What material is the Aulos 703W Haka made from?

The body of the recorder is made from tough ABS resin. This material is chosen for its durability and resistance to the typical wear and moisture exposure associated with regular playing.

Who was Richard Haka?

Richard Haka was a 17th-century Dutch master craftsman known for developing early woodwind instruments. The Aulos 703W is designed to replicate the traditional shape and tonal characteristics found in his original historical recorders.

What is the benefit of a curved windway?

A curved windway creates more air resistance when the player blows into the instrument. This allows for better control over the airflow, resulting in a more expressive and professional-sounding tone compared to a straight windway.

What accessories are included with the Aulos 703W?

The model is supplied with a leatherette holding bag for protection, an adjustable thumb rest for ergonomic support, a cleaning rod, and tenon joint grease to maintain the seals between sections.

Is this recorder suitable for a complete beginner?

Yes, it is suitable for beginners, though it is specifically ideal for 'advancing' students. Its design features support a player as they grow in skill and require more tonal depth.

How do I maintain the joints of the 703W?

You should use the provided tenon joint grease on the connections between the three pieces. This ensures the parts fit together smoothly and prevents the seals from becoming too tight or damaged over time.

What is the purpose of the concave bell at the footjoint?

The concave bell design is a specific acoustic feature that assists in the production of a more developed and stable tone. It particularly helps in the clarity of the instrument's lowest notes.

Does the 703W require special storage?

Because it is made of ABS resin rather than wood, it is less sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. However, it should be stored in its included leatherette bag after cleaning to prevent dust buildup and physical damage.

Can the thumb rest be moved?

Yes, the 703W comes with an adjustable thumb rest. This can be moved up or down the body of the recorder to suit the player's hand size and improve playing comfort.

How does the sound of the 703W differ from basic plastic recorders?

The Haka 703W has a more traditional, refined sound profile. Its design results in a 'developed' tone that mimics historical wooden recorders, rather than the brighter, simpler sound of budget models.

How do I clean the instrument after playing?

The instrument should be disassembled and dried with the included cleaning rod and a lint-free cloth. Being resin, the sections can also be washed in warm, soapy water if needed, though the joints should be re-greased afterward.

Is this a descant or a soprano recorder?

Descant and soprano are two names for the same type of instrument. In the UK and many other regions, it is commonly called a 'descant' recorder, which is the classification for the Aulos 703W.

Gear article

Aulos 703W Haka Descant Recorder

The Aulos 703W Haka is a high-quality descant (soprano) recorder designed for advancing students, featuring a design based on the historical instruments of 17th-century craftsman Richard Haka. Constructed from durable ABS resin with a wood-grain finish, it utilizes a curved windway and concave bell to produce a refined, traditional tone.

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History and Design

The Aulos 703W Haka is part of a series that pays homage to Richard Haka (1646–1705), a famous Dutch woodwind maker renowned for his craftsmanship during the Baroque period. Unlike entry-level plastic recorders that often feature simplified modern shapes, the 703W replicates the aesthetic and functional proportions of Haka's historical designs. This includes a traditional exterior profile and specific internal tapers intended to bridge the gap between mass-produced student models and professional wooden instruments.

Construction and Mechanics

The instrument is manufactured from toughened ABS resin, a material selected for its resistance to moisture and structural durability. This makes it more stable than traditional wood, as it does not require the same rigorous 'breaking-in' period or humidity control.

Key technical features include: * Curved Windway: This design provides a slight degree of resistance to the player's breath, allowing for better control over dynamics and a more 'developed' or sophisticated tonal quality. * Concave Bell: The footjoint is designed with a concave bell, which assists in the projection and stability of the lower notes. * Three-Piece Build: The recorder consists of a headjoint, middle section, and footjoint, allowing for precise tuning and ergonomic adjustment of the pinky-finger holes.

Sound Character

The 703W is voiced to provide a classic, traditional sound that avoids the shrillness sometimes associated with plastic recorders. Because of its Haka-inspired internal geometry and the curved windway, it offers a rich harmonic profile. The tone is described as well-developed across all registers, providing consistency for students who are moving beyond basic melodies into more complex repertoire.

Target Audience

While suitable for beginners, the 703W Haka is specifically marketed toward advancing students. Its ability to produce a more nuanced sound makes it an appropriate choice for those performing in ensembles or preparing for graded examinations. The inclusion of an adjustable thumb rest ensures that students of varying hand sizes can maintain proper posture and reduce strain during extended practice sessions.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Aulos range, the 703W stands out due to its historical voicing compared to more modern-voiced models. Compared to basic options like the Percussion Plus PP993, the Haka offers a more complex tonal palette and better physical balance. While professional players might eventually seek out wooden instruments, the ABS construction of the 703W offers a maintenance-free alternative that performs more consistently than low-end wood recorders in the same price bracket (typically around £34).

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the Aulos 703W Haka made from?: The body of the recorder is made from tough ABS resin. This material is chosen for its durability and resistance to the typical wear and moisture exposure associated with regular playing.
Who was Richard Haka?: Richard Haka was a 17th-century Dutch master craftsman known for developing early woodwind instruments. The Aulos 703W is designed to replicate the traditional shape and tonal characteristics found in his original historical recorders.
What is the benefit of a curved windway?: A curved windway creates more air resistance when the player blows into the instrument. This allows for better control over the airflow, resulting in a more expressive and professional-sounding tone compared to a straight windway.
What accessories are included with the Aulos 703W?: The model is supplied with a leatherette holding bag for protection, an adjustable thumb rest for ergonomic support, a cleaning rod, and tenon joint grease to maintain the seals between sections.
Is this recorder suitable for a complete beginner?: Yes, it is suitable for beginners, though it is specifically ideal for 'advancing' students. Its design features support a player as they grow in skill and require more tonal depth.
How do I maintain the joints of the 703W?: You should use the provided tenon joint grease on the connections between the three pieces. This ensures the parts fit together smoothly and prevents the seals from becoming too tight or damaged over time.
What is the purpose of the concave bell at the footjoint?: The concave bell design is a specific acoustic feature that assists in the production of a more developed and stable tone. It particularly helps in the clarity of the instrument's lowest notes.
Does the 703W require special storage?: Because it is made of ABS resin rather than wood, it is less sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. However, it should be stored in its included leatherette bag after cleaning to prevent dust buildup and physical damage.
Can the thumb rest be moved?: Yes, the 703W comes with an adjustable thumb rest. This can be moved up or down the body of the recorder to suit the player's hand size and improve playing comfort.
How does the sound of the 703W differ from basic plastic recorders?: The Haka 703W has a more traditional, refined sound profile. Its design results in a 'developed' tone that mimics historical wooden recorders, rather than the brighter, simpler sound of budget models.
How do I clean the instrument after playing?: The instrument should be disassembled and dried with the included cleaning rod and a lint-free cloth. Being resin, the sections can also be washed in warm, soapy water if needed, though the joints should be re-greased afterward.
Is this a descant or a soprano recorder?: Descant and soprano are two names for the same type of instrument. In the UK and many other regions, it is commonly called a 'descant' recorder, which is the classification for the Aulos 703W.