Best Bass Recorder & Best Bass Recorder Brands
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If you are after a bass recorder, you have come to the right place. What we have here is the complete reviews of 10 of the most popular bass recorders out there. Whether you are a musician, a music teacher, or looking for a great gift for your musically talented friend, this guide will help you decide on the ideal choice for your purchase.
What are the Best Bass Recorders to Buy?
2) Aulos A533B Plastic Bass Recorder
- High Quality
- ABS Plastic
- Metal Mouth Pipe
- Neck Strap
1) Yamaha YRB302B Bass Recorder
- Reputable Brand
- ABS Plastic
- 4 Pieces
- Playing Comfort
3) Woodi USA Bass Recorder WRB-258BW1
- Classy Appearance
- Double Holes for G & G#
- ABS Plastic
Why Purchase a Bass Recorder?
Recorders are a type of woodwind musical instrument. They look and sound somewhat like flutes. However, they are made out of wood or plastic. Recorders originated in medieval times and were very popular during the Baroque era. They became less popular in the 18th century, only to re-emerge in the 20th century.
Recorders have a very clear, sweet sound. They are particularly good for children and beginners because they are easier to play than other woodwind musical instruments. However, anyone can learn to play the recorder. Due to their ties with the Baroque era, recorders are a great instrument for playing historically significant music from this era.
The bass recorder is one of four major types of bass recorders (soprano, treble/alto, tenor, and bass). The bass recorder is the largest of these types, though the great bass and contrabass are actually larger sub-types. For this reason, most bass recorders have keys that enable the player to cover holes that would be too far apart to reach with their fingers.
Some bass recorders contain a metal tube to direct air through the mouthpiece so that the player can reach both the mouthpiece and the holes. Most recorders have the key of C or F, which means that this is the lowest note possible.
Bass recorders, while larger, can still be an excellent classroom instrument – especially for older students. Any individual wanting to learn to play recorder would benefit from purchasing a base recorder due to its rich sound and ability to take your skills to the next level.
10 Best Bass Recorder Reviews and the Best Bass Recorder Brands
1) Yamaha YRB302B Bass Recorder – Baroque 4 Piece Model
The Yamaha YRB302B bass recorder has a very classic and simple appearance, with a shiny black instrument body and white connecting pieces. The mouthpiece is also white. The model contains 4 total pieces. The product weighs in at 3.8 pounds and has dimensions of 2 x 2 x 14 inches. It has a Baroque and Rotten burg style.
Pros:
- ABS resin improves strength
- Durable
- Ease in reaching upper register
- Playing comfort
- Compatible with wooden recorders
Cons:
- Lacks the sound and ease of wooden recorders
- More air volume output required
- Joints may need a lot of greasing
2) Aulos A533B Plastic Bass Recorder Brown
The Aulos A533B recorder is dark brown with pure white accents. It has a slightly different appearance, with a straight body rather than curving before the mouthpiece. It also has a metal mouth pipe. The recorder is made out of ABS plastic. The item weighs 4.4 pounds and has dimensions of 7.9 x 11.4 x 5.9 inches. The Aulos A533B Plastic Bass Recorder has a key of F.
Pros:
- Carrying bag included
- Cork and joint grease included
- Neck strap included
- Cleaning rod included
- Fingering chart included
Cons:
- Notes not easily rounded
- Requires long arm reach
- No thumb rest
3) Woodi USA Bass Recorder WRB-258BW1
This bass recorder has a classy appearance: brown wood body and ivory white accents. The top of the recorder is curved, featuring an arched windway. The Woodi USA Bass Recorder has a low weight of 3 pounds and dimensions of 23.5 x 3 x 6 inches. It is constructed with 4 pieces and has Baroque-English fingering.
Pros:
- Double holes for G-G#
- Double keys for F-F#
- Single keys for C-Bb
- Waterproof carrying bag, fingering chart, neck strap, cleaning rod, and recorder cream included
- ABS Plastic Resin for a strong instrument
- Quality matched range
Cons:
- None at this moment
4) Harmony 30 Series Set of 5 Recorders
This next recorder package is a good option for those looking to obtain instruments with different ranges. This may be of particular benefit to a classroom setting. This set includes a Sopranino, a Soprano, an Alto, a Tenor and a Bass.
The product weighs 5.2 pounds. It has a Baroque style, with Baroque-English Fingering. The recorders are shiny black in color, with white connecting parts and a white mouthpiece. The only exception is the Sopranino, which is entirely black. The instrument key for these recorders is C.
Pros:
- Bag included
- Fingering chart included
- Cleaning rod included
Cons:
- No instruction manual included
- Not the best for beginners
5) Angel 1501B Angel Bass Recorder
The Angel 1501B Angel Bass Recorder has a brown body detailed with ivory connectors and mouthpiece. It is a three-piece recorder with a curved top and is made of out ABS Resin Plastic. This recorder has Baroque fingering and is in the key of F. Affordability, reliability, and easy playing capability makes this a great choice for teachers and classrooms. This lightweight product weighs 3.1 pounds and has dimensions of 23.6 x 7.2 x 3.1 inches.
Pros:
- Ease in covering tone holes to play notes
- Strap, chipboard case, and zipper closure included
- Strong, resonant tone
Cons:
- Flat lower notes
- Poor dynamics
6) Harmony F Bass Recorder
The Harmony F Bass recorder has a black body with white accents and mouthpiece. The top of the recorder curves to angle the mouthpiece for ease of playing. This recorder is very lightweight, weighing in at 1.5 pounds.
The lightweight design makes it a great choice students learning to play the recorder. A music classroom could benefit from having this product. It is a four-piece recorder. The Harmony F Bass recorder has Baroque-English fingering and is in the key of F.
Pros:
- Storage bag included
- Fingering chart included
- Cleaning rod included
Cons:
- Difficult to get all notes to sound
- Keys may not be durable
7) Woodi Bass Recorder WRB-258B 4-Piece Baroque Fingering
The Woodi Bass Recorder WRB-258B has a shiny black plastic body with ivory accents and mouthpiece. The recorder features an arched windway, Baroque-English fingering, and a 4-piece construction. Weighing just three pounds, the recorder is light and easy to handle. It has dimensions of 24 x 3 x 6 inches.
Pros:
- ABS plastic resin
- Quality matched range
- Double holes for G/G#
- Double keys for F/F#
- Single keys for C/B
- Leatherette carry bag, fingering chart, neck strap, cleaning rod, and recorder cream included with purchase
Cons:
- Breakable, not very durable keys
8) Yamaha YRGB-61 Handcrafted Maple Wood Great Bass Recorder with Baroque Fingering
This recorder, another by Yamaha, has a deep red-brown maple wood body with metal buttons and mouth pipe. The recorder has a four-piece design. The Yamaha YRGB-61 Handcrafted Maple Wood Great Bass Recorder has Baroque fingering (with fingering chart included) and is in the key of C. Solo or chamber music is particularly fitting for this recorder. This item weighs 14.8 pounds and has dimensions of 36 x 14 x 8 inches.
Pros:
- Balances air and broadly focused sound
- Adjustable mouth pipe and floor peg
- Protective case, cleaning rod, and recorder cream included
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
9) Mollenhauer 4607 Kynseker Great Bass Maple Recorder
This recorder has a very unique and beautiful appearance, with light brown wooden finishing. It also has a metal mouthpipe. The Mollenhauer 4607 Kynseker Great Bass Maple recorder is designed based on instruments on display at the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg. It has a Renaissance and Early Baroque Style, with Baroque fingering patterns, making it ideal for playing pieces of this genre.
Pros:
- Case and carrying strap
- Adjustable thumb rest
- Wool mop
- Recorder oil and joint grease
- Fingering chart
- 2-octave range
- Strong sound
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
10) Frederick Bass Recorder – Black Polish & Cream
As the name indicates, the Frederick Bass Recorder has a polished black three-piece body and cream accents, including for the mouthpiece. However, options are available as the product also comes in Satin.
This product weighs nine pounds, but do not let the heavyweight deter you. It is simply due to the fact that a padded leatherette case and accessory package are included with your purchase. The Frederick Bass Recorder has a Swiss-inspired style. The instrument key is F.
Pros:
- Easy to play
- Plays in tune
- Double hole G-G# key
- Single keys in Bb-C
Cons:
- None at this moment
Currently Not Available
Choosing the Best Bass Recorder from the Best Bass Recorder Brands
As you can see, many brands – such as Harmony, Yamaha, Mollenhauer, and more – offer top quality bass recorders. By reviewing this guide, you should be more able to make a well-informed decision regarding which bass recorder is best for you. You may want to consider size, weight, additional included accessories, and special features when making your decision.
2) Aulos A533B Plastic Bass Recorder
- High Quality
- ABS Plastic
- Metal Mouth Pipe
- Neck Strap
1) Yamaha YRB302B Bass Recorder
- Reputable Brand
- ABS Plastic
- 4 Pieces
- Playing Comfort
3) Woodi USA Bass Recorder WRB-258BW1
- Classy Appearance
- Double Holes for G & G#
- ABS Plastic
Whether you are a student, a music teacher, an experienced musician, or a beginner wanting to explore what the bass recorder has to offer, it is in your best interest to consider all of your options before making a purchase.
Recorders are durable, so you should expect to have yours for a while. Make sure to check out all of the great deals that these companies offer for their bass recorder products. When matching affordability with quality, you are good to go with it.