Powell Flutes

[fluteguy18]

go on their webpage. It explains the differences. however, sorry to be blunt, but you have made a lot of requests like this. Everyone is different. Each person is unique, and their preferences are different. So, stop asking which is better. We cant tell you. We can tell you our personal opinions from our own expieriances (which we have done EXTENSIVELY). Get the picture? try them for yourself. make your own decision which is better. Then, decide which one is the best priced. to quote someone else, finding a flute is a journey you have to take alone. Start with powell if you want. Read their webpage. Contact fluteworld.com and do a trial period on all the flutes you want to try from powell. If you like them great. If you dont, try another brand. Keep fishing until you catch the right one.

I swear if I hear another one of these sort of questions by someone who keeps asking it (new users dont count) I will tell them to go and buy one from wal-mart.

[fluttiegurl]

The Signature series is no longer a completely hand made flute from what I gather, though this could be wrong. It does have a hand cut headjoint. The Conservatory is the next step up, being hand made at this time. They also make custom order flutes which are also handmade.

Which is better? There is a significant difference in the prices of these flutes (in some cases, several thousand dollars). This often indicated more precission craftsmanship having taken place during manufacturing, but does not always indicate which is "better" for every individual. You will have to try them all to find which one you personally like.

Powell also offers a number of different styles of headjoints. Be sure to try different headjoints with each flute as well. If you are looking to make this kind of investment, you definately want to play as many as possible to make sure that you get the right one for you.

[flutepicc06]

I'm sorry fluteguy18 but the post I put wasn't asking about which one was better, it was just asking what the difference is and btw I did look at the website and I didn't really get what it was talking about. And also you don't know what kind of predicament I'm in. My parents don't want to drive me anywhere further then 10 miles to find a professional flute and the detest ideas of ordering online so that crosses out fluteworld and wwbw. I don't get what it is but al forums I look at there are barely any that don't have a single bit of slander or arrogance!!!

Well tell your parents that for the amount of money you'll be spending, it only makes sense to be sure you'll be happy with your new flute. We're talking multiple thousands of dollars here, and if you ask me, it's pretty stupid not to test the flutes when options are easily available to let you get your hands on them. You don't even necessarily have to order them through fluteworld or wwbw (in fact, I wouldn't suggest WWBW) online. They, as well as many other flute dealers like Jeff Weissman, Carolyn Nussbaum, and others, will send out flutes to be tested if you contact them over the phone. Then, you don't actually have to buy from any of these sources either. You can test the flutes recieved through the mail, and then once you've decided what you want, buy it from another, more local source (If I remember correctly, you're in southern California, and there are several good dealers in the area that can get whatever you need). You must test the flutes out before you buy. Every flute at this level is different, and you need to be sure what you get will help you rather than holding you back (as a flute poorly matched to you can). Perhaps your parent's unwillingness to help down this road is a sign that they don't believe you need, or don't want, to purchase a new instrument. Talk it over with them...Find out why you can't order online, and why the ten mile limit exists (that would hold almost everyone back from getting a new flute if online ordering weren't possible).

[fluteguy18]

What is the difference between a powell signature, powell conservatory, and powell handmade? Which is a better playing flute and which is more worth it for the price?

I believe you did ask which was better in regards to playing, which is basically the same thing as asking which is better. I mean the quality of a flute is mostly about how well they play right? Also, fluteworld has a phone number, so you can do everything over the phone, and can often get a better price on things over the phone from them.

[MeLizzard]

The other (almost unreasonable) option is to wait awhile and do your own shopping. My family was adamant about not buying things for teenagers. I believe it's unreasonable to ask a kid to foot the bill for tools they need to prepare for college, but this happened to me. My mother likened buying me a good flute to buying me a car (!?!?!), and she "doesn't buy first cars". I was very handicapped, very frustrated, and unable to properly progress. However, I did survive. I have a great flute now, and I'm also still paying student loans. Start saving any money you can, shop for a gently-used professional flute, and buy one in a year or two. The posted suggestions of dealing with Flute World and other remote dealers are good, and logical, but if you're in California, there should be at least a few dealers within an hour's drive. I'm sorry about the parental perspective you're coping with, but, living in West Virginia (largely rural and underexposed), I've certainly encountered it before. Lowest-dollar, closest proximity, least effort wins every time!
*Maybe there are deeper reasons they don't want to buy you a new flute. Do they think music is a poor career choice?
*Buying a good instrument is not akin to making a WalMart run for more computer paper. Instruments are tools for performing a job. Does either of your parents need specialized equipment for their work? Something they might have to buy from a specialty dealer or even order from out of town? Maybe they would better understand that analogy. Sometimes we have to shop outside our hometowns. If a flute brand we carry suits one of my students, I'll recommend it. If they need something from someplace else, I'll say so as well. I hope you find a good solution.

[Meredith]

Re: 10 mile rule.

I believe that Jeff Weissman's studio (in Queens, NY) has a policy that will reimburse you up to $150 in travel expenses.

[sidekicker]

go on their webpage. It explains the differences. however, sorry to be blunt, but you have made a lot of requests like this. Everyone is different. Each person is unique, and their preferences are different. So, stop asking which is better. We cant tell you. We can tell you our personal opinions from our own expieriances (which we have done EXTENSIVELY). Get the picture? try them for yourself. make your own decision which is better. Then, decide which one is the best priced. to quote someone else, finding a flute is a journey you have to take alone. Start with powell if you want. Read their webpage. Contact fluteworld.com and do a trial period on all the flutes you want to try from powell. If you like them great. If you dont, try another brand. Keep fishing until you catch the right one.

I swear if I hear another one of these sort of questions by someone who keeps asking it (new users dont count) I will tell them to go and buy one from wal-mart.

I didn't find your response "blunt" at all. It was rude, and not at all the product of a mature adult. S/he, according to how I read the post, was merely asking if anybody had some personal experiences and/or knowledge about the differences between those Powell models. If you can't be helpful, then don't respond and go have your immature tantrums elsewhere. This is a forum designed to share experiences with each other.

I suspect the "18" in your handle indicates your age (or something close to it). Believe me, it shows.

SK

[fluteguy18]

yet look at your response. If a personal attack against anyone isnt a sign of maturity, I dont know what is. Everyone is permitted to have a bad day, and for me I have had quite a few lately. That was a bad day. Yes, it was rude, but completely truthful. You yourself did not add much to this thread with your comment either by attacking my post.

Also, if you look, others have made similiar comments (a different tone perhaps but all rather blunt) on threads a lot like this one created by the same individual. At first we were patient, and gave the individual time to finally realize that we were right by not swaying them one way or another, and humored their multiple posts on the same subject. Eventually, multiple users had to be blunt. You just happened to find my post.

Show some class, and if you are going to do another personal attack, follow the accepted procedure of this board and do a PM.

The lecture you gave wasnt sharing any "experiances" as you said was the purpose of this board, and it was just as rude as mine.

[sidekicker]

You were the first to throw a stone at the original poster. I responded to your rudeness because nobody else seemed to be interested and I thought it was important to remind others that we should be trying to help those who post questions here rather than making light of what was obviously important to this person. I was interested in answers to those questions, too, but you immediately derailed it with your personal fit. And you provided no relevant response beyond referring to web pages, etc. Essentially, you blew him/her off.

So, did you send the original poster a PM, since that's apparently the "accepted procedure" of this board when one has a personal problem with another member? I think what you wrote qualified as a personal attack on him/her.

Class? I think it takes a lot more class to stick up for someone who, IMO, was wronged on this board, than what you added to the discussion topic. Suggesting someone buy a flute at Walmart was really eloquent indeed. If you find that to be "classy", then I feel sorry for you.

You got busted, buddy. Get over it and move on.

SK

[fluteguy18]

I do apologize for any rudeness, but you should do your research to see that several similiar posts regarding a "which flute is best" theme have been posted by this user. So, I was just trying to stomp out this recurring situation because these sort of posts by this individual were so frequent that a few of them went unanswered because of their redundancy.

It was rude, and I do apologize, but it was honest, and disregarding tone, completely accurate.

And evidently the art of sarcasm is lost on people. I would never honestly advise someone to purchase a flute from walmart unless that is their ONLY possible option to get a flute. And even then I would discourgage it, and advise them to save their money to buy a quality instrument.

However, you stepped into a situation that you had no business in. I was not sent a PM by this individual regarding my response, and therefore no problem arose.

And "busted" you say? If there was any initial problem with my original
"casting of stones" I would have found out immediately because there are others here that are far more outspoken and eager to lend a helping hand than you. So, evidently some people agreed, or interpretted my initial post the way it was intended to be meant.

It was not written with malice, but rather slight frustration at a repetitive theme with this user ("What is the best flute"). I am sorry it came across that way.

SK--- I am sending you a PM to settle this "dispute" because I am sure that no one else is interested.

[fluteguy18]

I dont have any "offenses" against anyone! That was just a day when I was a little short tempered, and I forgot that things dont always come across in writing the way they do in your head. It wasnt intended to sound rude, but just a little frustrated.

Why cant we just let this go. This was an old thread anyway (threads die very quickly here), and there is no point in having a dispute about this. Sorry, I came across too strong.

But really, what was the point in going to an old thread and starting an argument? It seemed unreasonable to me (and others mind you) that you people would start an argument so late after the initial post, and I have really gotten to the point of not caring about this. Yeah, I came across too strong. Big Deal, I have apologized. People can mess up every once in a while. I believe I have contributed more than my fair share on this board, and deserve a second chance. But if there was a problem in the beginning, believe me, I would have heard about it a lot sooner, because I have seen similiar situations on this board.

Besides, this could have started a lot better anyway. It is better to right a wrong with class, by being polite but saying that someone was in the wrong. It doesnt show much about charachter when it starts with a personal attack about maturity.

After this post, I really dont care. I have made an apology, and I have continued to defend myself against unreasonable immature personal attacks. My post, however rude, was not a personal attack on the OP. I did not make personal insults to the initial poster. Therefore, any (and all) personal attacks against myself were uncalled for and childish.

[sidekicker]

I got your PM fluteguy; thanks. Perhaps we both have had bad weeks that drew some ire (my Scottish blood does have a tendency to boil faster at times ). I apologize as well to anyone I may have put off, including you. I'm typically not so reactionary, but that particular response really rubbed me wrong.

But we must remember that for this board to be of any benefit, we really should take the questions asked at face value and try to help each other. We are all bonded by a deep love for a particular instrument. I've noticed some posters here seem to be very young and not as knowledgeable about things as those of us who have been around the block quite a bit. We need to be patient with those still trying to learn.

As for coming in "late" on a thread, I don't live on the internet like some of you apparently do. I have a real life. So I'm not going to be able to respond as timely as some of you do. However, I don't think that should be a relevant concern. Since when is there a time limit on when a contribution to the board can be made?

No hard feelings. Please forgive me for any perceived offense. I just thought someone needed to stick up for this poster who -- at least to me -- appeared genuinely interested in some guidance and got immediately blown off.

I consider the matter closed at this point, so let's move on.

SK

[fluteguy18]

Absolutely. Lets just put this in the past. I we have all learned a lesson here I think (or at least I know I have).

And just to let anyone know, I didnt intend to make it look like I blew the OP off. I had (along with many others) answered very many (and very similiar) posts by this individual. I was just trying to get them to start looking on their own, and start their own personal journey on finding their best instrument. Eventually he/she would need to go on their own, and do their own research. I would hate it if he/she were hindered by only having the advice we had to offer, and not gone to very many lengths to learn for themselves. I just believe in advising on subjects where it is difficult to find information, or to just give an opinion. But if they have the ability to do the research on their own, I encourage them to do it themselves and draw their own conclusions, and to be an independant thinker. I was just trying to give them the tools they need to help themself by pointing them in the right direction.

But.... at last.... let this dispute die....

Oh, and I will admit that I do spend too much time on the internet even though I can make my rounds on my usual things (email, this discussion board etc) in about 20 minutes. But, usually I am on early in the morning (before my 8am piano class), or late at night when the music building is closed. So even though it seems that I live on here..... trust me.... I dont. I just get my work done quickly and have nothing better to do late at night when I am not ready to sleep.

[DFlute]

Ok,
so this wind player is trying to be punny...after reading the thread...i have elected to add my two cents...
I am no genius, prodigy, or even proficient player on the flute...I am she who has more dogged determination than any god-given talent. In addition to my shortcomings in the artistry department...I also lack the generous benefactor or parental generosity many on these message boards enjoy.

My points:
1. Flutes are expensive.
2. Musicians are often poor (hence the term starving musician).
3. Many (if not all) of these flutes can be quirky.
4. Feedback is valuable from fellow fluters regarding various models.

I have found some of the best and most helpful information on these boards. Like the original poster of this thread, I find very limited information on the actual flutemaker websites and this is frustrating. It would be just terrific if we could simply order directly from the makers, and be given a real cost rather than having to shell out undisclosed portions of our instrument purchase invoice to numerous middle men.

Regarding parental limitations: Some parents, simply can't afford to shell out thousands for an upgraded flute. Solution: Mow lawns, wash cars, rake leaves, shovel snow, baby sit, tutor...whatever...and earn the money yourself if you really want this flute higher end model. When it is your own hard earned cash that buys that flute, I gaurantee you will respect and appreciate your instrument all the more.

For those of us who do use our own hard-earned money to pay for and maintain our flutes, each dollar is about our precious time and energy allocated to (usually less than artistic employments) work. I think that when we spend this much energy, time, cash on an instrument purchase. the more we can know and gain from other's experiences, the better.

If feedback wasn't important about goods and services, then we wouldn't have publications like consumer reports. (Some of these flutes I have seen cost as much or more than a large household appliance or automobile). I mean...we're shelling out thousands for a length of metal tubing, slabs, wires, cork pieces, and fiber remnants! How many flutes can be made from the metal of one car or truck?

It is important to know of fellow fluters' woodwind woes...from the flute music merchants, mechanics, and makers.

Lastly, my suggestion to future newbie posters: Ask less broad questions. Do your homework first by researching as much as you can on your own. Do a web search for flute brands, check out their websites, talk to your music teachers, fellew students, local musicians. Look in your local music stores. Try as many flutes as you can in your area. See if your school music program has its own instruments (many will) and test the flutes in this collection. Make friends with other school music directors in your hometown (you never know when you might stumble across some school band director that just happens to be a flute expert!!) These people are a treasure at your fingertips in terms of valuable information. Once you find, play, hear about a couple of specific flute models; (taking large breath for end of phrase, at last!)THEN post your specific question here...this might sound something like....

I just tried/heard about/_____a _________model flute...and it seemed really interesting to me because of _____________ and ___________has anyone here owned?played/repaired/had experience with these?

Also, run a search here prior to your post to make certain that your very same question hasn't already been asked/discussed and answered already. If it has...read the discussion and then add your comments/unanswered questions...then your fellow fluters who suffer from really rotten weeks, (like rehearsals filled with arrogant Bass Cleffs/strings who rarely practice, [even though a performance is less than a month away] the materials on their own/show up late/fail to warm up, tune ect. and then accuse the first chairs for playing out of tune.... but I'm not bitter ) will breathe a heavy sigh of relief...and more than likely enjoy your valuable, thoughtful, contributions to these message boards


Although I am a minimal musician, I am an accomplished skeptic

Now I'm ready for bed.!