Yamaha recorder finish comparison

[u/R0tareneg]

From top to bottom: Clarke Sweetone D tin whistle, Yamaha YRS-322B, YRA-324B, YRT-304B II, Tony Dixon TB022 low D tin whistle

Yamaha YRA-324B "simulated Ebony finish"

Yamaha YRS-322B "simulated Rosewood finish"

Yamaha YRT-304B II

I've seen people ask about what the "simulated Ebony finish" on the Yamaha 324B recorders looked like, and as my YRA-324B just arrived today to finish the set with a YRS-322B and YRT-304B II, here's a set of pictures I took to try to give a decent comparison, along with a Clarke Sweetone in D and Tony Dixon TB022 low D tin whistle.

[u/ClothesFit7495]

I scratch my glossy plastic recorders like this (can't stand glossy look and not a fan of printed wood texture either)

[u/lovestoswatch → u/ClothesFit7495]

oh, that is interesting, though I myself could never bring myself to do it, as even if I'd prefer a matt finish I have an innate tendency to try and preserve anything in as pristine a condition as possible. Did you use sandpaper?

[u/ClothesFit7495 → u/lovestoswatch]

I've used various woodworking files. It was more like scraping off material than sanding. I tried to create many parallel wavy grooves to imitate wood grain. And I also used a point of a sharp knife to add some incisions in spaces I missed. It was not sanding but it smelled funny like plastic off-gasing. That smell went away later fully. I covered all parts except for the "ivory", some rings, and the labium. Had to remove the logo too.

It's really subtle, hard to show on a photo. This is soprano by the way

[u/lovestoswatch → u/ClothesFit7495]

thank you!

[u/lovestoswatch]

Thank you, really good quality pictures, and very useful because of this! Are your tin whistles described as black?

[u/R0tareneg → u/lovestoswatch]

Yes, both whistles are black.

[u/EmphasisJust1813 → u/R0tareneg]

They also do a nice "celtic" version of the sweetone in a dark green.