The tone of these is very bright and clear, and the top notes easy. The design and turning is very crisp, like the sound. These recorders score very well when checked against a tuning meter.

Coolsma 'Solo'

TIM CRANMORE

I no longer stock these.
They can be very good. You should deal with him direct.

DOLMETSCH

Early in 2010 this most famous maker of recorders and other instruments found itself unable to continue trading. It is a matter of great sadness and loss to recorder players, in England, and around the world. Arrangements were made for the continued servicing of Dolmetsch hand made recorders at Haslemere.

Part of the reworking of these web pages includes making publc some pages produced for individual purposes. You may be interested in a collection of images of old Arnold Dolmetsch Ltd recorders and a few of hand made recorders from J & M Dolmetsch.

Old Wooden Dolmetsch Recorders

I decided to restock with 'school' quality descants branded Aura rather than continue with virtually the same instruments branded 'Dolmetsch'.

Dolmetsch name lived on for a while and could be found on a range of very good factory made recorders from Holland. These were of good wood, design, finish and performance, and are voiced to suit the English taste.

The "Academy" range has relatively plain turning and the descants were in two parts. The boxwood and real Brazilian rosewood trebles were particularly nice. The "Conservatoire" range was of standard baroque shape with thumb-hole bush, sweet toned, and with easy top notes.

Dolmetsch 'Nova' Plastic Models.

A consort of brown-black and cream imported recorders with attractive features. They are light in weight, need only a relatively small finger spread, have easy top notes and well matched tone. Nice cases and the usual accessories are provided at very affordable prices. The tenor and bass are particularly good.

Please follow this link for my notes on the bag of small parts supplied with the tenors and basses.

Because of quality issues there will be no more of these. They are really gone!
(An internet search may produce them under a different 'house' brand name. Be warned, the big ones are good, but recently made examples are likely to have faults that affect their playability).

Old Dolmetsch (and EMI branded) plastic recorders.

Dolmetsch 'Academy' Model

Dolmetsch 'Conservatoire' Model

EMI

'EMI' branded recorders are no longer available. They were the same as the black ABS Dolmetsch models. The tenors have the same keys as Dolmetsch and I do have spares available. Please see the note and link just above .

HEINRICH

Heinrich recorders were made in the former East Germany but production ceased not long after re-unification.. There were many different models and some were good. There were many different bass designs. These instruments are long lived and generally serviceable. Avoid all German fingered models. The cartons often had the salesman's 'puff' of 'The World's Best Recorder' on the label. Do not fall for it!

Towards the end of the factory's life the instruments were branded 'Adler Heinrich' and there was also some production for a well known far eastern company.

HOPF

'Hopf' branded recorders are no longer available. The renaissance models are available from Kobliczek. Secondhand 'Meister' trebles are well worth considering, they have an unusally small stretch for the right hand. See Kobliczek for the metal recorders.

KENT

The distributor for this range of very inexpensive plastic instruments from Korea has ceased trading.

I had serious reservations about the musical quality of the small sizes in brown and cream plastic, particularly the cheapest models, which mimicked Aulos. However, the brown/white tenor and bass played well and were excellent value. These two sizes became available under the Dolmetsch "Nova" name .

Surprisingly, a translucent blue descant for £4.99 was very good. It is easy to play and has good tone and intonation. Unfortunately, they are no longer available but I have left this entry just to demonstrate that coloured and 'cheap' does not always equate to 'rubbish'. You may be able to find it on-line with a different name.

KOBLICZEK

The recorders are good and come in many pitches and designs. The best known range are wide bore and uniquely for this type play the full two octave range. Two shapes are available, "Renaissance" and "Praetorius". The "Praetorius" are the more ornate and more popular. The bass now has an authentic style key for hole IV. Zapatero boxwood is also available.

Two shapes of baroque recorder are produced, 'Studium' and 'Meister'. The 'Studium' is smoothly curved in a plain but slightly modernistic style, while the 'Meister' is ornate, with spherical bulges, based on an un-named French recorder. The olive wood 'Studium' sopranino is particularly good. The 'Studium' and 'Meister@ maple descants are sweet and have very easy top notes. They are pitched a little higher than most wooden descants. This makes them an attractive proposition for use in an ensemble dominated by plastic recorders (especially those from Yamaha).

There have been also brilliant recorders for buskers and folk groups. The 'Silberton' also sold as 'Gruber System' is of all heavily silver plated brass, descant, and sopranino, while the treble has a wooden body and keys for F/F#. These instruments have a wide parallel bore and something of the sound of a flute. The unusual moveable windway enables one to vary the voicing and produce husky "ethnic" effects, which "mic up" well. The source these days is probably through the internet. Key your requirements into a search engine and see what you can find. The 'Concerto' had a wide bore and thin wall giving it a robust but not coarse tone well liked by folk musicians.

Kobliczek 'Studium'

Kobliczek 'Meister'

Kobliczek 'Renaissance'

Kobliczek 'Praetorius'

Kobliczek 'Concerto'

Silberton

used

KUNG

Kung recorders are so well known to regular players that they need little introduction. It will serve well to quote from their catalogue:-

"All our instruments are finished by hand and played to check sound and tuning.

"Our instruments are fashioned from one piece of wood, thus ensuring a uniform structure and grain; they are never assembled from various pieces, except the instruments in grenadilla and sub-bass recorders."

'Studio'. This is a very attractive style, derived from the usual shape of a baroque instrument, but simplified and refined. The tone production favours the low and middle range though the highest notes are not difficult. The tone is full, and needs a good stream of air. They are not for soloists, but excellent for group players as the sound blends so well. The keyless tenor is a delight and fits the hand easily.

'Superio'. An historical range, with curved windway, naturally finished. These models have a refined, rich tone and attractive baroque styling to the instrument and keys. The extra expense is amply justified by the very high quality which is evident in their materials and performance.

'Classica'. Franz Kung's original design was available in all sizes. Sadly, it has been phased out. Tastes change.

The sopraninos of this range were very popular, easy to play and not too small for an adult's hand. The tenors are well liked too. Although they take quite a lot of air they blend well and are easy to keep up to pitch. The handsome almost 'architectural' sub-bass and great bass support large ensembles the world over and will doubtless continue to do so for generations to come.

The No.3407 grenadilla treble was particularly good, having a very strong and brilliant tone. Its more open voicing made it more suitable for brilliant modern works and avant garde techniques.

Kung documentation is more comprehensive than many and I have copied their instruction sheet to .pdf files. You may click for multilingual instructions or fingering . The instructions are those of Kung. Please do not draw me into a discussion over differences between them and those which appear in my care section. We have both written what we have written.

Kung 'Studio'

Kung 'Superio'

Kung 'Classica'

See the note above.

MOECK

Moeck recorders are, like any other, made to be played, but the Moeck recorder is at its best when played to be heard. They are not for the timid.

Moeck keywork has been revised. It is a very great improvement. Recorders have always tended to suffer from unsatisfactory keys but the new Moeck keywork is very different from previous designs. At last, lessons learned a hundred years ago by clarinet and other woodwind instrument makers have been applied to the recorder, with excellent results.

For the beginner Moeck produce the wooden 'School' model and the 'Flauto I', which looks like wood, but is in fact, plastic. The 'Flauto I' has an interesting tone which is vibrant and husky. The sort of sound you might expect from a wooden instrument if you didn't know better. They are very popular with folk musicians. There is also the 'Flauto I Plus' with a plastic head and wooden body. This has a sweeter sound.

The 'Flauto Rondo" ensemble recorders has been developed from the original 'Tuju' model. This is a good general purpose model, ideal as a first wooden recorder. Their ancestry goes back through a bell-less 'Flauto Leggero' model. These recorders are vibrant, slim bodied and light in weight. Their finish is usually natural, clear varnished, but they can come with a mid brown translucent varnish. Small 'Rondo' recorders are supplied in black lightweight fabric wallets.

For the advanced player there is the 'Rottenburgh' range designed by Friedrich von Huene, who founded a notable workshop in America, and has trained many of the new makers of fine recorders. Various woods are used, each having its own particular sound and feel, palisander (rosewood) and black, ebony/grenadilla are the most popular. (Only the terminology has changed, the palisander is red/brown and the same timber as has been used for the past fifteen years or so. It is finished with a red/brown translucent varnish. Grenadilla has replaced the ebony models, which have not been varnished for some time.) The maple is usually natural but may be dark (as above). The pearwood has a clear, or alternatively, a dark translucent varnish.

The trebles modeled on originals by Thomas Stanesby are beautiful and likely to find favour with players who require an mature instrument (especially at A=415), for solo and trio sonatas and similar mixed ensemble baroque music. (Colour leaflet available.)

Besides the baroque recorders there are the renaissance models, wide bore and with a loud and pungent tone, very suitable for dance music. Their compass is limited to a twelfth. There are also 'Kynseker style descants and trebles in plumwood. Their tone is beautifully even and sweet, with just a touch of bite and reediness.

All Moeck recorders come in nice cases. The hard cases that replaced some of the cloth or leather wallets supplied with smaller Rottenburgh models have been discontinued. Smaller Rottenburgh models are now supplied in a zip fastened case. Current production now has gold plated keys rather than the previously unplated nickle silver.

Moeck 'Flauto I' and 'Flauto I Plus'

Moeck 'School'

Moeck 'Flauto Leggero'

Moeck 'Flauto Rondo'

Moeck 'Rottenburgh'

Moeck 'Renaissance'

This range has been replaced by the 'Renaissance Consort' at about twice former the price. The first batch featured original fingering and mean tone temperament, which is still available, but there are now other options.

Moeck 'Kynseker'

Moeck 'Stanesby'

MOLLENHAUER

Mollenhauer produce a very wide range of recorders, some innovative. The quality of their recorders improved greatly following the influence of Fred Morgan.

For the beginner the 'Swing' and 'Prima' model descants are a good choice. They are clear toned and easy to play, with a delicately shaped beak. The new black model Swing descant is set to be the standard colour way. The 'Student' descant is very similar to the old 'Chorus' model, but slightly more plain in styling. The sound is well rounded. The 'Canta' models are beautifully styled and have a clear, brighter tone than the traditional Mollenhauer production. The treble is a real winner!

The 'Denner' range is of traditional baroque design and tone, similar to Moeck's 'Rottenburg' range. The new style descants are very elegant in tone and appearance. The voicing of the trebles has been revised so that they are more sweet and even toned, with very good top notes. The tenors have a impressive rich full tone.

The 'Kynseker' models retain a quirk of the original fingering, (F# on the C and B on the F instruments need the little finger in both registers). This is no great problem and they play well, over the two octaves. (There was some production of this model with standard fingering.)

The 'Dream' models inspired by Adriana Breukink are unlike any other recorder. They have a renaissance profile and come in a natural wood finish as well as dull red and dusky blue. (I have changed my original description so as to reflect the colour of the instruments supplied rather than those illustrated in the brochure.) They have now been joined by all plastic and plastic headed soprano models. (See below.) The bore is unusual and gives a robust sound similar to a renaissance instrument, but there is no restriction of compass. This is a fun recorder, great for children and theatrical performance. Both double hole and single hole versions are available. (I have decided not to stock the coloured single hole versions, but a special orders are not a problem.) These sound more like renaissance models, but they have the standard full range. These recorders are generally well liked by folk musicians.

Following the untimely death of the Australian maker Fred Morgan there was an increasing degree of collaboration between the two workshops. The new shape Denner range was the first in which this was really evident but there was Morgan influence on the earlier Denner models before the collaboration was made public at the 2002 Frankfurt Musik Messe. In 2012 the Denner treble design was revised and the 'New Model' appeared. The difference resulting from the slightly increased length and bore diameter is not great but the sound is slightly warmer, with more body.

Most Mollenhauer recorders are supplied in unusual and practical zippered soft cases of padded fabric, or leather. The largest sizes (and some smaller ones) are supplied in deluxe hard cases.

Mollenhauer 'Adri's Dream Recorder'

The tone of these recorders gets progressively more individual as the instrument acquires wooden parts. The all plastic version does not stand out unduly compared to the usual run of better plastic instruments. The plastic heads are thinned at the windway and encourage a good lip position. Wooden parts are available to special order so the models with plastic parts may be converted to all wood. (Please enquire for prices.)

Mollenhauer 'Swing'

Mollenhauer 'Prima'

Mollenhauer 'Student'

Mollenhauer 'Canta'

Mollenhauer 'Chorus'

Mollenhauer 'Denner'

A typical Mollenhauer case is illustrated here...

Mollenhauer 'Kynseker'

The Recorder - Based on Historical Models
Fred Morgan - Writings and Memoirs

PAETZOLD

The first square section great bass and sub-bass recorders came from the workshop of Herbert Paetzold. These have a strange appearance (I know one named Frankenstein!) but they work well. The air column is folded in a way that organists will recognise. This results in a relatively compact instrument, without detriment to the tone.

ROESSLER

Update, September 2005. Please see the article in Windkanal 2/2005. The firm has been sold to Mollenhauer who will finish some part made instruments and offer maintenance support. There is a possibility that the name will reappear.

'School'. These were basic, but generally well made with plain styling from pearwood. The instruments were also sold in the UK under the "Chester" name.

'Dulcia'. These were maple and very smooth in shape, similar the the old Moeck 'Tuju' model but with even fewer turned features. Brass rings at the sockets. Rather nice but long discontinued.

'Meister'. This is Roessler's own design of high quality general purpose instrument. They came in many woods. Their sound is darker than most recorders, with a slightly nasal quality, much more direct and less winsome than the tone of a Moeck. The appearance is smoothly modernised baroque and the hardwood instruments are only polished, not varnished. All the basses have a double key for F/F#. The bass has a shorter head than any other and plays like a big treble, Telemann sonatas are quite playable, especially the one in f-minor (originally suggested for bassoon) it was deservedly very popular.

'Oberlender'. The historic model from Roessler. The sound is dark and even, right up to the highest notes. These are lovely, distinctive instruments.

SCHOTT & Co.

This is a name that has disappeared from the instrument side of the recorder world. In the past they have supplied instruments with the Schott brand in various qualities and distributed Zen-On and Mollenhauer models.

In the UK Schott were at the forefront of the recorder revival in the 1940's. You will find the dreadful kitemarked beech descants in junk shops and charity (thrift) shops everywhere. There are at least two bakelite descant models, not very good, but collectable out of historical interest in the material. I have acquired some of these instruments, click here to see them.

Many of the DDR produced Schott 'Concert' and 'Prelude' models are still about. The pearwood 'Concert' range was fairly good in its day but only the tenors and basses are worth bothering with now .

Some tenors have a metalised plastic key. These break and are not repairable or economically replaceable. The maple Prelude range, with metal keys, was rather better.

WILLMAN

John Willman made many types of early musical instruments. For a long time he was based in Bath. There will be no more but you can view one of his Bressan style boxwood trebles here .

YAMAHA

Yamaha produce an amazing range of recorders. They cover everything from cheap plastic school recorders to a very expensive authentic A=415Hz Denner copy. It is my feeling that the smaller plastic instruments are rather sharp, and should be pulled out, as I like to feel a bit more resistance to my breath. The plastic tenor and bass put many older wooden instruments to shame but the sopraninos are relatively poor, those from Aulos being very much better.

Yamaha models are widely copied, not always with good results. Quality control is very important. Even Yamaha can produce instruments that do not play well. If you have a problem you may find an answer on this page .

Yamaha 20 Translucent plastic. Shocking pink, green or blue! Better than the YRS24.

Yamaha 24, 28, cheap, but well produced, 'chorus' type tone, not for strong blowers. Here is a picture of the unusual white treble .

Yamaha 300 Series, once advertised as being 'Rottenburgh', (I can't think why, can you?). Baroque styled instruments. The simulated wood versions, are more expensive, but worth the extra because of the feel. I prefer the very convincing rosewood version, the ebony has prominent light streaks. The new wood finish trebles are different from the immediately previous production and much better. I should point out that the beauty is but skin deep and wears away with diligent practice. (Perhaps this could start a fashion among students, a bit like frayed jeans!). The tenor now has keys for low C/C#. The descants and trebles need pulling out. The latest models proudly display the famous Yamaha tuning fork trademark. The new cases are different, made of fabric rather than vinyl. The tenor and bass are very good.

Yamaha 43, maple instruments, varnish finished. These instruments are no longer produced.

Yamaha 61, 62, 64, Middle priced instruments of considerable appeal. They have very even tone, perhaps a bit too even, and are nice recorders which work very well. The trebles are a bit weak at the bottom for some players, who are troubled by "burbles", but this does not happen with the descants. The maple large recorders are a separate stream and very good. They are light in weight and have a beautiful, focused 'flutey' tone. The Gt.Bass is superb, of handsome appearance, with fully chromatic keys and very agile and secure tone production. The profile is like the Bressan bass at Chester, with the globular bell and a choice of hollow pegs for playing while sitting or standing.

Yamaha 82, 83. These are a different design again. Yamaha like to change the design with the material. These are real recorders in the best authentic style. They are not puffed up modern instruments but feel right for baroque music. To me, these have the nearest feel in a modern pitch instrument to that of a baroque pitch instrument. I like it very much.

If ordering by reference number note that the third letter is critical, even Yamaha themselves get confused by this! The 'B' at the very end indicates 'Baroque' as opposed to 'German' fingering. (See the glossary page .) I will have nothing to do with 'German' fingered instruments.

Yamaha YRF 21 If you fancy trying the sideways sort of flute, the Yamaha fife is just the thing. It plays very like a descant recorder, and the fingering is, where different, like the modern Boehm flute. Of course there are a few snags, but at the price one can't complain. It is very playable and musical when you know how, and a good introduction to this sort of instrument.

Yamaha (plastic) Repairs

Plastic keys are fairly easily broken but spares (including pads) may be obtained from a Yamaha dealer. They will probably be 'special order' items and some are surprisingly expensive. Springs, however are generic. They are inexpensive and dealers with workshops are likely to have suitable items in stock. If you are 'handy' by nature it is not difficult to replace them yourself. I have made a page on the subject that you can access by following this link .

Yamaha Fife

Click here for an extended comment on this instrument.

This fife is readily available from Yamaha dealers and the book is published by Just Flutes.

I have left the reference and my comments about fife on my site as there is very little information about this product available and it is not well understood. I was pleased and flattered to receive a 'thank you' from Yamaha Canada for providing information that enabled them to answer questions raised by one of their clients.

Yamaha Hardwood

ZAMIR/ARIEL

Plain instruments for the budget conscious. The production of these recorders has ceased. I no longer have any. Just for the record, I have resurrected a picture of two maple descant models here .

ZAMRA

This budget range comes from from Holland. Maple wood (only) and simple but attractive styling combined with a clear, sweet tone make this a welcome addition to my catalogue. As with all my recorders, they are checked for tone and intonation. At the moment I am adjusting the trebles to bring them up to my standard. The tenors are very popular and good value.

Zamra

ZEN-ON

Zen-On distribution changed and they became unavailable in the UK.

The high quality plastic recorders have a following in spite of their relatively high price. They are made in Japan and modelled on named originals. Their tone is true and suitable for the serious student. The simulated wood models are good value and convincing. The big wooden instruments are quite light and blend well in an ensemble.

A treble (alto) in plastic at A=415 has now been intoduced.

Zen-On wooden recorders are unusual but of good quality.
I have resurrected a picture of a bass here .

ONE HANDED RECORDERS

Those made by Zen-On are no longer available. There is a Dolmetsch design based on the "Academy" model, for wooden descants and trebles. Mollenhauer also produce wooden instruments of this sort. The mechanism is differently organised.

One handed recorders to the Dolmetsch design are made by Peter Worrell.

These are very expensive items on account of their individuality and the amount of skilled work needed to produce them.

SPECIAL RECORDERS
FOR
PROBLEM HANDS

I have plastic descant and treble recorders for those with unusual hands. Aulos have produced instruments in which the angular position of each hole may be set by the owner to accommodate short or missing fingers. It may be played either hand at the top and plugs are provided to block holes which cannot be reached. A very comprehensive guide is provided and the loss of some fingers is not the bar to playing that it seems at first. It is possible to play with only six digits. Click here to view a pdf copy of the descant setting up instructions. This instrument makes recorder playing possible for many who have thought it beyond their physical capability.

Only the lower hand of the treble version has the holes on separate parts. Full details of the treble model are here . There are three versions of the treble. I have the 'English' one in stock. There is a rubber ring around the bell of the trebles. Its use is not explained but when I tried one out I found myself resting the end of the recorder on my desk. Query answered! The 'German' trebles are playable with one less finger than is usual and come in 'right handed' and 'left handed' versions.

Contact me if you would like to try either on approval.