O.K.- I’ll come straight out with it-I’ve just purchased a Yamaha YBR302B plastic BASS RECORDER! 
Yes,I know the ‘R’ word brings a lot of you out into a cold sweat,or what we in little Britain refer to as ‘The screaming ab-dabs’ (what a name for a band!)-but I just had to have one.
I’d heard them played on a couple of Recorder Quartet albums,and also by Geoff Walker (follow his link from ‘Clip n Snips’ to hear how one sounds).
I already owned a Yammy plastic Tenor which is a seriously good rc**dR for the money,so I reckoned that the Bass should be a decent buy.
It’s a direct blow ‘Knick’ model-which means it has a neck bent at 45 degrees,which makes the finger stretch easier.It’s also fitted with four keys which make it an even easier stretch than the Tenor.
The instruments bent neck,keys,sheer size,and the fact that you hang it from a sling around your neck, takes me back to my SAX. playing days-obviously,being a chromatic instrument,JAZZ(of a cool variety) is a distinct possibility! 
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All in all,it’s a very versatile instrument,and it’s an absolute BLAST to play-I love it!!
Sorry, but we have to vote you off the island. It’s been fun, but…it’s time for you to go. 
How is the finger stretch on the Yamaha plastic bass recorder? I teach elementary music and we have a 4th/5th grade recorder ensemble. (I’m not ashamed to type the word! 
)
Would an average size 5th grade [age 10] year old boy be able to play the bass? I have a 4th grade boy in the group who plays the Yamaha tenor with little trouble.
Thanks for any information!
Jeanie
Wow! That thing would be even better than a Chieftain low D for fighting your way out of a bar…
Oops! I forgot - it’s a recorder. You’re not allowed in a bar with it in the first place.
If I wasn’t heading out the door in a few minutes, I’d post Kevin’s tune right away. It’s 8am here and I’ll be gone until around dinner time. Check back then.
Tony
I’m just finishing up a bowl of cereal. 
With three fingers extended and in a New Jersey accent, I say, “Kevin, yer fired.”
Finger stretch on these bad boys is actually quite easy due to keywork. And they really are a LOT of fun to play. Same thing in wood would cost you several thousand dollars.
Got it in one BrewerPaul.
Tenor must be the hardest stretch of all the Recorder tribe.Bass is very comfortable to play,even with my small hands(though I’ve got longish fingers).
The lower Recorders do have a special sound,that, I think, would appeal to quite a few people who enjoy playing low whistles.
The Bass Recorder is pitched in ‘F’-It would have to be quite some whistle to achieve that note!
Of course,I’d love to try out a GreatBass in ‘C’.
As Tony mentioned,I have posted an inexpert rendition of a tune (go easy on me folks-I’ve only had the instrument for two days),just to give some idea of the ‘sound’.
After I wrote about Jazz recorder,I was even trying to play some Gerry Mulligan stuff,off the top of my head! ( 
).
I’m home and Kevin’s clip is posted.
Tony
What a nice sound, and what great tone after only 2 days.
I have an Alto which I love. I guess the bass is just as good.
Have fun with it.
Lolly
I’ll agree wholeheartedly that the bass is a blast to play! I’ve had my Yamaha bass for quite a few years now, and it’s always fun to come back to it. The sound is kinda like velvet, and I really find it less “recordery” than some of its higher-pitched brethren.
And, I guess I’ve been off the island for years, since I have an entire Yamaha consort (sopranino down to bass) living in close proximity to the whistle rack. The recorders keep saying, “Can’t we all just get along?” To which the whistles reply, “NO!” 
Kevin,
Sometime shortly I’m going send out my basswhistle ‘Low-Low-D’ on a tour. Maybe you might like to check it out.
The basswhistle gives the octave below Low-D bass sound and it still a 6-hole tinwhistle (all keys of course).
The low low D looks most interesting,Daniel, (the whistle equivelent of the GreatBass!).
I’d need to check out if an instrument on tour attracts any import duty( 
something Zub. said in the ‘tour’ thread made me wonder ).
I’ll check that point out with our ‘friends’ at U.K. customs and excise.
If everything is o.k. I can e-mail/P.m. my address,when the instrument is ready to embark on it’s travels.
By the way,a Jubilee high ‘E’ bought off E-Bay,currently lives on my computer desk.Nice little ‘trad’ whistle.