Yamaha Recorders

Please note: we ask that all orders for plastic recorders be placed using our ASW Order Form. This will enable us to process and fill your order much more quickly and efficiently. Because of the great volume of orders for our custom-tuned plastic recorders, we are not able to accept telephone orders for these items and ask for your cooperation and understanding in this regard.

20 Series Plastic Recorders

Inexpensive entry-level instruments made of white ABS resin. These are of older design and the tuning and response cannot be improved to our standards. We therefore offer them only on an "as is" basis with no tuning guarantee.

300 Series Plastic Recorders

These are among the best quality plastic recorders currently available, having a full, complex, and robust tone quality and excellent high register response. The intonation as delivered leaves a good deal to be desired, but our custom tuning procedures render these instruments capable of being played well in tune. There is no additional charge for this custom tuning; it is included in the price of the instrument. The 312 & 314 Series soprano and alto have imitation woodgrain finishes: the "palisander" has a dark reddish-brown background color with fine medium brown stripes; the "ebony" has a lighter yellow-brown background color with broad dark black-brown stripes. There is no tonal difference between the two woodgrain finishes, but they both have a slightly more complex and interesting sound than the plain brown plastic instruments. The newest III models feature newly-redesigned cases and an improved, richer finish on the woodgrain models. They are easily worth the slightly higher price. The older YRT-302B tenor with single key was replaced in January of 1996 with the YRT-304B double keyed instrument at no increase in price. We also offer our famous Mayflower Special: a matched set of custom-tuned sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders at a special consort price.

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400 Series Plastic Recorders

For the first time in almost twenty years, Yamaha has made an addition to their offerings of plastic recorders. The new 400 series is identical in acoustical design to their extremely popular 300 series, but the new models are being made of a revolutionary composite material called "Ecodear", which consists of 70% ABS plastic petroleum-based resin (all previous models have been made of 100% ABS plastic) and 30% plant-based resin. These new instruments are mellow yellow in color and similar to boxwood in appearance, with white imitation ivory trim similar to that in the 300 series instruments. In addition to being more ecologically friendly, the new recorders have a slightly darker, thicker, more covered tone quality. They are priced in between the plain brown plastic YRS-302B and the woodgrain-finish YRS-312B and YRS-314B models, is 8 grams (.3 oz.) heavier in weight (96 vs. 88 grams), and have a more solid feel in the hands. Video clips of the new instrument may be seen on the Yamaha website; we apologize to our customers for the poor quality of the performances. Update: the matching 400 series alto recorder is now available as well.

Please note: Yamaha has announced the discontinuation of their 400 Series Ecodear soprano and alto recorders. They will be replaced by new Terramac soprano and alto recorders, which are identical in color, weight, tone quality, and price. We have sufficient supplies of the Ecodear models in stock at the moment, but they will be eventually replaced by the new Terramac recorders when present inventory is depleted.

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60 Series Recorders

Outstanding modernized baroque-style instruments with curved windways, straight toneholes, and a hand-rubbed oil finish; tenor, bass, and greatbass recorders are provided with excellent fitted hard cases. These recorders have a very thick, rich, dark, and covered tone quality and are intended as all-purpose solo and ensemble instruments for the intermediate adult player. They provide excellent performance at a very moderate price point.

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80, 800, & 900 Series Recorders

Handcrafted authentic baroque-style instruments with very narrow, highly conical, curved windways, undercut tone holes, and a hand-rubbed oil finish. These instruments produce a quiet, intense, vibrant, and reedy tone quality. The new 800 series altos were unfortunately redesigned for playing at extremely low breath pressures; however, we can retune them at nominal cost so they can be played with more moderate breath pressures and will produce a fuller, richer tone and improved response. The low-pitch Denner alto is one of the best reproduction baroque instruments currently available and at a bargain price as well. These are excellent instruments for advanced players wanting to perform baroque solo and ensemble literature.

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