Aulos AF-3S Concert flute

Aulos AF-3S Baroque Flute — Authentic Stanesby Jr. Design in Resin

The Aulos AF-3S is a Baroque transverse flute built around the historic Stanesby Jr. template, supervised by leading Japanese early-music player Masahiro Arita. Pitched at A=415 Hz, it slots directly into period-instrument ensembles where modern A=440 Hz flutes sound out of place. The ivory-coloured resin body keeps the instrument affordable, stable in changing humidity, and visually consistent with the period aesthetic.

What Sets this model Apart in the Baroque Flute Category

Most entry-level Baroque flutes are either expensive wooden replicas or short-lived plastic student models. Occupying a rare middle ground, this instrument is engineered with input from a working specialist, not a generic factory design. Included joint grease and a cleaning rod acknowledge that period flutes have maintenance needs modern flutes do not.

Baroque Pitch Standard — Period-Accurate Tuning

Baroque pitch is non-negotiable when performing with harpsichords, viols, and voices tuned to historical standards. It plays at A=415 Hz, the pitch most commonly associated with 18th-century European ensembles.

• Pitch Standard: A = 415 Hz — Baroque pitch for historically informed performance
• The instrument covers a two-and-a-half octave range from D4 to A6 across the d'–a''' register.

Resin Body and Stanesby Jr. Geometry

The body is moulded from resin rather than turned from wood, which keeps the price accessible and the flute resistant to cracking in fluctuating humidity. The 61.2 cm length mirrors the proportions of the original Stanesby Jr. design.

• Body Material: Resin — stable in humidity changes, no cracking risk
• Length: 61.2 cm — matches Stanesby Jr. original proportions
• Finish: Ivory colour — period-appropriate visual aesthetic

Soft Case and Maintenance Kit Included

The "S" suffix marks the soft-case configuration, which bundles everything needed to keep a Baroque flute playing cleanly. Joint grease prevents tenons from seizing, the cleaning rod clears moisture from the bore, and the fabric handles external polishing.

• Case: Soft case — lightweight transport between rehearsal and stage
• Cleaning rod included for clearing condensation from the bore after each session
• Joint Grease: Included — keeps tenon joints moving smoothly
• Polishing fabric for external body care

Early-Music Students, Ensemble Players, and Historical Performance Practitioners

This model is the right choice for early-music students and amateur ensemble players who need a period-accurate Baroque flute without committing to a four-figure wooden instrument. Conservatory students exploring historical performance practice will find the supervised design more musically credible than generic plastic alternatives. Adult returners to the flute will appreciate the included maintenance kit and the stable resin construction.

Aulos and the Stanesby Jr. Heritage

The recorder and early-instrument brand Aulos, part of Japan's Toyama Musical Instrument Co., Ltd., developed this instrument in collaboration with Masahiro Arita, one of Japan's leading Baroque flute specialists. It is based on the masterpiece manufactured by Stanesby Jr., a name closely associated with the Baroque flute tradition.