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Wood & Plastic, Bakelite.
Old Schott Descants. |
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These models date from the 1940's.
Even though the wooden one was sold as a 'Solo' model the bakelite one actually sounds better.
They play all the notes in tune, but the tone quality, particularly that of the wooden one, is very soft and 'fluffy'.
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| The voicing of this model is very unusual, and probably accounts for the unsatisfactory tone production. I have only seen the labium and windway curved to this extent on one other model. The resulting sound was better, but of similar characteristics. It was not a model that I sell.
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| Here is another specimen. I think this is rare as it is the only one that I have come across. The labium edge is integral with the windway moulding.
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I think these two recorders date from roughly the same period. The one on the right is a hand made Dolmetsch. The similarity is remarkable.
On the Schott model the white parts are plastic and the wood beech. The Dolmetsch is made of ivory and boxwood.
A lot of trouble has been taken in an effort to make the Schott work well and the joint is actually between black plastic parts keyed into the wood. The black spot is a plastic pin. There are six altogether, three to hold each part.
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Here are three more different Schott descants from the late 1940's / early 1950's.
The darker one with the prettier turning is the one that plays the best.
The original images were provided by Roger Oakes, who played these recorders at school.
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| You may also be interested in school recorders from Dolmetsch. Here is a link to a page on their plastic (ABS) models from roughly the same period.
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