Looking for an F Bass Recorder

Subject: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: G-Force
Date: 03 Apr 13 - 06:29 AM

Does anyone have a bass recorder in good condition they would like to sell? I am borrowing at the moment but the time has come when I really must buy my own. Alternatively, I have seen a Thomann Bass on their website which only costs £80 and wonder if anyone has experience of these. Does cheap mean poor quality?

Many thanks

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 03 Apr 13 - 01:56 PM

Does cheap mean poor quality?

Not necessarily, but as a rule cheap things are rarely excellent. The recorder you mention is probably made of synthetic material, so that the sound is not quite as "warm" as from a wooden recorder. And, of course, people will see the difference.

Cheap wooden recorders are sometimes out of tune or "intonation" (= balance of sound), which is much worse than being made of synthetic material.

We have experts here who can tell you more.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: Tootler
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 11:55 AM

The Thomann recorder is clearly a plastic recorder. Plastic recorders from reputable makers such as Yamaha, Aulos or the Dolmetsch Nova series are generally good value for money. They may not have the character of wood but they are in tune and the intonation across the range of the instrument is generally good.

When I saw the price of the Thomann bass, my first reaction was "Be careful". It looked too good to be true, and often in such cases it is.

I had a closer look though and on careful comparison, I thought it looked very much like the Yamaha YRB 302 bass which is listed further down the page at £199. It is also available from the Early Music Shop at the same price and the Yamaha plastic bass is generally well rated.

Thomann is a reputable company so their model bass may well be worth a punt. If you are unsure, you won't go far wrong if you get the Yamaha instead.

I doubt you will be able to get a decent wood bass second hand for anything like the price of the Yamaha. I had a quick look at the Early Music Shop second hand list and the cheapest wooden bass second hand was over £400 and most were much more.

The Early Music Shop are selling a plastic bass called Triebert (here) for £150, so a bit less than the Yamaha but more than the Thomann. I don't know what these are like; they are new to me, but I would think they are probably OK as I don't think the Early Music Shop would want to spoil their reputation.

Another possibility is the Dolmetsch Nova bass which is £285 in the Early Music Shop. I have one of the original Dolmetsch Nova basses and I have been very happy with it. Although I now have a Mollenhauer wooden bass as my main bass, I still use the Nova to practice on.

I don't know what your budget is but if you are unsure about the Thomann own bass, you won't go far wrong if you get the Yamaha.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 03:13 PM

I might have one to sell. What part of the world are you in?
start with the hemisphere.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: G-Force
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 06:45 AM

Thank you Leeneia. I live in south-east England and my budget is limited so no chance of a wooden bass. Obviously it must be in good working order and in concert pitch. Would be very interested to hear about yours.

Thank you again, Janet

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: G-Force
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 05:56 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 05:35 PM

I'm too far away to be any help. I'm sorry.

I have two wooden bass recorders which I bought n ebay.   They are good instruments, and I don't think either of them had ever been played. Apparently there are people who buy them and then regret it. Sort of like getting a pet lion. Give ebay a look.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: G-Force
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 05:13 AM

We could talk about postage? Would you like to give me details of what you have available. Thank you again.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 08:47 AM

Sorry, no. I don't want to get into international trade. And if you spend serious money on a wooden recorder, you need to play it first to see if it sounds good, has a big enough range and fits your hands.

I go to music workshops, and many people play plastic basses. They make music fine, and nobody looks down on their owners. If your budget is limited, I think you should buy a plastic one rather than an expensive wooden one. If you overpay for a wooden one, every time you pick it up, you will say to yourself, "I wish I hadn't spent so much money on this thing."

For the money you oculd even get two plastic ones, and when one clogs, play the other.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: Tootler
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 06:30 AM

Leeneia is right about plastic basses. They are in tune, have good intonation throughout their range and sound OK. Many people who have wood smaller recorders play plastic bass because of the price of wood basses - think abt twice the price of an equivalent quality tenor. I suggest you go for a plastic bass unless you the money for a wood bass and can get to a shop where you can try them.

As I said earlier, I started with a plastic bass and still play mine.

Subject: RE: Looking for an F Bass Recorder
From: G-Force
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 06:32 AM

Thank you all for your advice and interest.