I don’t play soprano recorder much (tinnitus), and I have a perfectly good Aulos 703 “Haka” soprano on hand for such occasions. But…but…the Yamaha translucent colored soprano would be so easy to tack onto another purchase for a few extra bucks… and I’m told that it’s not half bad…
Is this the low-rent version of Chronic Instrument Acquisition Syndrome? 
Do you have a “novelty” instrument for when you just feel like taking your musics a little less seriously?
The Aulos is a wonderful recorder–I have soprano and alto.
That said, if you want an instrument just because it’s “neat,” I don’t see a downside. Grab it!
–James
Yep, my translucent Yamaha recorder! 
You can seriously play music on it, though (if you’re not me, that is). Apart from that I always have my shakey egg… and I’m fancying a coloured plastic harmonica, just for always having one in my pocket.
I’ve ordered a blue one. I justified it because I needed a new thumb rest for one of my other recorders – and who wants to pay shipping costs for just a thumb rest?
Next stop, nose flute?
The nose flute is a serious instrument.
I do, I do! Then again… I never got over my love of clear things from the 80s, so there is your explanation. It’s why I also want a Parks Ghost Whistle, even though I’m not in love with the sound and no matter how many whistles I buy they usually get mostly-ignored in favor of my Walton anyway.
I like the blue one.
You could buy all three colors and then mix and match the parts to come up with interesting combinations.
Alternatively, if you are really drawn to the translucent Yamaha YRS-20B recorders but might like a step up in quality then I would suggest you be on the lookout for one of the Yamaha YRS or YRA 322B models. They were available in smallish numbers a dozen or more years ago, mostly sold in Japan but a few made it to the US market. They are translucent versions of the Yamaha 300 series recorders. I have only ever seen one personally.
Sounds like a Spillane Low D whistle.
Actually they sound like a Yamaha 302 recorder.
Yeah, like the rarely seen Spillane whistle I was somewhat disbelieving when I saw that one translucent green and ivory soprano recorder myself. But then I did some research and sure enough Yamaha made them briefly.
Yamaha earned a design award for them in 2001. http://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/1202
Lazar’s had some for sale I think. So they are out there - and probably in far greater numbers than Spillane’s whistles.
Feadoggie
Those things always looked like toys to me… Like the kind Sarah Jessica Parker would have in her nightstand. 
[Thread revival. - Mod]
I couldn’t resist the red one. It is a perfectly acceptable instrument, and I find it rather interesting to see the condensation. Nothing wrong with giving in to temptation every now and then…
I don’t think you can go wrong with a Yamaha instrument. Even those bright lurid green ones play well.
Actually, yes, you can. The Yamaha 302B alto recorder is notorious for clogging - at least for some players (me included). Others play it without problem.
My red soprano does not clog, however…
My 312B alto plays fine, not clogging. Put a film of washing up liquid on the labium, works a treat.
Tried that, didn’t work. It depends on the player (their way of blowing, I supppose), and I’m not the only one with a constant clogging problem with the Yamaha alto. We are happy with the Aulos Symphony (5xx)… Horses for courses and recorders for players…
Interesting; I’ve got a Yamaha treble and it’s a swine for clogging up, I sort of assumed it was me. Aulos symphony you say? Might have to have a look at one of them …
I bought 4 of the translucent Yamahas back in the day for the GF’s kids and myself. They didn’t have the most consistent internal intonation. Two were fine, and two were off on a couple notes. For a plaything, they’re fine, but you might have to try a few to get a good one. Maybe some colors are better than others; it’s been a few years.
I’d recommend it, the switch solved my problem. Just make sure you get a new Aulos 509B - I had tried an older (used) Aulos 309-E trying to save some money, and it didn’t work for me at all.
Thanks, I’ll give a 508B a try and report back