Yamaha 561H

[lcamhi]

Does anyone have experience with this flute? I believe the model was discontinued but I have the opportunity to purchase one (made circa 1999, but only lightly used) at what seems like a very good price.
The back story--my teenage son began teaching me to play the flute during quarantine last Spring. I have been using the flute he first learned on, a Gemeinhardt, entry-level, student model. made circa 1969, which was given to us by a family member. It's leaky but still quite playable. We purchased him a step-up flute, a Yamaha 481, (silver, open holes, B-foot) which we got used from the Flute Center, a few years ago when he decided that he wanted to continue playing in high school. He'll be off to college next year, and though he won't be a music major, the college has a reputedly excellent symphonic band that he is likely to join.
I've made a lot of progress since the spring but I believe my playing would significantly improve with a better instrument. The Gemenhardt is currently out for a tune-up/repair, though, and I have been using my son's Yamaha 481 to practice. I do hear a difference in tone--richer, fuller--but I also find that, in addition to getting used to the open holes (because my son long ago lost the plugs), hitting some of the low notes can be tricky and in general the flute requires more air to manage. So I'm concerned that the Yamaha 561H would be even trickier.
The other idea would be to purchase the Yamaha 561H for my son (would that be a significant step-up for him?) and for me to start using his 481 regularly.
Any thoughts appreciated.

[hybcomeon]

Hello,

I have been using the 511 and 514 models for a while. These two models were produced in different years. 514 is the next generation of 511. Model 481 is produced by machinery, but production of 581 is semi-manual. I think the 581 would be better than the 481 in terms of sound quality but sound styles are the same because their headjoints are both CY.