Are there any noticeable difference between sonare sf-5000 and 7000 ?
For example, the timbre, feeling and response etc.
I played the sf-5000, both the price and quality is quite satisfying.
The price of sf-7000 is about one fold of the 5000 one.
I would like to ask those who tried them before,
so I can decide to buy which one of them.
Thanks!
I have played both and felt very little difference. However, it will have to be up to you to decide that.
On a personal note, I am not sure what you are looking at for the 7000. Here, I could get one for around $2500, and I personally feel that there are better flutes for the money. For $2800, you could get an entry level handmade flute. Just something to consider. As I have posted before, I have mixed feelings about these flutes, as well as some similar models.
I refrained from commenting because I havent played too many Sonare flutes. The only time that I remember trying out a few Sonares was at a convention a few years ago. I dont remember the models I played [ at that point in time I was just amazed that there were so many different kinds of flutes out there.... needless to say I hadn't been exposed to much of the flute "world" at that point.]. What I do remember though, is that I didn't care for them much. They played too much like Powell [which is actually a good thing because they are a subsection of Powell]. But, that is simply MY preference. In general, I am not too big of a fan of Powell flutes. They are great instrument, but just not my style.
Although, I will support fluttiegurl's advice. If you can get up to $2800 I think you could do much better. Handmade flutes [even at entry level] play circles around machine made flutes. [Sonare is a machine made flute with a handcut headjoint, so if you could get up to the $2800 mark, I would recommend looking at some handmade flutes]. If you can't though, I would probably go with the 5000 model.
When I played all of the flutes [and I do remember that there were several different models] I couldnt tell a huge difference either. So, you could probably get more bang for your buck with the 5000 model flute.
But in the end though, just go with your gut instinct. Get the one that makes you happy. Surely of the two of them, there is one that just feels a little friendlier; one that feels better even if there is no solid reason behind it.
fluteguy18 wrote:
Although, I will support fluttiegurl's advice. If you can get up to $2800 I think you could do much better. Handmade flutes [even at entry level] play circles around machine made flutes. [Sonare is a machine made flute with a handcut headjoint, so if you could get up to the $2800 mark, I would recommend looking at some handmade flutes]. If you can't though, I would probably go with the 5000 model.
Do you mean that handmade flutes of other brands are better than sonare flute with a handcut headjoint? By the way, are handmade body works much better than machine-made body?
I currently play the sf-7000, but i've not tested the sf-5000 before, so i can't say much. But, in the area where i live in, it's extremely hard to find a wide range of brands to choose from. (Singapore) So at that time my choice was between a miyazawa and a sonare. It was hard to playtest too, cause of the limited range, and the fact that the stores will want you to give a promise that you buy one of the flutes before they allow you to try.
For me, i loved the sonare and the miyazawa was just not for me. So i don't really think that a fully hand made flute is that important, for the entry levels.
Sonare(s) have great headjoints, but have mediocre mechanisms. That is the main problem I have with them. This flute is a hybred flute, designed to get you into the "Powell" realm. I am not saying the Sonare is a bad flute, however I have played better overall flute in the same price range and less. With impressive flutes like the Yamaha 500s, Pearl 600 and 700, Jupiter 700s, Trever James, etc..... why buy a flute just for the headjoint?!
Handmade flutes are not always the answer either. If you are not a good player, all a handmade flute will do is open up a new can of worms. Frankly, if a flute playes well and sounds, I could careless if redneck bubba made it in his garage! Design and quality are the only thing that really matters these days.
As far as the difference between the Sonare 500, and 700, they played and sounded virtually identical. Rightly so, because they have the same headjoint, just different materials, and a slightly different key design. I am partial to flutes that are not ALL silver so if I had a choice, I would not even bother with a 700 series. Again, that is just my PERSONAL OPINION.
welll, i have an sf7000 and i think its a great flute... but it is up to personal preferences i guess too. i dont remember if i also tested a 5000 or not
All that I meant by my comment, was that for a similiar price, you could get a handmade flute. I stand by Phineas' comment saying that it could open up a can of worms because handmade flutes are much more difficult to control and play well if not played by a competant musician.
In relation to flutes, "Handmade" implies that the flute has been assembled and crafted by hand yielding a higher quality instrument because of precise fitting and overall adjustments. Machine made flutes are rapidly produced by machine, seeing little or no attention for hand fitting/finishing. The Sonare flute has a handcut/ handmade headjoint, but a machine made body. So, for your money, I honestly feel that if you could get into the $2800 USD price range, you could get more bang for your buck in the long run.
However, if you decide that the Sonare is the flute for you, then by all means get it. They are respectable flutes and assuming that the flute in question has been made after the company addressed quality control issues, it should serve you well for many years to come.
