This is a wonderful recorder. All the notes (at least the first two octaves) speak so easily. It's great. It's not heavy. The stretch for the hands is good for keyless. If you have small hands, this may be still a touch big. I don't have huge hands, and I can play it easily, although I do feel the stretch in both hands. The tone I would say is clear and pure. I expect that with maple, so I'm quite pleased. The joints were not as snug as I like, but they were not loose. The tenons themselves looked a bit thin, but if the recorder were bulkier, it would weigh more, and the weight is just right how it is. Oh, and the windway is straight. That doesn't bother me too much, but I guess I was expecting curved? Maybe I missed that in the specs? Overall, chef's kiss, love it. I especially love that it's treated with paraffin. Oh, and this was really of no consequence--the case was as pictured, but mine was a gray color.