Customer Reviews

Yamaha 300-Series 4-Piece F-Bass Recorder (Dark Brown)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This bass recorder is as good as it gets in plastic. There are less cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for. I have had a less expensive Frederick bass side by side with a Yamaha - the playability, tone, resonance and quality of the plastic is noticeably better in the Yamaha, and defiantly worth the difference in price (also true for the tenor).

The problem is, of course, that plastic recorders load up from the moisture in the player's breath (which is why I give it four stars instead of five). The deeper the range of the instrument, the worse this problem is, so basses are the worst.

There are a couple of tricks to minimize this. One is to wash the mouthpiece in a mild solution of dish detergent and let it dry by itself. The thin layer of soap that remains in the mouthpiece helps to keep the moisture from collecting there. Another trick is to gently warm up the mouthpiece and body with a blow dryer, which helps to prevent the warm, moist breath from condensing on the cold plastic.

I owned a couple of recorders in the past, but this was my first bass recorder. I really love it and it has become my favorite. Only downside is that it tends to accumulate humidity on the inside while playing, but that is expected for a plastic recorder and can't be remedied at this price. Warming it before playing should cure it, but I am too lazy for that.