Muramatsu and Sonarè

[Mywing]

Hi all,
I'm new here. I'm from Italy and after my classical studies, from some years I approached jazz music.
Here is my first question here for you. I don' know if this is the right forum section...
In anticipation of stopping my Muramatsu ST of the early 80 for a total overhaul and repadding, I purchased a used like new Powell-Sonarè 601 to replace it during the period of absence.
I must admit that the Powell-Sonarè is a worthy replacement of my Mura, I would say that i's a sin to keep it as a reserve instrument ... It has a nice sound, the mechanics is fluid, it is B descending (an option that my Mura does not have) ... I have to say that I'm satisfy of purchase. Ma .. unfortunately the lip-plate of the headjoint has a different design from that of the Muramatsu which is slightly concave, while the Powell's one is right.
This difference leads me several days to get used to transition between a head and the other ... and I would prefer a headjoint that would allow me an immediate switch between the two, without adaptation problems.
I thought of some solutions:
1) Use the headjoint of the Mura on the Sonarè ... but these do not fit perfectly, and then annoys me leave unused the Powell head that is the strong point of the flute.
2) Search for another headjoint with similar characteristics to those of the Mura, but would remain the problem of point 1.
3) Replace the Sonarè with another flute which has concave lip-plate similar to that of the Muramatsu ...
I think the easiest solution is the latter ... but what flute to have the features I need? I cannot try out several flutes... and the search would be among used instruments...
Unless any of you have any other advice to give me.
Thanks for help.

[JButky]

Hi all,
I'm new here. I'm from Italy and after my classical studies, from some years I approached jazz music.
Here is my first question here for you. I don' know if this is the right forum section...
In anticipation of stopping my Muramatsu ST of the early 80 for a total overhaul and repadding, I purchased a used like new Powell-Sonarè 601 to replace it during the period of absence.
I must admit that the Powell-Sonarè is a worthy replacement of my Mura, I would say that i's a sin to keep it as a reserve instrument ... It has a nice sound, the mechanics is fluid, it is B descending (an option that my Mura does not have) ... I have to say that I'm satisfy of purchase. Ma .. unfortunately the lip-plate of the headjoint has a different design from that of the Muramatsu which is slightly concave, while the Powell's one is right.
This difference leads me several days to get used to transition between a head and the other ... and I would prefer a headjoint that would allow me an immediate switch between the two, without adaptation problems.
I thought of some solutions:
1) Use the headjoint of the Mura on the Sonarè ... but these do not fit perfectly, and then annoys me leave unused the Powell head that is the strong point of the flute.
2) Search for another headjoint with similar characteristics to those of the Mura, but would remain the problem of point 1.
3) Replace the Sonarè with another flute which has concave lip-plate similar to that of the Muramatsu ...
I think the easiest solution is the latter ... but what flute to have the features I need? I cannot try out several flutes... and the search would be among used instruments...
Unless any of you have any other advice to give me.
Thanks for help.

Why don't you just get the headjoint you like fitted to the body you like... Sell the headjoint you don't want.

[Mywing]

Thanks,
I thought about it, but selling a head is not easy. I'd rather change the flute, saw that someone has offered to buy it. I would like to know however, what flute I would search which have a concave lipsplate as my Mura ST ...

[Mywing]

Why don't you just get the headjoint you like fitted to the body you like... Sell the headjoint you don't want.

Hi, I'm back...
I decided to follow your advice and change the headjoint of the Sonarè with a similar to that of Muramatsu. This is because my repairman wants to work on the full Muramatsu, so I need another head.
I received some exchange proposal but unabling to taste the headjoints offered me, I'm very puzzled: I would not have another "hard" head for my habits.
In exchange for my Powell I've been offered these heads:
an Altus, silver 958
a Miyazawa MZ-7, silver 925
a Yamaha EC, silver 925
a Yamaha, AC silver
a silver Lafin
and a goldplate Haynes...
What of these do you think could have same Mura characteristics? Or what else could I look for other used ones?
Thanks again for help.

[JButky]

Why don't you just get the headjoint you like fitted to the body you like... Sell the headjoint you don't want.

Hi, I'm back...
I decided to follow your advice and change the headjoint of the Sonarè with a similar to that of Muramatsu. This is because my repairman wants to work on the full Muramatsu, so I need another head.
I received some exchange proposal but unabling to taste the headjoints offered me, I'm very puzzled: I would not have another "hard" head for my habits.
In exchange for my Powell I've been offered these heads:
an Altus, silver 958
a Miyazawa MZ-7, silver 925
a Yamaha EC, silver 925
a Yamaha, AC silver
a silver Lafin
and a goldplate Haynes...
What of these do you think could have same Mura characteristics? Or what else could I look for other used ones?
Thanks again for help.

Well, you really need to try them all, but the Altus Classic is pretty close to the muramatsu ST4. Both are a very traditional style textbook Cooper cut. The Saddle shape on the ST4 is a bit more pronounced however. Other specs are pretty similar.

I played an ST4 for a few decades, still have it.