I'm considering buying a bass recorder, and searching the net I notice there is one produced by the big Japanese makers, and many large music shops sell one carrying their own name, all of them appear identical with identical specs. but varying in price from £65 - £200+. Has anyone else noticed this and compared? I don't want to pay £200+ when the same thing can be bought for £65.

They look very similar, and play OK. However, the ones I've come across tend to produce a much quieter sound than the Yamahas, which is not necessarily noticeable until you come to play them in an ensemble. To do any serious playing you'd need to upgrade far sooner with a clone than with a Yamaha.

I agree, the Yamaha has a much 'fruitier' sound, and a good resonance on the lowest notes.

Those Chinese clones are remarkable value for money though...way less then even the trade price on the Yamaha, never mind the Aulos. Upon checking my current Yamaha stock I see that the 300 series is still apparently made in Japan (bags made in India), whilst the cheaper 200 series are made in Indonesia. Perhaps this explains the price differential?

It's worth looking at the Dolmetch (ok not enough letters there but I'm hungry and can't work out what's missing!) Nova bass.

The last Yamaha I tried needed a moderate number of alternative fingerings (think Eb was a particular issue but it's been a few years) the Nova plays well in tune using more normal fingering.

I've had the Nova quintet now for several months. The Bass and tenor are very good for the price. I'm less keen on the smaller ones but all are more than acceptable.

Having read favourable reports of the "clones" in other threads I bought one about a year ago, mostly with a view to my daughter taking it to school - I didn't want to risk my wooden Mollenhauer!! I've no experience of playing plastic basses, but certainly found this one rather disappointing. The sound is indeed weedy by comparison with the Mollenhauer and I find the top notes virtually impossible to achieve - but that could just be me!!

Yes, the Eb needs to be played as 013 only. The other note that needs and alternative is high C#, but I can never remember the fingering without a lot of experimentation!

Mrs. Pushpull bought a Krugerstein off Ebay for £65. We had already heard they were made in the same factory as Yamaha, but I thought it a little strange to discover a Yamaha leaflet in the case.

As far as we can tell, it sounds pretty much like the more expensive Yam. I can't say I'm surprised they don't quite cut the mustard compared to a wooden Mollenhauer though.

Same with my Woodnote bass (having the leaflet with a different name on it). I'm quite happy with mine, but then I only play it at SRP rather than in smaller groups, so I haven't had the chance to find out if it is lacking on that front yet. For me, though, it was great because there's no way I could splash out on a Yamaha/Aulos/Dolmetsch one, so it was Woodnote-clone or no bass recorder. No choice when put like that

Where's Liz when you need her? She stocks Woodnote basses, which I've heard good things about.

My bass is a wooden one with a crook, but needs a new beak... any ideas?

My daughter's first Bass was a plastic one from Liz. We bought her a wooden one offebay last year when she was playing Bass regularly in ensemble. Her first Recorder Teacher wanted to buy it from us.

My Woodnote bass has turned up today and I think it's lovely!! - I can concur with the comments about alternate fingering for both e flat and b flat (from another thread Eb needs to be fingered just 013, and bottom Bb needs to be 012347), but I've never tried a Yamaha so can't comment on any similarity with that or not. It may be years before I can really do it justice - but at the current price I couldn't resist it, and Maizie - like you - the choice for me was one of the clones or no bass recorder.

When is someone going to make a plastic clone great bass then?

Hmm...
1. Take a length of plastic drainpipe.
2. With a drill...........

So my weekend starts with a visit to Homebase then..... - Do they sell Yamaha gauge drainpipe?

Musical Maniac and I had our cheap plastic bass out this morning. We both really really struggled to achieve top C sharp. C just below and D above were basically OK. Does anyone have any tips to improve this? We have tried different breath pressures, thumb hole coverage, and one alternative fingering, all to no avail.

Homebase pipe is too wide but I shall gladly line it for you so you get the correct diameter. You will get a first-class job as I am a member of The Guild of Master Drainpipe Diameter Reduction Craftsmen.

If you wish to avail yourself of this offer, act now and send me a cheque for £199.99 P&P costs an additional £17.99. Please rush your order because my business is going down the drain.

Regards,

Bonnanbuidhe, Member GMDDRC