Customer Reviews

Yamaha YRA-314B Alto Recorder, Key of F

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

 

 

For beginners, this is the instrument to buy. Good intonation, and compared with wooden recorders the price is a steal. Only a professional can distinguish between this alto and a $ 500.00 pro model.

This is an excellent instrument for the money. For details, please see my review of the simulated-Rosewood 300 series (YRA312B-III). It is the same instrument, with a different paint job.

I looked at about 20 different records and I was nervous about ordering this because of a couple of the reviews. It was awesome great sound and great price. I would highly recommend get this one.

This is a fine instrument and the price is right. I just received it and was surprised by the workmanship; it seems very well machined and the three parts fit together snugly. The sound is surprisingly good and mellow, and although for me being a beginner the low F is a little hard to get right being that all the holes must be covered (properly) I am confident that with some practice it will be a fairly easy instrument to play. And the nice range and sound of the Alto is, I think, easier on the ears.

This recorder uses the Baroque (not German) Fingering convention widely used in most countries esp the commonwealth.

+: Produces beautiful warm sonorous tones ... reliable intonation and highly responsive - a joy to play ++ much more.
Easy to maintain - washable. Durable. High standards of manufacture guarantee consistent homogeneous quality between each instrument - you can be confident what
you are purchasing. Selection becomes a non issue. Losses can be replaced by simply purchasing another one and you will know that you will be purchasing similar
performance capability. Professional quality made affordable to the masses.

-: Does clog somewhat after extended play but the instrument can be prepped beforehand with anti-clog solution available from recorder specialist. This was provided
to me when I purchased the YRT 304B but I haven't used it yet.

I am very happy with my purchase of the Yamaha YRS, YRA 314B and 316B (yes I purchased all four) which I think is at par with branded wooden recorders 6-10 times the price. A great second instrument or spare for travelling.

I can personally attest that it is true that the simulated woodgrain finish versions YRA 314 & 316 (strangely enough) produce a superior tone to the normal ABS resin finish 302 model - perhaps this is due to the outer coating that resonates better. For not a lot more, the simulated wood-grain version IS well-worth paying for.

YRA 312B in simulated Rosewood has a rich warm reddish brown colour whilst YRA 314B in simulated Ebony is a quieter yellow brown - both with attractive printed woodgrain finish.

Yamaha did a real service to the world by making this attractive gem so affordable.

I had an old dolmetsch recorder, which I misplaced, so I ordered the yamaha. It sounded tinny and difficult to play compared with the dolmetsch, which fortunately, I found.