I
Insight Horizon Media

Are Dolmetsch recorders any good?

Author

Rachel Hickman

Published Mar 11, 2026

Are Dolmetsch recorders any good?

Recorders by the old firm of Arnold Dolmetsch are generally good and still well worth playing, especially in amateur music making. All these instruments were individually crafted and have unique serial numbers. Production took place over a period of more than 60 years.

Where are Dolmetsch recorders made?

This recorder belonged to the Dolmetsch family. Arnold Dolmetsch was a famous French musician, who settled in Haslemere, Surrey in 1917 and established an instrument-making workshop in the town.

What is a Baroque recorder?

The main acoustical difference of the baroque recorder is that the bore tapers virtually to the end of the instrument, rather than “choking” the bore near the last fingerhole and widening to the bottom as in the Renaissance recorder. The result is a clearer sound and an upward expansion of the range.

How is the Renaissance recorder and the Baroque recorder different?

Renaissance recorders are quite different from Baroque ones. Nearly all of them have a cylindrical inner bore with large fingerholes. This produces a firm sound, but limits its compass to an octave plus a sixth. In the course of the 17th Century the recorder evolves from an ensemble instrument into a solo instrument.

Are Dolmetsch recorders still made?

We can supply spare parts for many of our models of plastic recorder. Dolmetsch is the world’s most experienced recorder repairer. We have been making and repairing recorders since 1919.

Are Kung recorders good?

About Kung’s STUDIO series recorders produce a warm, pleasant sound that blends well with other recorders. They are a wonderful choice for beginners and ensemble players. The STUDIO alto in f’ produces a remarkable sound for a reasonable price. It is a fine overall recorder with a rich and clear tone.

How much does a tenor recorder cost?

Compare with similar items

This item Yamaha YRT-304B Tenor Recorder, Key of C , BlackYamaha YRA-28B Alto Recorder, Key of F
PriceFrom $60.71$1999
ShippingFREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
Sold ByAvailable from these sellersAmazon.com
Instrument KeyCF

Which recorder is better German or baroque?

You can easily tell which type of recorder you have by comparing just two tone holes. If you look at the holes on a traditional Baroque recorder, the fourth hole down from the top is smaller than the fifth hole. On a German recorder, the order is switched – the fourth hole is larger than the fifth hole.

What is the difference between a German and a Baroque recorder?

German recorder debate. The baroque recorder features a small 4th hole and a large 5th hole which makes the note F appear out of natural order with the fingerings. German recorders use a large 4th hole and small 5th hole which keeps a logical fingering order for F but adds a tricky fingering for F# and Bb.

What recorder should I buy for a beginner?

Probably the two most common recorder voices that beginners learn to play are soprano and alto; which one you might choose could depend on a number of factors. We recommend that you begin on the alto recorder. The alto is a great choice if you plan to play in a group with other recorder players.

What is the difference between German and baroque recorders?

What is the best make of recorder?

We recommend the Yamaha plastic recorders, which feature good intonation and easy playability. Yamaha plastic recorder models include soprano, alto, tenor and bass, as shown below.

What are the characteristics of a Dolmetsch Recorder?

– Dolmetsch Recorder Marks and Serial Numbers the bores are conical; widest in the head, narrowest at the foot- or bell-section end the tone holes are usually small and where necessary undercut the exterior designs are derived from surviving original recorders, except for instruments from the Millennium series

What kind of head does the Nova tenor recorder come with?

The Nova Tenor recorder can be supplied with a knick (or bent) head (see head on the left). Those who have no problem with the reach or stretch on standard tenors may wish to purchase the standard straight headed model (see head on the right).

How do I adjust the Thumbrests on my Nova recorders?

The Nova Bass and Nova Tenor recorders are supplied with adjustable thumbrests. The best way of attaching the rest is to use the screws supplied with it choosing the most appropriate pair of locating screw holes already moulded into the body of the instrument. Should you need to move the rest, it is a simple matter to unscrew and reset the rest.