Yamaha Recorder (YRA-402B)

A remarkably good recorder at an incredibly low price and with a lovely tone equal to a wooden instrument. Perfect for practicing without the need to “play-in” or swab out immediately - I tend to snatch very short practices between interruptions! There is an initial tendency for the windway to clog, as with most recorders, but this goes away when the instrument has warmed up. When the recorder is pushed to its limits the low notes can be satisfyingly loud! When is the tenor model coming out?

I have been playing Descant recorder for some years and wanted to learn how to play the Alto as well. I have another plastic Alto and wanted something that would be a step up from that one but not too expensive. This is just what I was hoping for and more. It has a lovely tone much better than my other one and the notes sound much clearer not at all airy. I can see me using this one for many years. Very Happy!

I love this Alto recorder. I bought this to replace my wooden recorder as practice was making it soggy with spit. Yuk!! It has a lovely sound and finger coverage of the holes is very good. Very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend.

Easy to get all the notes. Sounds great. Very good value.

Intonation pretty good. Love the butterscotch colour (once I got used to it). Seems to clog fairly easily so I am frequently having to blow through to clear the airways. Good feel. Good tone.

The sweetest sounding plastic alto I've ever heard. Absolutely delighted with it.

Superb service: ordered in the early hours of Friday, and delivered (free p&p) by Royal Mail just 36 hours later, on Saturday morning - days ahead of schedule! Unusually, the treble is currently considerably cheaper (at £25) than the matching descant, which has a hefty £10 p&p charge. It looks identical to my ancient Yamaha 300 series treble in everything but colour. (Which means it won't get confused with everyone else's when put down during a practice session! 😃 👍 .). I like the "eco" idea, though I'm not convinced that it is as yet a significant improvement on previous versions ... It lacks the rich undertones of a good wooden instrument, but is perfect for occasional intensive practice, with little need for maintenance. Or for keeping by you in places where climate / weather might damage a wooden instrument. Tone seems perfectly adequate, like the old Yamaha. Perfect for what I need it for. Love the "tube" for holding the head and foot joints safely in the case! (Perhaps Yamaha would consider selling these separately for owners of older models ...). Now, if only Yamaha would produce a similar consort (and at a similar price!) at A415. Please?

Arrived well packaged and easy to assemble. Washed it is warm water and dish soap. Air dried it, and wiped it down. It has a nice sound and is responsive across the registers. It's a quality easy to maintain instrument that should last a long time.

I have many recorders and love the sound and feel of this instrument

I think Yamaha instruments are always reliable. This EcoDear (30% corn starch?) model 402B is said to be the plastic recorder that sounds closest to a wooden ones. I bought the Alto size (YRA-402B) which sounds warm and something like a clarinet. The golden colour looks great too!

Étonné du magnifique son. Flûte alto en plastique végétal... mais le son chaud, grave, est digne d'une flûte en bois. Vraiment...Après il faut s'habituer....à l'alto....pas évident pour les notes basses finales main droite....mais persévérons. Pugnacité donc...

Muy bien.