Recorder31 Day 7 | Staff Picks!

Here at The Early Music Shop we don't just sell recorders: we live and breathe recorders! So for today's Recorder31 feature, we thought we'd ask some of our highly specialist staff to pick out some instruments from our current stock which have caught their eye. Click on the graphics to find out more about any of these great instruments!

Peter:

Launched over 25 years ago, the popular Küng Superio knick bass continues to be one of the best sounding basses on the market today, rich, sonorous and powerful. Comfortable to play sitting or standing, deluxe neck sling and screw-in spike included.

Alfie:

My choice is Adriana Breukink’s Ganassi Alto in F (a440). This instrument is a stunning piece of craftsmanship from one of the finest makers ever to have lived, and we are very lucky to have one of these very rare recorders to highlight in this month celebrating the recorder.

Finn:

The Moeck Rottenburgh range remains hugely popular with students, amateurs and professionals alike. They’re comfortable to hold and produce a lovely sound – I own three myself and they’ve all been loyal companions! All of the woods are great options, but on this occasion, the sweet and pure sound of the grenadilla soprano suits my personal preference. I’d recommend trying them all to see which you prefer!

Olivia:

First time I tried a Takeyama alto recorder it totally changed my life! I was so struck by the warmth, the stability in the tuning and its flexibility - it was unlike any other recorder I'd tried. Still trying to get my hands on one myself, so lucky you if you beat me to it!

Philip:

This recorder is popular at our Snape shop with customers on a limited budget who are looking for their first wooden alto. I often recommend it as it possesses a pleasing tone, looks attractive in light-coloured maple wood and is perfect for ensemble playing.

Eli:

I’m a big fan of Mollenhauer’s Kynseker range of renaissance recorders. They have a lovely warm character, and the larger bore allows for good flexibility in the depth of sound. They are my go-to renaissance consort instrument, but they also lend themselves well to solo performance. The tenors are available keyless, or with keys, providing an accessible option for those with smaller or restricted handspan.

Please note: these selections do not mean any personal endorsement, and nor are we saying these are the best instruments in the range! They are simply a few selections of instruments which interest us, or we thought would be good to showcase.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to choosing instruments, and we encourage you to explore the whole catalogue to find the best options for you. If you need some assistance, just get in touch and one of us will get back to you!

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One of the instruments featured in today's Staff Picks is our very own J. Wood Alto Recorder in Maple. This inexpensive wooden instrument has a mellow, airy sound and is ideal for those progressing to their first wooden recorder or revisiting the instrument after some time away. It comes complete with a soft case, fingering chart and cleaning mop. Check out the audio clips below or follow this link to find out more about this instrument.