Thoughts on the "Odyssey" Flute so far

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:05 pm

Been playing the flute now for almost 3 months learning myself, with the "Odyssey" flute. At 1st I thought the sound was ok the lower C + mid E were a little funny and still are, but whilst playing friends flute I have no problems, she also has problems hitting those notes on mine. But i'm assumbing its the pads not seating correctly, cheap brand. The flute is silver plated... from the condition of it now the headjoint lip plate I can see copper comming through and has in one section near the edge I only have ever used a very soft microfibre rag (lint free) to clean the flute no pollish, and the silver plate is just wearing off, other parts of the flute are going black near the tube ends but looks under the plaiting. The sound I have noticed isn't as pure as my friends 3 years old flute think its a Yammi but not too sure what model. Am getting how to say a resinance in some notes now. The pads on my flute still sound how to say stryine like as if wet / sticky. Admittantly I cannot recommend this brand of flute to anyone, cus in the sort amount of time I have owned it having the sound deteriate + silver plate comming off + pad issue isn't good and yes I did espect better. So in this respect anyone thinking of purchasing a "Odyssey" flute I wouldn't recommend it. Just being honnist. Perhaps this is a one off but i'm stuck with it now untill I can afford something else. Just trying to make do with what I have got.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:04 am

Just a quick update, been out yesterday and bought a 2nd hand Pearl PF-505 RE which has only been used once, as the chap didn't get on with the open hole design. Put the plugs in and wow, it sounds so much better than the Odyssey. Easier to play also the french style keys fantastic. One thing which I did notice the head joint is slightly different to the Odyssey so I have to get use to that, + its ALOT lighter to hold. Hopefully I can recoup some money by selling off the Odssey cheap and getting some more music books. But yeah very impressed with the Pearl. Not too sure what the differences between the models are Pearl PF-505 "RE" unless anyone knows. Also could a B-foot be fitted to this flute ?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:42 am

Congrats on your purchase! The Pearl 505 is a pretty good step up flute. You can have a B foot fitted, but keep in mind that it is pretty expensive to buy just a footjoint. I would not recommend finding a second hand foot from a different brand and having it fitted.

Info on 505 RE - silver plated step-up flute with a split-e mech.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:44 am

Thanxs fluttiegurl. Have to admit with the Pearls smaller lip plate hole i'm having to learn my playin to compensate for a more narrower air delivery as the Odyssey's was a little bigger. Just waiting for the flute pads to settle in on the Pearl flute, been playing alot of songs to test the range is getting better all the time

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:30 pm

Assuming the pads have been installed properly, you should not have to wait for them to "settle." What are they doing (or not doing) that makes you think this is necessary?

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:08 pm

can't explain it just playing both side by side there is more tone with the pearl but sounds slightly muffled. I'll try and do some recordings simple tunes on both flutes later on. I've taken out the bungs played open hole not alot of difference TBH.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:13 pm

nasxxx wrote:can't explain it just playing both side by side there is more tone with the pearl but sounds slightly muffled. I'll try and do some recordings simple tunes on both flutes later on. I've taken out the bungs played open hole not alot of difference TBH.

No, there wouldn't be any difference. Those holes have no impact on tone...They're only good for pitch shading, extended effects (glisses, multiphonics, etc.), and some notes in the 4th octave. Most players really have no use for them. Anyway, it sounds like you just need some time to adjust to the Pearl. If the pads weren't operating correctly, you'd have a hard time playing notes, or would get a particularly airy sound. With some work to adjust to the headjoint on the Pearl, you should be able to eliminate any "muffled" effect you're experiencing now. After all, you can't expect to get the best out of a flute right off the bat...That's why some folks play the same instrument for decades.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:28 am

You right just need to become more accustom to it. Have to admit at the moment I do perfer a bigger lip hole, perhaps its the case of retraining my lips to the smaller one.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:16 am

Been a while since i've posted. Well i've done somethign stupid and dropped the Pearl on the ground not good, had prices for reapair but is more than what I have payed for it. But have managed to get a Trevor James Cantabile III (C Flute) closed hole for a bargain price, wish it was open hole, but might upgrade the body and foot joint later. Has really good tone.
One thing I did notice from the 3 flutes I ownd
the Oddssey was the longest, then the Pearl then the TJ, all 3 produce different sounds, the TJ is easier than the Pearl at hitting the lowe C and C sharp but the Pearl I find is slightly better with the higher notes, but then the TJ is a new flute so i'm learning again on it.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:32 am

ouch

I'm glad you found another flute to play though.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:06 am

I must be the luckist person kinda, through a friend of a friend knows a ex flute tech. Said he would fix the Pearl for me but as a one off, so I payed £20 roughly $40USD got it back, and its repadded, no rattles any more what ever that noise was is fixed..., so happy, plays perfectly. Chap was about 70 lives 30 mins away from where I am, picked it up Yesterday, great to have ti playing as it should do, i'm never gonna drop it again, even the dent has been pollished out so chuffed.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:37 pm

YAY!!!!!

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:10 am

Can't believe it dropped the flute again (The Pearl) this time the head joint has taken a ding as it landed on the metal dumbar ends NOT GOOD, lucky thou only a small dent just under the crown

, hasn't effected the tone throughout the register thankfully, but means I will have to get a new head joint later on for it. That will teach me a lesson trying to rest it on the floor propped up against the bed rather than use the flute stand my bad..................

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:29 am

nasxxx wrote:Can't believe it dropped the flute again (The Pearl) this time the head joint has taken a ding as it landed on the metal dumbar ends NOT GOOD, lucky thou only a small dent just under the crown , hasn't effected the tone throughout the register thankfully, but means I will have to get a new head joint later on for it. ....

A small dent doesn't mean you need a new headjoint. A good flute repair technician should be able to remove the dent for a lot less than the cost of a new headjoint. If the dent is more or less round (no sharp creases), it can be removed and you probably won't see any blemishes after-the-fact. If there's a crease in the dent, there may be a small blemish left after the dent is removed. Either way, it won't affect the playability of the headjoint.

Since it's near the crown, you might need a new cork. If it bent the cork stopper "frame" (the metal discs on each end of the cork), that might need to be replaced too, but that's still cheaper than a new headjoint....