Zen-On G1-A-440 Bressan alto recorder

This is a delightful instrument with attractive tone and well-mannered playing characteristics. Tone: The tone is mildly chiffy and reedy in the first register and sweet, warm, and smooth in the second register, all the way through the "high G," without stridency. The volume is moderate---this is an instrument for intimate spaces. Evenness: The backpressure is consistent throughout the full range, and the tone color varies less than expected for a recorder. Responsiveness is fast and consistent throughout the range, too. No balky notes at all, not even the highest F, F#, and G. Intonation (against an equal-tempered tuner): Superb, overall, with about 1 mm of pull at the head joint. The "low F" is about 5 cents sharp at normal blowing pressure. The A and the D in the first register are a few cents flat. All of the second register and into the higher partials will play slightly sharp unless the thumb hole venting is kept small, which actually helps with evenness and speed. Handling: The fit of the head on the body of the instrument is unusually loose for a new instrument, although it seats confidently. The edges of the tone holes are smooth and slightly rounded, requiring some practice to confidently sense the placement of fingers. Water build-up in the wind way is minimal, the least of any plastic recorder that I have ever tried. The (included) snap-on thumb rest is functional but unnecessary. Cosmetics: This looks and feels like an ordinary plastic recorder, without serious efforts to make it seem like anything fancier. The blowing edge is curved in two dimensions---an engineering marvel. The fingering chart and instructions are printed in Japanese. The case includes a small card with what could be the maker's QA approval in Japanese? The quality of the soft case and the plastic cleaning rod are ordinary---functional but nothing special.