New conservatory level flute - Powell vs Haynes vs Muramatsu

[akkamak]

Hey all,

So I am looking at a HUGE upgrade from my current.... Pearl 505 lol. (It is a nice flute for what it is, though... but after playing for 12 years, I have outgrown it waaaay long ago).
So, I was wondering what are your opinions of the following flutes:
-Muramatsu DS
-Powell Conservstory Silver
-Haynes Q4
-Haynes Q fusion
I know, I know, I have to play them, I will test them, but I don't have the option to take them home with me and properly test for days... so any additonal info would be helpful. Also, since it is a huge step up, I fear I won't be able to feel the sometimes very small differences between the models... (I am also hesitating between heavy vs non heavy, I tried a Sankyo 401 heavy and standard and I liked the heavy WAY better, but a few people advised me qgainst getting a heavy one since it is well... heavier and less flexible. I really like the extra resistance, though, but again, on the long term I don't know how I would be able to work with it.)
My main objective is to get a reliable, durable instrument that holds its value and condition well. I don't plan on upgrading in the near future.... ans later on, my plan would be to get a better headjoint instead of a whole new flute, probably. So, what are your opinions?

(asditional info: I tried a heavy Mura DS which I loved, but i have yet to test the non-heavy version. I also tested a Powell Conservatory Aurumite 9K which I also really liked, but. I can only afford the silver one. Also the Powell I tried was an older, used model, and I didn't have the chance to try them at the same time to compare them. However I am currently organizing a trial for the abovementioned flutes (except rhe Q Fusion, which I only recently looked at).

Thanks in advance!

[akkamak]

Ok probably not so useful comment but update: I got the Powell Conservatory Silver!!!! I am super happy with it!

[pied_piper]

Congratulations! Hope you are happy with it. It's a great flute.

[rylan]

I was about to respond as I literally tried all those flutes just these past two weeks. The Powell was my least favorite. But that doesn’t say much because I loved all of them. I came into this flute buying process with the impression that I would get a Japanese made flute as I’ve enjoyed them a lot in the past. I ended up with a Haynes Q Fusion. Just goes to show that it’s all just your personal preference after trying them all.

Congrats on your beautiful flute! I’m still waiting for mine to be made.

[rylan]

I decided to try them all again. I stand corrected. My favorite was the Powell Conservatory only after I tried all the different headjoint options. I absolutely loved the venti cut. So now, I'm just waiting for my Powell Conservatory 9k Aurumite to come in!

[akkamak]

I decided to try them all again. I stand corrected. My favorite was the Powell Conservatory only after I tried all the different headjoint options. I absolutely loved the venti cut. So now, I'm just waiting for my Powell Conservatory 9k Aurumite to come in!

I have the Venti cut head too! Which cut did you try first that made it as your least favourite? My least fav was the Philharmonic. Did you also try the silver version too, or only the Aurumite? If so, how much of a difference did you notice overall?
After a month or so, I have to say I really am in love with my flute, I think I made a good decision (although initially I had some doubts whether I should've chosen the Mura DS heavy instead, but now I am convinced by my Powell)

[JimPlaysPowell]

I played on a silver Powell Conservatory from 2008 until 2020. I auditioned and was accepted as a performance major at university on a Conservatory. This year I bought a used 14K Handmade Custom. Both of these flutes have Philharmonic head joints. The Powell Conservatory flute comes with the same head joints as the Handmade Custom. When I was play testing my Conservatory, I tried both the Soloist and Philharmonic cuts. My initial preference was for the Soloist. I loved the powerful sound of the Philharmonic, but I found the Soloist more agile and easier to control. My instructor, also a Powell player, suggested that I choose the Philharmonic. I did, and I've never looked back. The Philharmonic cut offers fair resistance, which I quite like. It took some time to become familiar with the cut, but I'm glad I did. For many years, this flute served me wonderfully. It still plays well.

I will say that the modern Conservatory now has a pinless mechanism, which makes them about $9,000. I bought mine for about $6,000.

Now that I have a Custom Powell with soldered tone holes, remember the Conservatory has drawn tone holes, I find that the Conservatory is more rigid than the Custom, less flexible. I find that the soldered tone holes give me a much wider selection of tone, pitch, dynamics, and articulation.

All this being said, if you take the time to look online, you can find a used Custom flute in excellent condition for less than you would spend on a new Conservatory. I would start your search here. Then I would try three flutes at a time until I found the one that frees my playing the most. I would also highly recommend play testing these flutes for your instructor. I'm also a fan of blind play testing, so that I don't let brand names influence my opinion of the sound.

I'd also recommend trying flutes with all the different specs available so you can determine which (soldered vs drawn tone holes, gold vs. silver vs. platinum, split-E mechanism, C# trill key, etc, etc.) you find beneficial.

I have soldered silver tone holes on my 14K and a split-E. I'd also steer clear of the G-disk. It may help the E, but it makes for a flat A in all registers.

Best of luck on your search!