Dolmetsch are still doing pretty well, although there are some very good cheap plastic ones available for schools. They come in an ivory coloured plastic so are quite distinguishable.

I learned on a Dolmetsch descant, it still has the dip in the fipple gouged by my front tooth, which, until I bust it in a cycling accident, stuck out considerably more than it does now. After I broke the tooth, the fipple wouldn't sit properly so I bought myself an Aulos - these were considered the recorders that 'rich kids' used at my school... they were twice the price.

I was once privileged to have a play on a rosewood sopranino that had been hand turned by Herr Dolmetsch himself. It cost £400 then.... nearly 30 years ago!

LTS