Silver plated keys vs all silver flute

joolz · Post by **joolz** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:18 am

Can anyone let me know what you think about the advantages/disadvantages of a silver flute with plated keys? I have always played a plated flute so going to silver was a step up. I chose the Muramatsu GX flute in order to stay within my budget and just want to check that I've done the right thing material-wise.

Juliette

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:37 am

Muramatsu flute are great instruments, in my opinion, at all levels. The onyl thing that may (or may not) happen is th eplating may wear off o fthe keys over time. This happens due to the acidity of the hands. Muramatsu can replate them later on when/if this is an issus. However, I only know of a small few of instances where this has happened. One student actually had hers replated for free because it was under warranty. as far as playability is concerned, there is verry little difference.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:50 am

^this is happenign to my sonare after only a year. thing is, there is also some silver wearing off where i never touch (the engraving of the name). what the crap? lol

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:50 pm

Plated keys actually have a harder alloy as the base metal than solid silver keys, which can make them much more durable. There is the risk of plating wearing off (on a high quality flute without any unusual amount of acidity in your biology, this normally takes years), but this is a cosmetic issue only. The keys have no effect on the sound of the flute, even if the material of the tube does (which is highly disputable), so having plated keys in no way affects how the flute performs.

piccolo1991 · Post by **piccolo1991** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:15 pm

I actually have plated keys...they told me they were more durable and had no impact on sound...I have had NO problems with them. I have played my flute for 9 years now. That is with normal play each day around 1-4 hours...depandent on the day. Mine is a Sankyo. I have students with the Sonare and haven't seen any problems. You could have a high acid level in your skin. I have see some students and peers with this issue.

joolz · Post by **joolz** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:56 pm

Thanks guys,
You have alleviated my worries. I'm the one who has the green Gemeinhardt but as my husband pointed out, it is over 25 years old and I can guarentee that I didn't look after it very well as I was only 12. Haven't had any other issues with plating coming off on the other two plated instruments I have used.

Joolz

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:42 pm

even though its only cosmetic - if it gets bad enough, is there a way to have a flute re-silvered in places?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:57 pm

Claiken wrote:even though its only cosmetic - if it gets bad enough, is there a way to have a flute re-silvered in places?

There is, but in most circumstances it's not worth the cost for you to get a good plate job done. Custom replating is expensive, and the replating you get done by someone with a Caswell kit (or similar) is not particularly durable and will show wear in a short time.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:03 am

This is very true. We have a flute in my studio that gets passed around for a loaner when someone's flute is in the shop. The plating is so bad that we dubbed it "the ugly flute," even though it plays fantastic. I looked into having it replated, and it was going to cost far more than I paid for the flute. The other issue is that it has to be completely taken apart, so to have something like that done, it is best to do during an overhaul (and most definately by a company that deals with flutes).

Some flutes come with a warranty that covers this, but I am pretty sure Sonare does not, but it may be worth looking into.

piccolo1991 · Post by **piccolo1991** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:22 am

Actually, now that you mention it...I think Sonare has either a 1 or 2 year warrently. Don't know what it covers, but I think the music store I teach at mentioned that to my students who bought Sonares. May be worth checking into.

piccolo1991 · Post by **piccolo1991** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:30 am

http://www.sonarewinds.com/?q=FAQ

One year warranty on manufacture defects. I don't know if this would be considered one. Worth a call.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:05 pm

i know its rediculous, but even though my flute plays fantastically still (when my body works right lol) it is kinda depressing that after just over a year the plating is wearing off already, but i paid so much for it. ilke, to me this should start looking 'ugly' for like 10 years, at that price. especially the fact that where the name "sonare" is engraved is starting to wear off... i thought that part was all silver? im beginning to wonder if i got jipped. the keys are one thing, but certain places on the body are starting to wear.... where i hardly ever touch...

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:11 pm

Claiken wrote:i know its rediculous, but even though my flute plays fantastically still (when my body works right lol) it is kinda depressing that after just over a year the plating is wearing off already, but i paid so much for it. ilke, to me this should start looking 'ugly' for like 10 years, at that price. especially the fact that where the name "sonare" is engraved is starting to wear off... i thought that part was all silver? im beginning to wonder if i got jipped. the keys are one thing, but certain places on the body are starting to wear.... where i hardly ever touch...

The part where "Sonare" is engraved is made of the same material as the rest of the tube, but most flutes (even solid silver ones) have a layer of plate over the top to create a smooth, even finish. The outside of the tube doesn't affect the way the flute plays, so I wouldn't worry about having gotten "gypped" unless your flute starts misbehaving. Many of the early Sonares (is yours one?) had some quality control problems, and I wouldn't be surprised if poor plate jobs came along with that. In any case, don't worry about it as long as the flute plays well.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:20 pm

my model is SF 7000 if that helps... im pretty sure its newer but im not 100%. it still plays very well though. i guess i just wish for the money spent that it still looked brand new too. my student model never 'wore out' but it was probably stainless steel or soemthing... yamaha student model. it seems to me that it would have been easier, more 'pleasing' to the eye to make the flute out of silver for sound, then coat it with stainless steel somehow. sure its darker, but it doesnt wear off. lol

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:32 pm

Claiken wrote:my model is SF 7000 if that helps... im pretty sure its newer but im not 100%. it still plays very well though. i guess i just wish for the money spent that it still looked brand new too. my student model never 'wore out' but it was probably stainless steel or soemthing... yamaha student model. it seems to me that it would have been easier, more 'pleasing' to the eye to make the flute out of silver for sound, then coat it with stainless steel somehow. sure its darker, but it doesnt wear off. lol

That Yamaha was probably nickel silver that was silver plated. Yamaha does an excellent job of plating their instruments, though. It's not so much the material that's used, but the way it's used. A well plated flute can look brand new for years, while a poorly plated one can start to show wear in just a few months.