I am currently trialing flutes from several different companies. All are sterling, with the exception of Burkart 998.
1. Nagahara Full Concert in 0.018 (C# Trill, split E, D# roller)
2. Nagahara Standard model in 0.016 (C# Trill, split E, D# roller)
3. Brannen Soldered Brogger in 0.018 (C# Trill), Lafin headjoint
4. Brannen Drawn Brogger in 0.016 (C# Trill), Epoch headjoint
5. Burkart, 0.018 (with 998 and 995 headjoints). Got a cool tour of their shop.
6. Powell 0.018, Powell 0.016 (will pick these up next week)
In general, I like heavy wall better.
My questions:
1) These are all tuned to 442. In my ensembles I usually am asked to tune to 440. Is it worth custom ordering 440?
2) I don't seem to miss the Split E on my Brannen trial. But, I like it just fine on the models that do have it. Opinions on Split E (and D roller)? So far I I like the Brannen and Burkart the best, but they do not have all the 'extras' (roller, Split E).
3) Thoughts on the Nagahara Full Concert model? I like this one as well. The Full Concert model has a larger bore size and therefore only Nagahara Full Concert headjoints can be used with it.
4) Opinions on these companies and the long term maintenance of their flutes?
5) Other places to try? I may also look at Haynes and possibly Di Zhao. Possibly Emanuel and Arista (but they are *very* small). I have Pearl Cantabile heavy wall today which I like. But I live in the Greater Boston area so was looking at local places this time around.
Flute Shopping Questions: Brannen, Nagahara, Burkart
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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Francesca_Flute
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2022 2:42 pm
Re: Flute Shopping Questions: Brannen, Nagahara, Burkart
Francesca_Flute, you are WAY over thinking this whole thing. All of these flutes are high quality from reputable brands. Any good woodwind technician can work/maintain any of these. Play on them and pick the one you like the best.
My questions:
>>>>1) These are all tuned to 442. In my ensembles I usually am asked to tune to 440. Is it worth custom ordering 440?
This does not matter. I do not care what anyone says. You tune to the group/recording you are playing with. People may disagree. I have never had an issue using either one in any situation.
>>>>2) I don't seem to miss the Split E on my Brannen trial. But, I like it just fine on the models that do have it. Opinions on Split E (and D roller)? So far I I like the Brannen and Burkart the best, but they do not have all the 'extras' (roller, Split E).
Split E is only an option. Not a necessity unless you have small hands. If you do not need it, do not worry about it.
>>>>3) Thoughts on the Nagahara Full Concert model? I like this one as well. The Full Concert model has a larger bore size and therefore only Nagahara Full Concert headjoints can be used with it.
It is a good flute. I tend to favor Japanese HJ cuts. If you like it, buy it. I play on a Miyazawa BTW
>>>>4) Opinions on these companies and the long term maintenance of their flutes?
if you know a good technician, they can work on any of these flutes. You do the proper maintenance, any of these flutes will last you a life time.
>>>>5) Other places to try? I may also look at Haynes and possibly Di Zhao. Possibly Emanuel and Arista (but they are *very* small). I have Pearl Cantabile heavy wall today which I like. But I live in the Greater Boston area so was looking at local places this time around.
Maybe someone from your area can chime in, but there should be places in your area where you can test play different flute models. It has been a few years since I have shopped for flutes. Since you are in Boston, may be consider taking a trip to the NYC area to shop for an instrument.
My questions:
>>>>1) These are all tuned to 442. In my ensembles I usually am asked to tune to 440. Is it worth custom ordering 440?
This does not matter. I do not care what anyone says. You tune to the group/recording you are playing with. People may disagree. I have never had an issue using either one in any situation.
>>>>2) I don't seem to miss the Split E on my Brannen trial. But, I like it just fine on the models that do have it. Opinions on Split E (and D roller)? So far I I like the Brannen and Burkart the best, but they do not have all the 'extras' (roller, Split E).
Split E is only an option. Not a necessity unless you have small hands. If you do not need it, do not worry about it.
>>>>3) Thoughts on the Nagahara Full Concert model? I like this one as well. The Full Concert model has a larger bore size and therefore only Nagahara Full Concert headjoints can be used with it.
It is a good flute. I tend to favor Japanese HJ cuts. If you like it, buy it. I play on a Miyazawa BTW
>>>>4) Opinions on these companies and the long term maintenance of their flutes?
if you know a good technician, they can work on any of these flutes. You do the proper maintenance, any of these flutes will last you a life time.
>>>>5) Other places to try? I may also look at Haynes and possibly Di Zhao. Possibly Emanuel and Arista (but they are *very* small). I have Pearl Cantabile heavy wall today which I like. But I live in the Greater Boston area so was looking at local places this time around.
Maybe someone from your area can chime in, but there should be places in your area where you can test play different flute models. It has been a few years since I have shopped for flutes. Since you are in Boston, may be consider taking a trip to the NYC area to shop for an instrument.