Muramatsu Ex III RBE or Altus 1107 ERB

[Carolinafur]

I am thinking of buying a new flute and I am stuck between these two. I haven’t had the chance to try any of them but since they both fit in my budget and on my preferences I am considering both of them.
They are very similar. They both have the B foot and silver headjoint. The main difference is that the Altus one also has a silver body and is handmade and the Muramatsu one in just silver plated and not handmade.
My current flute is a pearl PF with just a plated lipplate so it would be a big jump to any of them.
Many of my teachers love muramatsu so I’d like to know if you think that even though the Altus one is all silver and handmade, the Muramatsu one would allow me to “grow” more than the Altus one.
Has any one tried both? I would really like to have an opinion before I make a choice.

[pied_piper]

Both are quality flutes. However, I think you may have some misinformation about the Muramatsu EX III. It has a Sterling silver handcut headjoint and a silver plated body. It is also considered a handmade flute. Quoted from the Muramatsu website:

The EX model is our most economical flute, yet it offers the same high quality Muramatsu workmanship you will find on our higher priced models. The hand-cut, solid silver headjoint on this attractive instrument is carefully cut and matched to a silver clad body and key mechanism, the same reliable key mechanism used on our most expensive flutes.

I have played a Muramatsu AD for 20 years and it is a very well made flute. I play a lot of different flutes because I also repair them. The Azumi is also a fine flute. Why not try both and compare them? If you are buying online, get both on a trial. Most reputable flute stores will ship you 2-4 flutes to try for a week.

[Carolinafur]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear but I'm portuguese and I was trying to write the best I coul What i meanmt is that the Altus Flute has a whole silver body and head while the Muramatsu one is only plated on the body.
My teacher also thinks that Muramatsu can be an option that would last longer and that could mantain the good sound for more yearseven though being only plated.
Thank you so much for your opinion, I'll try to see that.

[clarinetcounsel]

I will definitely go for EX.
As compared with my Yamaha 4XX, 6XX and Sankyo Silversonic/301 (which all have silver bodies and headjoints), my EX (silver headjoint but silver plated body) has a more durable and stable mechanism and pads; this is very important if you are in a more humid weather and you don't have a good technician around to do the maintenance. This is why I end up with getting two EX with one as special reserve!!
I did try Altus 1107 or 1007 (which I cannot recall exactly) when I bought my Sankyo in Japan but I found Altus is a bit too dark and I was unable to ring it and project it.

[clarinetcounsel]

BTW, I notice one thing about the description of handmade by the manufacturer which I think is rather misleading because in reality there is no way a flute can be made without handmade process; e.g. I have seen videos on mass production flute making process in a factory in China which included many handmade processes such as fixing and adjusting flute pads by hands. Also, there is no universal definition of Handmade in flute making; e.g. in Sankyo Japanese website, you can see they describe their professional model with drawn tone holes as semi-handmade but professional model with soldered tone holes as handmade.
So, I always believe every flutes must be handmade to some extents but a flute manufacturer would no doubt assign the most experienced technician to process their expensive models and let the apprentices to process their entry models.

[Angla]

I play a lot of different flutes because I also repair them. The Azumi is also a fine flute. Why not try both and compare them? If you are buying online, get both on a trial. Most reputable flute stores will ship you 2-4 flutes to try for a week.

[abateau1]

I have both of them. The Altus is the flute I take for lessons. However, I'm in love with the Muramatsu, which has a fantastic lower register, something that a beginner like me has problems with. I bought both of them from the same woodwind vendor and have an option of returning the one I don't want. So far, I've kept them both.

[Louisee]

I have both of them. The Altus is the flute I take for lessons. However, I'm in love with the Muramatsu, which has a fantastic lower register, something that a beginner like me has problems with. I bought both of them from the same woodwind vendor and have an option of returning the one I don't want. So far, I've kept them both.

I am about to buy the Altus 1107 with option to return if not right. It is secondhand, I am nervous and excited! Let us know how you get on with your two!