SAUNDERS RECORDERS
BRISTOL ENGLAND
john@saundersrecorders.com
Orders by telephone, email, or post, welcome. Please click this link for details.
Goods normally dispatched
within 24 hours.
Please click here to see the contents list for this page.
Please see the News page for details of the changes to the business.
My stock of most products will not be replenished.
Please be sure to refresh your browser.
The business proprietor is John Everingham F.T.C.L.
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SAUNDERS RECORDERS stocked a range of
good and better quality recorders. Both wooden recorders and plastic recorders feature in this list. I tried not to adopt an elitist stance, but there was no rubbish. It can be difficult to choose between a wood recorder and a plastic recorder at the lower end of the price range and I believe that the better recorders made of plastic are preferable to many recorders made of wood.
I stocked very
musical and playable recorders from around ten to more than a
thousand pounds. They are listed by manufacturer. I am no longer buying in new stock. My listings have proved to be a popular resource and they will remain on line for the time being. Only existing stock items are priced. They are discounted and when they are gone they are gone.
All the recorders listed are baroque fingered models. 'German' fingering is not used in the UK. (Thank goodness!) They are all supplied in some sort of bag or case. The most expensive recorders come in better quality cases or wallets. They play at 'Concert Pitch' (A=440) except where otherwise specified. (Some makers work to A=442. The difference is not very significant but it can be helpful.)
These pages are the result of adapting the paper price list, with comments, that had always been a feature of this business. Gradually the influence of the web has taken over and the features extended. I have taken a lot of trouble to keep everything printer friendly. Indeed, if you really want a paper version of any of the pages I am able to produce one and mail it to you. When the business was young there was no internet or home computer let alone a 'smart phone'. How different things are now! I do not think of myself as running an 'internet business', and I will continue to be available, in person. The service relies on my personal expertise and experience and you may visit me by appointment. Please do not overlook the music pages. My music stock has now been transferred to Recorder Music Mail who will be very happy to supply you.
Tax. The business is no longer registered for VAT. Where 'exVAT' price appears this is the price that applies. VAT inclusive prices have been flagged 'V' and are subject to a 16.7% reduction. (More work needed.) The pdf stock list has been updated to show all tax free prices. (Easy, just a few clicks. All the other pages have to be reworked manually!)
Items with no price are not in stock.
In response to requests for recommended models I introduced a cute little icon against my preferred models. (Click the icon for more information.) I have only done this for recorders at the lower end of the price range (plastic and wood). They are my personal choice and you can find out more by reading my choice notes. A new feature is the green 'smiley' that marks models that I think are better suited the needs of folk music.
A few recorders that now have a green smiley, on the right, did not qualify for a yellow smiley because of their price.
Many of the less expensive wooden recorders are available with single holes for the lowest notes. I have chosen not to stock them and they are not mentioned in the list. All cheaper wooden descant recorders are made in two pieces only, most plastic descants are made in three. I do not regard the difference as significant. The moveable bottom joint should never be turned to facilitate 'left handed' playing. The price at which wooden descants start to be made with a separate foot joint is about £100. If you find a new instrument with a separate foot joint for significantly less you are likely to be very dissatisfied with the tone and finish.
There are hyperlinks in the list which will produce images of the recorders, , and mp3 sound files, . If you would like to see what audio is available click here. Please explore the site fully, and do not ignore "Other Topics". There is a wealth of material on the "Information and Advice" page.
If you click on the page of data (the right hand side of your screen if there is a left hand menu) and then hit Ctrl F your browser should bring up a search box for that page.
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ADLER
The production of Adler recorders has ceased. I no longer have any.
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ARIEL / ZAMIR
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.
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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 like the tone of lowest notes of the new 503B model descant.
The matching sopranino,
507B-E, is good. The all
black 803 descant was not at all nice and is
discontinued.
The new 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. I
no longer have any of the reedy sounding 509E treble. The tone of the "B" model is
smoother but it I do not care for the intonation. The
latest version of the straight bass, 533EE, is 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. You will 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.
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Aulos Recorders |
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501S |
garklein 'Symphony'  I refuse to list this as a 'Kleine Sopranino', the Aulos description. The fingering for this model has some surprises and I have prepared a pdf version of the chart provided by Aulos here.
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£27.29 In Stock. |
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207 |
sopranino nla (all gone) |
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507B-E |
sopranino 'Symphony' |
£15.42 In Stock |
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303A |
descant 'Elite' (blue bag) all brown. |
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103N |
descant 'Alouette' One piece, single holes, fixed thumb rest, brown and ivory. This unusual model has a very good sound and deserves to be popular. |
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205A |
descant 'Robin' (yellow bag)  |
£11.63
In Stock |
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503B |
descant 'Symphony' |
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703BW |
descant 'Haka' model rosewood finish.  |
£30.83 In Stock
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204AF |
Special descant, for unusual hands, see note. |
£17.00 In Stock |
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209B |
treble 'Robin' |
£17.46 In Stock |
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309A |
treble 'Bel Canto' |
£26.88 In Stock |
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509B |
treble 'Symphony' |
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709BW |
treble 'Haka' model rosewood finish.  |
£46.25 In Stock
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309AF |
Special treble, for unusual hands, see note. |
£26.88 In Stock |
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211A |
tenor 'Robin' (keyless). |
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511BE |
tenor 'Symphony' with keys for C & C#.
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521E |
knick bass 'Symphony' F/F#. |
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533B |
bass 'Symphony' F/F#, (Top entry mouth pipe.) |
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533EE |
bass F/F#, (Fat mouth pipe.) (Listed for information only.)
Discontinued. |
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1683B |
direct blow cap for bass. Discontinued. |
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1678L |
beak for pipe blown bass.
See also here.
Pipes continue to be a problem and I have managed to modify an old cap so that it takes the current pipe.
Click here if you would like to see a pdf showing what is involved. If you cannot do it yourself, I may be able to do it for you. |
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DTR |
clip-on thumb rest, for descant |
£1.00 In Stock |
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ATR |
clip-on thumb rest, for treble |
£1.50 In Stock |
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TTR |
clip-on thumb rest, for tenor |
£2.00 In Stock |
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Some spare parts are available (not 'silver' tenor keys). New spares for long discontinued models are not obtainable but I may have something in my box of bits and pieces. |
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Aulos Baroque Flutes
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AF1 |
'Grenser' A440, gloss finish, black/ivory. Special order item. Reintroduced, now with black emboucher hole surround. (As AF2 in above image.) |
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AF2 |
'Grenser' A440, matt finish, black/ivory. No longer made. (You may be able to get one of these from another dealer.) |
NLA |
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AF3 |
'Stanesby' A415, matt ivory/white metal. Now supplied in wallet. Special order item. |
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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 distiscontinued. 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 are no longer any good.
The Conservatorium models (obtainable to order) are of high quality and full baroque styling.
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Aura |
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BS3B |
pearwood. Unvarnished, oil finish, 'O-ring' joint. Plastic case. 'School' |
descant |
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BS1 |
pearwood. Varnished, with cork joint and zippered fabric case with handle. 'Studie' |
descant |
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Aura/Coolsma - Accessories |
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Thumb rest, various woods. |
A / T |
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CARMENA
All gone. No longer available. |
GARY COOK
(Malvern Recorders) I am no longer an agent for these individually hand
crafted instruments. Gary has had to move to the USA and it will be some time before he is back in production.
If you need almost anything special in
the recorder field he can probably make it for you, and it
will be good. Gary is expert at design as well as construction and probably more able than any other maker to produce unusal pitches or other "one offs".
I no longer hold any of his instruments.
Click here for representative pictures.
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TIM CRANMORE |
I no longer stock these. They can be very good.
Tim has a waiting list. 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 are in place for the continued servicing of Dolmetsch hand made recorders at Haslemere.
I decided to restock with 'school' quality descants branded Aura rather than continue with virtually the same instruments branded 'Dolmetsch'.
However, the Dolmetsch name lives on and can still be found on
a range of very good factory made recorders from Holland. These are 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 are in two parts. The boxwood and real
Brazilian rosewood trebles are particularly nice. The
"Conservatoire" range is of standard baroque shape with
thumb-hole bush, sweet toned, and with easy top notes.
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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.
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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). |
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DN2110 |
sopranino (three piece). |
NLA |
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DS2120 |
descant (three piece). |
NLA |
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DA2130 |
treble. |
NLA |
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DT2140 (N301) |
tenor, two keys C/C#, thumb rest & strap. |
NLA |
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DT2140N (N301K) |
knick tenor, two keys C/C#, thumb rest & strap. |
NLA |
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DB2150 |
knick bass, four keys F/F#, thumb rest & strap. |
NLA |
Old Dolmetsch (and EMI branded) plastic recorders. |
For information on old model Dolmetsch plastic (ABS) recorders please click here.
I have spare C and C# key parts for the old ABS plastic tenors. Check this link. Please contact john@saundersrecorders.com letting me know what you need. |
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Dolmetsch 'Academy' Model
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6122 |
boxwood, 2 part |
descant |
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6124 |
rosewood (palisander), 2 part |
descant |
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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.
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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. Towards the end of the factory's life the instruments were branded 'Adler Heinrich' and there was some production for a well known far eastern company. The cartons often had the salesman's 'puff' of 'The World's Best Recorder' on the label. Do not fall for it!
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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.
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KENT
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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 are now 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 'cheap' does not always equate to 'rubbish'. You may be able to find it on-line with a different name. |
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KCR-BL |
Blue, clear plastic.  |
descant |
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KOBLICZEK
 Koblicek Maker's Mark. |
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' |
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KOB148 |
olive wood (in bag) (two piece) |
sopranino |
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KOB152 |
maple (in bag) (two piece) |
descant |
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Kobliczek 'Meister' |
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KOB554 |
palisander (three piece) |
descant |
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Kobliczek 'Renaissance' |
The very plain, straight ones, prices as "Praetorius" models. |
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Kobliczek 'Praetorius' |
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KOB752 |
maple 
Link to PDF fingering Chart. |
garklein |
£166.63 In Stock |
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KOB754 |
maple
Link to PDF fingering Chart |
sopranino "diskant" |
£181.21 In Stock |
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KOB756 |
maple, dark stained |
descant "sopran" |
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KOB762 |
maple, dark stained. |
treble in F |
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Kobliczek 'Concerto'
No longer available. |
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SilbertonCylindrical Metal Recorders, occasionally available second-hand.

Please check my used list.
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KUNG
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These fine instruments,
produced in Switzerland, 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. If you have difficulty in viewing them in your browser, right click and download them for viewing with Acrobat Reader. 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.
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Kung 'Studio' |
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KNG1101 |
pear wood  |
garklein |
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KNG1201 |
pear wood, two part |
sopranino |
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KNG1203 |
cherry wood, two part |
sopranino |
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KNG1301 |
pearwood, two part |
descant |
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KNG1311 |
stained pearwood, two part |
descant |
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KNG1303 |
cherry wood, two part |
descant |
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KNG1901 |
'Folklora' Bb descant, pearwood, two part |
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(Equivalent to A=392.) A rich new sound. This recorder can be played from clarinet parts. Click here for notes on transposing instruments. |
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KNG1401 |
pearwood |
treble |
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KNG1411 |
stained pearwood |
treble |
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KNG1403 |
cherry wood |
treble |
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KNG1501 |
pearwood, keyless |
tenor |
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KNG1503 |
cherry wood, keyless  |
tenor |
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KNG1581 |
pearwood, keyless |
knick tenor |
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Kung 'Superio' |
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KNG2207 |
grenadilla, two part. |
sopranino |
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KNG2301 |
pearwood, two part |
descant |
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KNG2304 |
plum wood, two part  |
descant |
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KNG2306 |
palisander, two part |
descant |
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KNG2401 |
pearwood |
treble |
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KNG2404 |
plum wood |
treble |
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KNG2406 |
palisander |
treble |
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KNG2603 |
cherry F/F# |
knick bass |
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KNG2722 |
maple, stained C/C# |
knick great bass |
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KNG9722 |
End pin (support) |
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Kung 'Classica' See the note above. |
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The mouth pipes for early 'Classica' basses and great basses have an unusual feature that can give trouble. Click here for a pdf help page on the subject.
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MOECK |
These are
perhaps the most widely used wooden recorders, they come
from the factory founded by Dr.Hermann Moeck at Celle, near
Hanover, in Germany. The range covers most needs, and other
early musical instruments are also made. 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. The Moeck baroque recorders have a
unique bloom to their sound, which gives them great appeal.
This, coupled with a good standard of workmanship, makes
them very successful.
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. They have 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.
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Moeck 'Flauto I' and 'Flauto I Plus' |
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MOE1021  |
plastic, light, (dark nla) 2 part |
descant |
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MOE1023  |
wood body, plastic head, 2 part |
descant |
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Moeck 'School' |
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MOE1210 |
maple 2 part |
descant |
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MOE1212 |
pearwood, 2 part  |
descant |
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MOE1213 |
pearwood, 2 part  dark finish. |
descant |
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Moeck 'Flauto Rondo' |
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MOE2100 |
maple (double holes) 2 part. |
sopranino |
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MOE2200 |
maple, 2 part.  |
descant |
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MOE2201 |
maple (stained) 2 part.  |
descant |
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MOE2302 |
pearwood, new shape. |
treble |
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MOE2400 |
maple, keyless. |
tenor |
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MOE2420 |
maple two keys (C/C# foot) |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE2440 |
maple two keys (C/C# foot) knick |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOE2520 |
maple, F/F# foot |
bass |
|
 |
MOE2540 |
maple, knick style, as above. |
bass |
|
|
 |
MOE2620 |
sycamore (D#, C/C# foot) |
Gt. bass in C |
|
|
 |
Moeck 'Rottenburgh'
|
 |
MOE4100 |
maple, 2 part |
sopranino |
|
 |
MOE4104 |
boxwood, 2 part |
sopranino |
|
 |
MOE4105 |
palisander (rosewood), 2 part |
sopranino |
|
 |
MOE4107 |
ebony, 2 part |
sopranino |
|
|
 |
MOE4290 |
maple, 2 part |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4200 |
maple, 3 part
Special order item. |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4202 |
pearwood (natural)  |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4203 |
pearwood (dark finish) |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4204 |
castello-boxwood |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4205 |
palisander (rosewood)  |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4207 |
ebony/grenadilla |
descant |
|
 |
MOE4208 |
rosewood (tulip wood)  |
descant |
|
 |
|
 |
MOE4300 |
maple |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4302 |
pearwood (natural) |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4303 |
pearwood (dark finish)
|
treble |
|
 |
MOE4304 |
Castello-boxwood  |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4305 |
palisander (rosewood)  |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4307 |
ebony/grenadilla |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4306 |
olive |
treble |
|
 |
MOE4308 |
rosewood (tulip wood)  |
treble |
|
|
 |
MOE4400 |
maple, keyless |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4420 |
maple, two keys (new style keys) |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4404 |
boxwood, keyless |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4424 |
boxwood, two keys |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4405 |
palisander (rosewood), keyless |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4425 |
palisander (rosewood), two keys |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4407 |
ebony, keyless |
tenor |
|
 |
MOE4427 |
ebony, two keys |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOE4520 |
maple |
bass |
|
|
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' |
 |
MOE8250 |
plumwood, 2 part |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOE8350 |
plumwood, 2 part |
treble |
|
|
Moeck 'Stanesby' |
 |
MOE5323 |
Indian boxwood, plain, A=440 |
treble |
|
 |
MOE5326 |
Indian boxwood, patina, A=415 |
treble |
|
MOLLENHAUER
|
Conrad Mollenhauer produce a very wide range of
recorders, all beautifully made of very good wood. The
characteristic sound of their wooden instruments is more
robust, and with more overtones than most. They are well
worth trying for this different sound, which has a lot of
character.
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.)
|
 |
MOL0119R  |
All Red Plastic, double holes two part. (Black discontinued.)  |
descant |
|
 |
MOL1119B  |
Blue plastic head, pear wood body, double holes, two part. |
descant |
|
 |
MOL1119R  |
Red plastic head, pear wood body, double holes, two part. |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL4117 |
pear wood, single holes, two part |
descant |
|
 |
MOL4117B |
pear wood, single holes, blue, two part. to special order, price as above. |
descant |
|
 |
MOL4117R |
pear wood, single holes, red, two part. to special order, price as above |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL4119 |
pear wood, double holes, natural, two part. |
descant |
|
 |
MOL4119B |
pear wood, double holes, blue, two part. |
descant |
|
 |
MOL4119R |
pear wood, double holes, red, two part. |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL4317 |
pear wood, double holes, two part  |
treble |
|
|
 |
MOL4427 |
pear wood, double hole, double key. |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOL4527K |
pear wood, 2 body keys, foot F/F# keys. |
knick bass |
|
|
|
Mollenhauer 'Swing' |
 |
MOL0505 |
plastic, black/beige beak, three part.  |
descant |
|
 |
MOL0605 |
plastic, transparent, clear, three part. Now unavailable, discontinued by Mollenhauer. |
descant |
NLA |
 |
MOL0705 |
plastic, all beige, three part. Now unavailable, discontinued by Mollenhauer. |
descant |
NLA |
|
Mollenhauer 'Prima' |
 |
MOL1054 |
Dark blue plastic head, wood body. Two part. |
descant |
|
 |
MOL1094 |
Beige plastic head, wood body. Two part. |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL1295 |
beige plastic head, wood body. |
treble |
|
Mollenhauer 'Student' |
 |
MOL1042 |
pearwood, two part.  |
descant |
|
|
Mollenhauer 'Canta' |
 |
MOL2106 |
pearwood, two part.  |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL2206 |
pearwood |
treble |
|
 |
? MOL2226 |
pearwood, with low F key. |
treble |
|
 |
MOL2246 |
pearwood, with low F/F# keys. |
treble |
|
|
 |
MOL2406 |
pearwood, keyless. |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL2446 |
pearwood, keys for C/C# |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL2446C |
pearwood, Two body keys and keys for C/C# Special order item. |
'comfort' tenor |
|
 |
MOL2406K |
pearwood, keyless, knick style, in hard case. Special order item. |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL2446K |
pearwood, keys for C/C#
knick style, in hard case. Special order item. |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOL2546K |
pearwood, knick style. |
bass |
|
 |
MOL2646K |
stained pearwood, knick style.
I have provided some help notes here...
2646_Assembly.pdf. |
Great Bass in C |
|
|
Mollenhauer 'Chorus' |
This range is no longer in production.
It has been replaced by the 'Canta' series. |
Mollenhauer 'Denner'
A typical Mollenhauer case is illustrated here... 
|
 |
MOL5022 |
boxwood, 2 part |
sopranino |
|
|
 |
MOL5107 |
pearwood  |
descant |
|
 |
MOL5120 |
palisander (rosewood) |
descant |
|
 |
MOL5122 |
boxwood |
descant |
|
 |
MOL5124 |
grenadilla |
descant |
|
 |
MOL5125 |
rosewood (tulip wood) |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL5206 |
pearwood  |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5220 |
palisander
(rosewood) (Old recording.) 
(New recording.) |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5222 |
Castello boxwood  |
treble |
|
 |
MOL6100ac |
Cherry Wood. 'Denner' |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5223 |
olive wood |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5224 |
grenadilla |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5225 |
rosewood (tulip wood) |
treble |
|
 |
MOL5222T |
zapatero boxwood (A=415) |
treble |
NLA |
|
Mollenhauer 'Denner Line' |
 |
MOLDL-5222 |
castello boxwood. A=415 Special order item. |
treble |
|
|
|
 |
MOL5406 |
pearwood, double holes
(no keys) |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL5416 |
pearwood, two keys C/C# |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL5422 |
boxwood, double holes (no keys) |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL5432 |
boxwood, two keys C/C# |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL5430 |
palisander two keys C/C# |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOL5506 |
pearwood, two body keys, F/F# keys. |
bass |
|
|
Mollenhauer 'Kynseker' |
 |
MOL4001 |
maple |
garklein |
|
|
 |
MOL4107 |
maple, 2 part |
descant |
|
 |
MOL4108 |
plum, 2 part |
descant |
|
|
 |
MOL4207 |
maple, 2 part |
treble in G |
|
 |
MOL4208 |
plum wood, 2 part |
treble in G |
|
 |
MOL4217 |
maple, 2 part |
treble in F |
|
 |
MOL4218 |
plum wood, 2 part |
treble in F |
|
|
 |
MOL4407 |
maple, 2 part |
tenor |
|
 |
MOL4408 |
plum, 2 part |
tenor |
|
|
 |
MOL4507 |
maple |
bass |
|
|
|
The Recorder - Based on Historical Models
Fred Morgan - Writings and Memoirs |
 |
(MOL6406) |
English version.  |
Book. |
link |
|
PAETZOLD
|
The most
well known instruments from the workshop of Herbert
Paetzold are his square section great bass and sub-bass
recorders. These have a strange appearance (I know one
called Frankenstein!) but they work superbly well. The air
column is folded in a way that organists will recognise,
and this makes for a compact instrument, without detriment
to the tone.
The supply of these is
rather uncertain and I no longer attempt to stock them. |
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.
Roessler recorders turn up from time to time and make it onto my used list.
|
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 shops every where. 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.
Beware examples with a metalised plastic key, they break and are not repairable or replaceable. The maple Prelude range 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
|
Because of the changes to the way the business operates I am no longer able to replenish my stock of Yamaha instruments. (Yamaha's decision, not mine.) Only one instrument is available.
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.
The Japanese giant produces
an amazingly good 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 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 Fife |
 |
YRF21 |
fife in C (white)  |
|
 |
"The Fife Book" by Liz Goodwin (2nd. edition) |
|
Click here for an extended comment on this instrument.
As I am not able to re-stock the fife from Yamaha and there seems little need to stock the book to go with it. The 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.
|
"The Rough Guide to the Flute & Piccolo" by Hugo Pinksterboer (Penguin)
All you need to know! But unobtainable at the moment. (2008) |
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
|
 |
VS500B |
descant, maple, two part , 'O-ring' joint.  |
|
 |
VA500B |
treble, maple.  |
|
 |
VT500B |
tenor, maple.  |
|
ZEN-ON
Zen-On distribution has
changed and they have become unavailable. I now have none left.
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.
Zen-On wooden recorders are
unusual but of good quality. I have resurrected a picture of a bass here. |
CASES & ACCESSORIES |
Recorder Cases |
Descant recorder bags. Tough, padded, and colourful. Various designs. |
sr 32384 |
£5.00 |
Plain colours. |
sr 33312 |
£5.00 |
Tenor brown (Mollenhauer) MOL7723 |
sr 24365 |
£17.00 |
Tenor standard blue (Kung) |
sr 28462 |
£8.50 |
Semi-Soft Cases fabric, with stiff top and bottom and zippered gusset. |
Tenor blue (Dolmetsch) E102T |
sr 41171 |
£17.00 |
Hard Cases de luxe cases, wood frame, black vinyl covered, with handles. Cases marked * have a music compartment in the lid. With the one for sopranino, descant and treble it is just too small to be much use. Approximate dimensions in centimetres. |
descant, 27 x 11 x 6 SHC |
sr 19910 |
£35.00 |
tenor, 44 x 15 x 8 THC |
sr 19309 |
£50.00 |
sopranino, descant, treble, 35 x 25 x 8 * 3HC |
sr 19941 |
£60.00 |
Odds and ends. |
|
plastic thumb rests, see Aulos |
|
Aulos bass recorder beak. The current model, large diameter, 12mm. (can be adapted to fit any bass pipe). |
On Order £3.99 |
Bass Recorder Beak (custom).The Aulos beak (above) is in short supply and they are not always in stock. I am now able to produce turned beech wood bass recorder beaks myself. (Other woods may be available later.) It would be best to send me the pipe but an accurate dimension for the beak end of the pipe would suffice. Please contact me if you would like one. |
£5.00 |
oil (for wood recorders) |
V £1.00 |
cork grease "lipstick" MOL 6131 |
V £2.25 |
descant brush / mop (soft) |
sr 17398 |
£0.75 |
bass brush / mop (soft) |
sr 17381 |
£4.75 |
Sling for any bass (Custom, simple hook.) SR43731  |
£5.00 |
Sling for bass (Generic... suits plastic models.) E005K  |
V £12.99 exVAT £10.83 |
Sling for Moeck bass, latched hook. MOE082505 |
V £12.50 exVAT £10.42 |
Sling for Mollenhauer bass, latched hook. MOL6160 |
|
maintenance kits (Moeck) specify N/S or A/T. |
V £19.95 |
antikondens (Mollenhauer) |
V £2.50 |
Flute cleaning rod, aluminium |
V £7.50 |
MISCELLANEOUS MUSICAL GOODS |
Manuscript A4 10-stave 100 pp (white pad) |
sr 31684 |
£4.50 |
Manuscript A4 10-stave 64 pp (white spiral-bound book) |
sr 31677 |
£3.00 |
Manuscript A5 4-stave (wide) 24 pp (white book) |
sr 31660 |
£2.00 |
Manuscript Block, 200 sheet 12 stave block. |
sr 25171 |
;£4.25 |
'Musicland' manuscript book, A4, 12 stave. |
sr 22118 |
£0.95 |
|
Manuscript Paper. Follow this link for "DIY" files. |
|
|
K&M Music Stands, multi-coloured Special Offer - Postage Included |
each |
V £25.00 |
Music Stand Screws (German) for column, also wing nut, each |
V £0.50 |
Music Stand Lamp (13A UK plug) |
V £25.95 |
Lid Guard (to prevent slamming of piano keyboard lid) |
V £25.00 |
Folding clarinet stand (store in bell) |
V 9.25 |
Please see the folk music page for whistles etc. Click here. |
|
6 hole 'penny whistles' in several models, Generation,
Soodlum, Shaw, Eagle, Feadog, Susato, etc. Priced according to key. |
|
'Swannee', or Slide Whistle, coloured plastic. |
V £2.99 |
Tuning Fork |
|
A=415Hz (baroque pitch) |
V £14.95 |
Chromatic Pitch Pipe (circular) E - E' |
V £9.95 |
Wittner Clockwork Metronomes |
|
Super Mini, clockwork. |
V £29.99 |
Cat, clockwork. |
V £49.95 |
Owl, clockwork. |
V £49.99 |
Electronic Metronome |
|
Yamaha QT1, choice of wood block sounds and A440. |
V £29.99 |
Batons |
|
Mostly with pear shaped cork handle, several lengths, one price. |
V £3.95 |
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 now have 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. |
SECOND-HAND INSTRUMENTS
I do deal in good quality used instruments. Few of these make it onto
this list. A small separate list is maintained. I am very
fussy about quality and I do guarantee the second-hand
stock, though I prefer to sell it to personal callers. Please enquire if you have a specific need or interest. I do not handle commission sales but I now have a 'small ad' page. |
MUSIC
I used to keep a large stock of music but,
as I approach retirement, and I have 'downsized', it has been sold to
Recorder Music Mail. (I have kept the beginners methods as these are often needed by first time
recorder buyers.) I know the recorder music field and I will be happy to help you find what you want
(preferably via email).
The link below will take you to a selection menu that includes a 'help' page. I still have recorder
interest books a selection of folk music and a lot of used recorder music in excellent condition . |
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