Treble Recorder roundup
Treble Recorder: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The treble recorder is available from under twenty pounds to several hundred. Here is a clear breakdown of what you get at each price point.
Buying a treble recorder involves choosing between plastic and wood, picking the right fingering system (always baroque), and deciding how much to spend. The range goes from under twenty pounds for a beginner plastic model to several hundred for a professional wood instrument. This guide covers each price point and what you get at each.
Plastic Models for Beginners and Students
At the entry level for plastic treble recorder models, the Yamaha YRA-28B III and the Aulos 509B are both reliable choices. Both are pitched correctly, play in tune across the range and use baroque fingering. The Yamaha has a slightly brighter tone; the Aulos is warmer. Both cost between fifteen and twenty-five pounds and are well suited to students and players returning to the instrument after a break. The Moeck School recorder and the Zen-On Bressan are slightly more expensive but produce a more refined tone if you are willing to spend a little more at the plastic level.
Intermediate Models
An intermediate treble recorder is typically either a high-quality plastic model or an entry-level wood instrument. The Yamaha YRA-314B III (resin) and Moeck Rottenburgh ABS are the standard plastic options at this level; both produce a sound close to wood and are used in professional contexts where durability matters. For wood, the Küng Studio and Mollenhauer Canta in pearwood are the go-to starting points. Both cost between eighty and a hundred and fifty pounds and represent a significant step in tone quality over entry plastic.
Professional Models
A professional treble recorder in boxwood, grenadilla or rosewood will cost from two hundred to five hundred pounds or more. The Küng Superio, Moeck Rottenburgh and Mollenhauer Denner are the most widely used names. At this level, individual instruments vary and it is worth trying several before buying. Many players have instruments made by individual makers or commission copies of historical originals. For complete information on models at every level, see our best models guide.
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