Mollenhauer 5920E Modern Alto (modern)

Erstaunlich / Astonishing

The sound produced by this recorder is amazing. I have only just started to 'play it in' but it is immediately responsive through the whole range. Compared with my other 2 good-quality alto recorders the main differences are:

- the e-foot (nice, but a bit of a novelty)

- the ability to produce a true note at very low and very high volume, i.e. through a big range of air pressures.

- a 'ringing' quality to the notes which is delightful.

I wish my playing would improve to the standard of the instrument! It also looks beautiful in the rosewood

Such workmanship!!

I am a serious recorder player and anyone who plays this instrument knows of the weakness in the lower notes.

The 5920 is not cheap but as a player you learn to appreciate the craftmanship necessary for making top class instruments. I tried this recorder out in a large UK shop and was amazed at the volume at the bottom end. It is worth having. Of course they charge too much in the UK .

The keywork is top class, equal to the keywork on my top class clarinets and Yanagisawa saxophones .

I shall be using this on gigs very soon, not on every tune we play, but especially those with lots of bottom notes. I have an Aura Alto recorder in grenadila which is superb at the top end. Maybe the grenadila version of this recorder would be a worthwhile investment. I have a Mollenhauer comfort tenor which is also good at the bottom end and is rosewood. This gives a nice tone so I went for a rosewood

5920. I also chose the E foot because I suspected that this would make the bottom F even louder and clearer. I think this will be used much in the next few years.

Highly recommended!!

November 2016

Have had this for a year and has become my favourite alto...Mainly because of the tone but also the top end is very playable . The finish has improved with oiling and have got used to the bottom notes with the keys. An excellent instrument, the best alto on the market.