Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

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meoweth
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Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

Hi there, I am a dedicated noob to recorders. I have a Zamra Maple, a Mollenhauer Denner Rosewood, and a Mollenhauer Kynseker Plumwood tenor recorders (all keyless). I bought them all on thomann.de which has them for way less than other places, I also am outside EU so no VAT.

I'm looking to expand my collection, and I have looked into makers like Huber, Kong. Most of these recorders look similar to the Denner model, but the pricing is around 2-3x more than what Thomann.de charges for mollenahuers. I was wondering if that difference was worth paying for and whether I was really getting a much better product from the smaller makers compared to Mollenhauer.

I also have Soprano, Treble, Bass recorders already.
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by ecohawk »

This is a very difficult question to answer since you're not saying what you are looking for. You have listed three very different instruments so there's no way to tell what qualities you seek. The Denner and the Kynseker couldn't be more different in playing characteristics.

We need more information about what you mean by "a much better product". For example, a Huber model III or IV will be comparable, from a repertoire standpoint, to your Denner. But both will offer more range and a stronger bell note than your Denner. The Model IV Huber is one of the finest instruments made in the world and will have no weaknesses. Your Denner is a really nice instrument which is well constructed, in tune and well balanced but it won't have the tonal character and rich harmonics of the Model IV. What is that worth to you?

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meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

I guess I am looking for something that is different enough from my current 3 tenor recorders. The thing I want to avoid is getting similar products, which will result in them sitting around not getting used. As you said with the Huber IV, it is essentially similar to the Denner but with better sonic qualities, so its basically a better-sounding Denner. How would the Kung Marysas compare? The Dream recorder from Adriana? The Blezinger?

To me they all look similar, and they are similar, in the way that they are all high-end well-made recorders (Baroque). I guess I'm just looking for something that is different enough from what I have already. Sorry if I am not explaining myself right, I just want the best basically, and I know thats really hard to put in words as Im such a noob. To do my best, I want something that will be easier to play on the high and low notes, if that actually exists. For example, we all know that low notes require a certain amount of maximum breath pressure, and if you exceed it, the recorder will shreek. Does a better recorder give you a higher maximum breath pressure for the lowest notes, so that you can make a louder sound? Same thing for the higher notes
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by Peter Duggan »

meowmeow wrote:How would the Kung Marysas compare? The Dream recorder from Adriana? The Blezinger?

To me they all look similar, and they are similar, in the way that they are all high-end well-made recorders (Baroque).
Not all Baroque. The Dream's a kind of 'multi-purpose' Renaissance/Baroque hybrid, you've not specified which Blezinger (he makes Renaissance models too), and the Kung Marysas appear to be Baroque instruments that play at unusually low pressure.
Does a better recorder give you a higher maximum breath pressure for the lowest notes, so that you can make a louder sound? Same thing for the higher notes
No. A better recorder gives you whatever the builder was aiming for, which may be something completely different. So the best advice I can offer is try before you buy because you're otherwise looking at expensive experimentation that may leave you musically no better off than you are now.
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meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

Good idea, that's exactly what I want to avoid. Could you providing a list of the specific models I should be looking at, preferably in an order of priority.
I will contact the makers and ask them if I can buy one with the permission to return it promptly if it doesn't suit my needs.
I also am curious about what wood I should get, I already have Rosewood and Maple, I guess I would be looking at an Olivewood and grenadilla.
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by Peter Duggan »

meowmeow wrote:Could you providing a list of the specific models I should be looking at, preferably in an order of priority.
Afraid not, because that's kind of my whole point. At this level you need to know what you're looking for (if indeed you need anything at all and its not just 'recorder lust'!), then ideally get meeting/talking to makers or at the very least get to a shop that specialises in relatively high-end instruments.
I also am curious about what wood I should get, I already have Rosewood and Maple, I guess I would be looking at an Olivewood and grenadilla.
Likewise, only you can decide that. But you might just find the instrument choosing itself (or not!) regardless of wood if you can get to a shop to try some.
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meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

You're right I have recorder lust, well put... I'm guessing I'm not the only one with that kind of disease here.
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by simchaleh »

hi. im looking to buy an alto recorder, and im considering between the two models the huber modelII and the mollenhauer denner, since their about the same price.
does anyone have experience with these two models and can give me some sort of opinion on them one against the other?

i was told that even though the huberII doesnt have a curved windway, but it has a very well made conical windway which narrows inside. and that the craftsmanship is superb and better than that of the mollenhauer denner. however i would really like a second opinion. thnks

the style im looking for is something expressive and for ethnic nature type music
meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

huber is probably slightly better quality and ergonomics than mollenhauer, but you can get mollenhauer denner for half the price of huber on thomann.de
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by simchaleh »

hey im open also to any other suggestionos. most important for me here is the quality. once im open to paying up to 350$ id rather get whats the most responsive, expressive, alto that i can afford. obviously if theres not much difference in a recorder cheaper, than ill go for the cheaper one, but im happy to hear any other options if anyone can think of something matching my description/price. thnks
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by VicDiesel »

meoweth wrote: To do my best, I want something that will be easier to play on the high and low notes, if that actually exists. For example, we all know that low notes require a certain amount of maximum breath pressure, and if you exceed it, the recorder will shreek. Does a better recorder give you a higher maximum breath pressure for the lowest notes, so that you can make a louder sound? Same thing for the higher notes
You want a Moeck Ehlert "modern" recorder. I have an alto and soprano that can play considerably louder than my other instruments in the low register. In fact, they are near impossible to overblow.

Mollenhauer also makes a "modern" recorder, which additionally has a B-foot (on the alto). I have not played that instrument, but I'm really happy with my Moecks.

Victor.
meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

Interesting, what are the breath pressure requirements? Is it more than a standard Denner/Rottenburgh?
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by VicDiesel »

meoweth wrote:Interesting, what are the breath pressure requirements? Is it more than a standard Denner/Rottenburgh?
It's about the same. There's not much difference between one recorder and another. Except that on the "modern" instruments you don't have to hold back on the low notes.

Victor.
meoweth
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Re: Mollenhauer versus other brands of recorders

Post by meoweth »

I found the Kynseker tenor to require more breath and i returned it for that reason. instead i got a palisander huber tenor.
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