Aulos Recorder (A503B)

This is a review of the Aulos 503B Symphony soprano recorder. I'm a professional musician, but intermediate amateur recorder player.After putting it off for 40 years, in 2019 I bought a complete set of Symphony series recorders, garklein to bass, as we had formed an informal consort (and of course I had wanted a bass all those years). I had been playing a Yamaha soprano bought in 1980. The Yamaha a pretty good instrument, but the upper register is difficult. I avoided going above the break because it was frustrating.At first playing, I was quite surprised at how much easier the new Aulos 503B played, especially above the break. The perfect fourth between E and A is very responsive, requiring very little more care than the register below the break. Although I don't play often, I can play this recorder up to the top D with only minor difficulty. I'm sure that a little practice wouldn't hurt that problem. Half-holing the thumb becomes something of an art up there.The lowest register is a bit sensitive, as it always is. One must exercise gentle breath control for good response of the bottom C, C#, and D. Through the typical playable range, the 503B really doesn't have any poorly responsive notes. Probably the weakest is the bottom F#, but it's just a tiny bit thin in tone.Intonation is surprisingly good and markedly better than the very old Yamaha. Any pair from the Aulos consort plays well in tune with little attention to pitch adjustments. This was one of the first things my wife and I noticed when we first tried them--with pleasant surprise.Tone is fairly bright, slightly reedy. I found the upper register shrill at first, but the more I work on it, the more the tone improves; I'm not needing such overly fast air now. The 503B seems a little bright in consort with its siblings, but that's probably to be expected, and not necessarily a bad thing. There is a considerable contrast in tone quality between the 503B and its sister 509B alto, which has a darker, covered tone. If you're looking for a woody, contemplative, mourning-dove tone, this isn't the place (though you might try the alto).I think this is a great soprano recorder for any beginner to advanced-intermediate player who is looking for a plastic instrument. Well worth the price...really sort of stunning to get an instrument this good in the 20-something price range. If you're a professional, then of course you're reading this for amusement anyway.After a lifetime of instrumental teaching, I'm a big believer in not handicapping a beginner with a poor instrument. Adult or child, I wouldn't afflict a person who wanted to learn with a two-dollar "school" recorder when something like this is available. I have a friend who, at 70, decided to begin recorder. He had his children's school instruments on hand, struggled trying to play them. I gave him a 503B and made his life easier.

I paid for this recorder around 40% less than what I paid for my other one, a Yamaha. Although the Yamaha is good, I prefer this one. It has a warmer tone and a bit more volume.

I recently purchased this because I gave my Aulos Haka to my father and wanted to try-out a 500 series soprano in comparison (since I have other 500 series recorders). Although I love this one and would buy it again, I do slightly prefer the Aulos Haka. I am no professional, but this is what I have noticed between the two. The a503b has more volume and power and it seems easier to hit notes in the upper register. The Haka version is slightly more reedy and more sensitive (in regards to tone control). I think that the 500 series is a great quality and would be best suited for beginner to intermediate players in solo or consort. The Haka is also a great quality but is more suited for intermediate players rather than beginners and is more of a solo instrument. Again, I'm no professional musician, but that is my take on the two. They are both excellent quality and I would definitely buy them both again.

Nice instrument. The low notes require very soft breath of air which makes it a little more difficult playing those notes than my yamaha suprano.I do like the thumb rest and the case it comes with as well as the cleaning stick. One must supply the cleaning cloth them self.

It might look prettier than the $9 recorders elsewhere on Amazon, but it sounds just as plastic.

I like the feel of this recorder. It fits together well and is well made.

I was having a difficult time choosing between the Aulos 503B, the Aulos Haka and the Yamaha equivalent (I forget the model number). I chose this one as I really liked its tone. It sounded a little more mellow than the other two to my ears. This recorder is excellent. A definite step up from the $10 recorder I was using previously. It play beautifully and is much easier to play in tune than the cheap recorder. The biggest complaint for me would be the difficulty of getting the lower register to speak. It is not very forgiving if you over blow. However, I feel I got used to this rather quickly and am playing the low notes just fine now. I am still a beginner (though I do play the oboe), so I know my recorder technique is far from perfect. Overall, I am very impressed!

Great price cheaper than going through the school and better quality. My son loves it.