minstrel: Recorder advice

[Frederick Joseph Ross]

Our local instrumentalists are interested in trying to get some cheap
(REALLY cheap) loaner instruments for our group to further the
instrumental development of the shire.

To this end, what are people's experience with low cost recorders?  I
remember hearing that a lot of the plastic ones today were decent
instruments, and one of the musicians here thinks that Susato sells a
passable wooden one for ~$30.

Or, if you can think of another instrument which would be appropriate for
low cost introductory work, that would be a good thing to know as well.

Thanks.

Gian Filippo da Cremona
(mka Fred Ross)
Deputy Web Serf of Isenfir