Hi!
I am new to this forum. I play the low tinwhistle and Scottish smallpipes. I recently purchased a used "Concerto" recorder at a thrift shop. I know nothing about recorders and thought it would be interesting to try. It also says "F Alto" on the front and "Germany" on the back. I could send a photo of it to someone. Does anyone know anything about this brand? Is it any good? I don't have any idea how old it is. I would appreciate any help with identifying it.
Thanks and GOD bless you!
Skywatcher

I am curious too. I am looking at a tenor recorder of this brand, if it is a brand, up for sale in Holland on an internet market place.
Actually I think it isn't a brand but a series from some manufacturer. But I haven't been able to find anything about the "CONCERTO" so far, except the post in 8notes, to which I am replying...

I can't directly address the issue of the brand because I have never heard of it. But, if I may be permitted to generalize: These unknown brands tend to be inferior. However, if yours is good, then it is good. Wood recorders are not like digital cameras or tires where one is nearly identical to the other, so that, if one reads a favorable or unfavorable review of some model of camera or tire, there is a high probability that if you buy one, it will be of very similar quality. While some brands of recorders are more reliable at turning out good playing recorders, there is still quite a degree of variation in how well each recorder plays. This variation is why you should buy a wood recorder only from a vendor that allows a trial period with a full refund of your money (minus shipping cost) if the recorder is not satisfactory.

You can buy a "respectable" brand and model of recorder, and it might be unacceptable. I have, in fact, had that happen multiple times. And you can buy an unknown brand, or not so highly regarded brand, and it happens to be good. For example, I have sopranos (descant) from Mollenhauer, Moeck, and Aura. But my best soprano is a Hohner. Now, I don't go around recommending Hohners to everyone; it's just that this particular one turned out very well.

One might ask what is the point of spending the money on the respectable brand when there is so much variation? There is a saying: "The race does not always go to the swift, nor the contest always to the strong. But that's the way to bet." So it goes with recorder buying. But if you find a recorder of unknown brand that happens to be good, then it's good. If not, then it's not.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The proof of the recorder is in the playing.