yamaha or pearl??

embum79 · Post by **embum79** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 9:34 pm

It depends on the model. You will have to compare
them to see what their specifications are. For example, try to find two similar
ones (I'm not sure what you're looking for), like they both are solid silver,
open hole, b-foot, etc. Then try them both and see which you prefer. You won't
know for sure until you try them. You can't just say "such and such brand is
better than such and such" unless you're talking about specific models. Good
luck testing them. [:)]

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 11:53 pm

You really need to try them. The two brands have very
different sounds. Yamaha's are really popular on this board, but I prefer a
different sound quality (It's a personal preference, not a quality issue). I
recently purchased a Pearl 765RBE. I'm really pleased. The high notes are
really nice and sweet, and the low register is really rich. I was looking at an
Altus 907 at the same time. It was a very difficult decision, but to get the
silver body on the Altus, it would have been twice as much as the Pearl. If
money wasn't an object, I would have explored the other Altus flute. But....my
family and friends said that when I played the Pearl, it sounded like I was
having more fun. An odd comment, I know, but they all made the same remark
without hearing each other. I guess my point is that when you find the right
flute for you, you both bring out the best in each other. I guess that's why
there are lots of flute makers! If you go to flutesmith.com, they sponsor a
flute roadshow, where they bring a number of flutes to different areas of the
country. I was having a really hard time finding non-band type flutes locally.
If you're experiencing the same thing, this might help. Good luck.

falling4ever_3 · Post by **falling4ever_3** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:00 am

Well i'm a beginner, and don't know that much, but
i just recently got a yamaha. I love it, and i think that 4 the price it was
great. I got a student model 261, and it's my first flute, but i was able to
get a sound and a good tone (or at least what i think a good tone is, lol) on it
pretty quickly. So I would recommened a yamhaha!

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:40 am

yeah, i agree. i have a yamaha, i love the sound.. i
want yamaha 481H or 381H or the offset g models.. but they are expensive, and
maybe pearl is good.. *evanescence rocks*

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 8:42 am

I just bounced over to the Fluteworld site to check
on Prices. Sounds like you're going for Silver head, body, and foot, plated
keys (mech), b foot open holes. The Pearl 765RBE, the Powell Sonare SF6BF and
DiMedici 1011 have similar features, and are in the same price range (Pearl &
Powell slightly less, DiMedici slightly more). All are good flutes (including
the Yamaha). On each of them, you'll find people that both love them, and
others that think they're garbage. At this point, you've just gotta try them.
Do you live near a larger store so you can try more than one or two brands? Most
people will ship you flutes to try, but once you start paying shipping and
insurance, it adds up!

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 10:38 am

Pearl has a unique construction that some people hate
and think is just a gimmick that doesn't do the job. So many people dislike
Pearl and it affects resale value should you step up. But it really depends on
what you are looking for and what your budget is. There are reasons Pearl's
cost less. If you are in the under $1000 area, Yamaha is your best bet, but
Pearl isn't a bad second consideration. As others have said, play them and see
which you like your sound on. If you are in the over $1500 area it starts to get
more complicated and I would recommend other brands certainly over the Pearl and
most likely over the Yamaha as well. I also disagree some with the view that you
have to compare identical features. A plated Altus, Muramatsu, Powell, Miyazawa
etc of the top brands that are accepted to be better all plated then all silver
of cheaper quality instruments like the Pearl or even Yamaha. So a Silver head
only Muramatsu would be much better instrument than an all silver Pearl. Also
much more expensive. As far as Yamaha being very popular on this site, I guess
that is true everywhere not just here. They make a great student flute. Clearly
the best dollar for dollar you can buy and its very available used and usually
purchased used in playable shape because they take a beating and still play
well. Also very repairable. I like their step up models as well but they aren't
as superior to their competition as the student model. Once you get to the semi
pro, 400 & 500 level instruments I find them fairly ordinary and could not
recommend them. Not that they are bad instruments far from it. Just that the
additional cost doesn't get you that much better sound. I would tend to
recommend not making a step up beyond the $1000 flute until you are in the
market for $2000 flute, you just dont get much for your money. Just my 7
cents

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:03 pm

Penny, Where the heck did you get your information on
Pearl Resale value? First of all, you can almost never FIND pearls on the used
market (everyone I asked said that people tend to keep them), and they seem to
go rather quickly. I'm quite curious as to your source. I tried to find a used
one - the one I found on the net had 10 people lined up for it the first day! It
sold for 100.00 less than the price of a new one. I'm not saying that Pearl is
the best flute out there. That is very personal decision. I'm just curious as
to why you think they are such garbage.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:58 pm

thanks, i'll try and try them

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 8:05 pm

You know MattMom I read my post over 3 times I still
haven't seen where I said Pearl was garbage. I did see where I said they would
be good second choice worth checking out. Maybe second choice translates to
garbage in your world but not in mine. If you like Pearl, Fluteworld has them at
about 40% off retail some models even more on sale. At that kind of discount you
get value for your money. I have seen them discounted even more on ebay but
Fluteworld is reputable My own view Pearl, Jupiter and Gemeinhardt are all worth
listening to when comparing to Yamaha in the student or step up flute
categories. Jupiter has made a large effort to upgrade and depending who you
talk to Gemeinhardt has slipped a little.(do not translate that into they are
garbage)

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 3:34 am

hmmm... i read that pearl has a more solid tone, and
projects more.. but my friend's yamaha 461 made her tone sound sooooo much
better that her old flute (yamaha 221)

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:10 pm

kryzmunkey I see you changed your post to no longer
defend me and the truth. Good idea, that will save you a great deal of trouble
here.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:48 pm

no, i really didn't mean anything, i just thought
Mattmom might be offended by me, i didn't want to cause anything... i still
think you are right, you didn't say anything about thinking pearl is garbage