Pearl flutes

[avins]

Hi everyone , I had muramtsu ex in the past and most foolishly sold it a few years ago , and now I want to but a new flute again . At the music store I tried out a few flutes where I was give a few pearl models, and was quite amazed at the quality as well as the sounds coming out of them , I tried out the 505 525 and 665 , and when I go back over there next week I will also try the 695 and 765 . I also tried out a Mura ex which had a nice big sound from low g southward, but prefered the higher tones on the pearls. Now,I realise Muras are excellent flutes , but my question now is why is the mura ex about twice the price of its pearl equivalent 695. Obviously the answer should be build quality and silver content. but , at least , of what I can see the pearl looks very well built and TBH I prefered its tone quality. Especially in the middle and higher tones, I wonder whats your thoughts or experience regarding these flutes. All the best
Avins

[avins]

I made a second round of store visits yesterday to try out Sankyo 201 , pearl models 665 695, Mura ex, and Yamaha 574 and felt I made such stupid remarks in my previous message especially concerning the Mura EX
Firstly , I felt there were no great differences between the various Pearl models and what really made the difference,obviously, was the gold riser in the 695, . The pearl have nice sound at mid range, but lacks in flexibility and articulation facility. I did not like the Sankyo , which felt very nice in the hand (argonomically) but the sound was not my taste, I did like the Yamaha 574, but the Mura was just a league above all these flutes. just incredible . Low tones are, as someone mentioned in another thread, seductive, it has great flexiblity in dynamics , and articulation is just great ,. so now,I've narrowed my decision to the Yamaha and Mura EX , which I will test compare once again, the only reason for this is that the Yamaha is about 1000$ less than the Mura, But somehow I feel it will be the Mura after all, What I did not know if I liked it or not is that the EC cut HJ has quite a wide opening,
all the best
Avins

[evrmre]

I've tried the yamaha and the EX, and I'd take the EX. The yamaha just wasn't a contender for me, not even against my current flute (An intermediate Gemeinhardt with the gold riser). The EX, however, was nearly a buy on the spot (limited only by current finances... I'm saving to get one in a year or two ). Better tone (I found the yamaha a little thin and underdeveloped in tone), and so much easier to play.
I believe the wide opening HJ cut is more common on professional flutes, though others may correct me on that. It allows for a wider range of sound for players who have developed the muscle control from lots of practice, as I understand it.
Good luck on the third visit

[fluteguy18]

Get the one that speaks to you as an artist. If you don't have a connection with the instrument and it isn't fun to play then you shouldn't get it. It's that simple. Both flutes are extremely well made and really you can't go wrong with them. It's true. In the past I have let certain opinions color my thoughts on both flutes but as I've had experience with them both individually my thoughts on them have changed. It all depends on the player. Both flutes have headjoints with a fairly good amount of over and undercutting so they really help you shape your sound. If that works for you, that's awesome. I sound a bit stuffy on both flutes (except the Calore cut on the upper end Pearls). Get the one that works for you.

As for the price difference? I'm sure location of manufacture probably plays into it a bit (I think the Pearl is Taiwanese at that level whereas the Mura is Japanese, but I may be wrong on that with the Pearl), but so does the branding/popularity of the manufacturer. I mean, look at Brannen for example. They're extremely pricey but it's because (as a business) they created a culture that supports it. Same thing with Nagahara or Keefe piccolos.

I hope Joe chimes in soon. He's a Pearl rep and I'm sure he could tell you more than you ever wanted to know. He's a nice guy, very honest and straight forward (and interesting dinner company to top it off ).

[avins]

Thanks guys , I think I've finally set my mind for the Mura , Its really an awesome flute, What also helped me make my decision is what you, evrmre, mention about the Yamaha which I felt exactly the same , I thought it was just me but you also mention it . Luckily they have 2 Muras to choose from.
Avins

[avins]

I just wanted to conclude this thread by saying that after going back and forth between the two stores in comparing the yamaha 574 and Mura EX , I found it more more difficult to choose . I bought the 574 at the end , as I couldnt see that great a differennce between them to justify the extra cost of the EX , the ex had slight edge in the low tones G southward , but as I am working more and more on the 574 ' I am finding it a great flute indeed
Thanks guys for all the advice
avins