PLASTIC BASS RECORDER COMPARISON. Thomann TRB-31B and Aulos 521 Symphony

[@bernhardkirchner5447]

I have had my Aulos straight F Bass , that is with cap and bocal, since 1994, still love to play it and I can play the entire range as if it was a shorter recorder i did make a couple of adjustments to it early on though, one was a thin layer of cork cut to fit inside the cap to both keep moisture collection (mildew too) at bay and direct the airflow better into the channel , as there is otherwise a significant gap .. secondly was to add a ball of tape to the thumb rest to improve position and posture in the right hand .. I also swing the bocal to the right a bit thus playing it diagonally to facilitate reading the sheet music (like a bassoon)

[@recorder71]

I think the biggest limitation of the Thomann is the tuning...it's really all over the place, even the octaves aren't quite there. It's too bad, because that price point is amazing for a beginner to the bass! I used to have a Yamaha plastic bass when first starting out, but that Aulos is really choice as well! :)

[@nickperpirakis2211]

I suppose that Aulos and Yamaha are pretty much the same. Maybe in the future I’ll have the opportunity to check it out.

[@maria.maruseva]

Thank you very much!!!! Symphony 521 ❤️

[@lagrima644]

One point that wasn't mentioned is the Aulos' key NOISE which is quite annoying. The Thomann has way more of a "silent key".

[@GS-yg9wk]

It's a pity that the Yamaha YRT304B model is not also included in the comparison.

[@paulturolla]

Aulos...Aulos forever...

[@03Venture]

I think you’re an excellent musician.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

Oh thank you 🙈

[@TheMKEWERBY]

I think I'd go with the Aulos. Now, I have an Aulos Bass, but it's straight with a cap and bocal.

[@CheukTheGreatestOfEverything]

Same here. Aulos 533B Symphony right?

[@nature9010]

in your opinion, which is better, knick or bocal?

[@nickperpirakis2211]

I’ve played only the knick one so I don’t have an opinion about the other one. I suppose that both are pretty much the same, taking into consideration my teacher and some other people from the consort I’m playing, who have the straight one. The only thing I’ve listened to them complaining about is the condensation. Due to the narrow metallic tube coming down to the mouth, the condensation comes back to the mouth and not inside the instrument’s bore.

[@LarryShone]

Good test, the aulos definitely seems much better, but then I'd expect that from Aulos. The Thomann isnt bad for the low price you pay, a good introduction to bass although it seems counter productive for a beginner to have to learn a different fingering.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

I think that Thomann is an instrument for someone who isn’t sure if he or she wants to continue with the bass

[@LarryShone]

@@nickperpirakis2211 yes, totally. Cos bass recorders aren't cheap. By the way, you sound great considering you've only been playing bass for 6 months

[@nickperpirakis2211]

@@LarryShone thank you very much 😁

[@mattfangrecorderstudio8325]

Nice comparison

[@maria.maruseva]

Nick, hi! I have an important question for you. please write your opinion. I love your videos, you're doing an important job! tell me please, do you have a problem that the bass aulos clogs with condensate too quickly? I have this problem and I don't really know what to do about it. I played different recorders and compared them, these are mollenhauers, kungs, aulos, yamahas .. but most of all I like aulos symphony. and now I can’t play them because of this strong condensation. the flute beats so hard and so fast that I can't do anything. maybe you know what is the reason or could you give me some advice? I'll be very grateful. thanks. Maria.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

I don’t know the reason, but yes, it clogs. I have noticed that clogging is more often to happen during the winter and not that much during summer. If the environment is warm it tends to clog less. So, I always do a good warming up to the instrument, especially in the cold days. Also, check out your tonguing. In a large instrument, I’ve noticed for myself, I put much more effort when articulating and this makes me spit more saliva inside. Try to play a clear scale in a soprano or an alto, and then switch to bass, focus on your tongue, and check out what differences you are noticing.

[@maria.maruseva]

@@nickperpirakis2211 Nick, thank you very much for the detailed answer, I think it will be useful to me!

[@marklammas2465]

It's simple physics, Maria. When any instrument is cold, if you blow your warm breath into it, water droplets condense on the inside of the windway. These build up, until the windway clogs up. You need to warm that windway well, before playing, and play, preferably, in a warm room. It's easy to warm up small instruments. Just hold the head in your warm hands for s while, or shove it under your armpit or in your pocket for a few moments. Bass recorders have a huge windway and head. It takes much longer for the heat to penetrate. Lay it near a radiator, but not too close. You don't want to melt or distort the wood or plastic. If you put down a warmed, played instrument in a cold room, it will cool down quickly, and the clog problem will return. Keep playing, if possible. Put your hand over the labium to silence the instrument and blow hard and suddenly to expel any moisture after clogging. It will improve.

[@maria.maruseva]

@@marklammas2465 Thank you very much, now I understand well

[@marklammas2465]

@@maria.maruseva Always happy to help a fellow musician 😉

[@ccorm3350]

Wow! Great music sound. Noisy keys.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

😁🤓

[@M-isty]

Yes very irritating, try ear plugs

[@davidc2077]

I have the Thomann Bass and its keys also clacked some. I put a very small piece of felt between the places where the keys toggle/rocker together. Because when we release a key, and it returns to the open position, the rocker parts spring back together and click. The felt eliminates this! Very nice and quiet.

[@ccorm3350]

@@davidc2077 Still sounds wonderful. Great job !

[@victordelegrego3748]

The Thomann doesn't sound bad, it's just more limited. From what I see on youtube many of the original recorders weren't much versatile either.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

I’d say that the Aulos is more flexible. Thomman is just one sound. I would like one day to try the Yamaha plastic as well.

[@victordelegrego3748]

@@nickperpirakis2211 I'd like to see a comparison with the "beakless" verson. I know Aulos had one of those.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

@@victordelegrego3748 my teacher has it🧡so maybe in the future 😊

[@963saw]

@@victordelegrego3748 I've owned the Aulos "beakless" a.k.a. "bocal" version for ten years. After ten years of playing it and attempting to find "workarounds" for its multiple inadequacies, my assessment is that it's not worth the price. ANY knick/beak bass is better. The Aulos bocal bass looks more "professional" or sophisticated because of its metal keys and bocal, but it isn't. Please, don't waste your money!

[@xarv368]

@@963sawMaybe it sounds better with the tubular embouchure removed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4uYm4GVZqprgqc&ab_channel=unagondolaunremo

[@pedrohbrinck]

Hi gorgeous... i think Thomann is kinda basic... it doesn't seem to be constructed with the same quality.

[@nickperpirakis2211]

Yes, the feeling is different when holding them. I wouldn’t use the Thomann in consort. On the other hand, if someone wants just experimenting on bass recorder Thomann is a very value for money option. Greetings from Greece ☺️

[@xarv368]

Aulos WIN