Powell Vs Muramatsu

[Music_forever]

I would like to see any suggestion for between the DS model ( muramatsu) comparing with the Silver flute of Powell

[flutepicc06]

They're both excellent flutes. Once you get to the fully handmade level (as both of these flutes are), there's no way to say which is better than another. They're all great, but play differently. If you're interested in these flutes go out and play them, along with instruments from Haynes, Brannen, Burkart, Miyazawa, Sankyo, Landell, etc etc.

[atoriphile]

Funny you should ask this because last weekend I went to try flutes and tried a silver handmade Powell and a Muramatsu DS (with both the standard and Tsubasa head joints).

Personally, I preferred the sound and "feel" of the Muramatsu better than the Powell. But again, each person is different.

If you aren't sure about your decision, you could always ask your teacher or a friend to come with you when you try out the flutes to help you decide.

Good luck!

[pied_piper]

I have to agree with the previous responses. Everyone is different, so there is no "right" answer except what plays best for you.

About 9 years ago, I was making the same comparisons. I tried Powell, Muramatsu, and a few others. When I went out trying flutes, I had in my mind that I wanted a Powell, but wanted to keep an open mind. After a hour or so, I had narrowed it down to the Powell or the Muramatsu. I did a blind test where I did not know which instrument I was playing and also had my wife along to listen objectively. In the end, I bought the Muramatsu mostly on the basis of the tone and ease of playing in all registers. The Muramatsu seemed to really allow me to "sing" and project a beautiful sound. The Powell was nice too, but for me, it just wasn't the right choice. Now, that may have been due more to the differences in the headjoint cut than the flute itself, but I've been very happy with my choice.

So, as everyone has said, both are fine instruments. You just need to find out what is right for you. You may find that it is neither of those - just keep an open mind. I highly recommend the blind test where you don't know which instrument you are playing and you don't allow any preconceived notions to influence your decision.

[fluteguy18]

I second everything said thus far, and will give my personal experiance with them. Remember, this is ME, and doesnt neccessarily reflect all encounters with these flutes.

I found Powell flutes to have a very 'sweet' sound. I found Muramatu flutes to be less 'sweet' and more mellow. Between the two, I thought Muramatsu had a deeper tone, and Powell a more shallow sound. I thought that Powell had a wider array of tone colors than Muramatsu.

But, these were observations of MY playing. Once you try them out, the results could easily be exactly the opposite for your style.

Both are great flutes, but they both play VERY differently.

[sidekicker]

When most of us shop for professional flutes we are basically looking for two things: great sound and a reliable, comfortable mechanism structure.

Both Muramatsu and Powell make flutes with excellent mechanisms, and both can be reliably considered to be durable, well-made, instruments. (Although, my own opinion is that nobody beats Brannen in terms of mechanism; but that's another debate for another thread ).

The way a flute sounds (assuming no pad leaks or other mechanical problems), for all practical purposes, is determined by the quality of the head joint. So, since both flutes are mechanically sound and apparently equally comfortable to you, it really comes down to which flute has the better head on it, IMO. Since we haven't played the two flutes you are choosing between, nobody here is going to be able to pick which is better -- even for ourselves. And that's because these are handmade instruments and every Muramatsu is going to be slightly different from other Muramatsus; the same goes for Powell.

But speaking generally, it depends on what you are wanting in sound and versatility. I have found Muramatsus to be good at producing a big projecting sound. But the ones I've played tend to produce just that one big producing sound, and to me it was a "brassy" type sound not appropriate for all the circumstances I would need a flute for. It was difficult for me to get any different colour palette out of a Muramatsu but that one. Powell's, in my experience, are just the opposite. The ones I've played have a marvelous array of colours that can be produced, but don't have the huge projection that a Muramatsu generally has.

If I had to choose based on generalities, I'd lean toward a Powell. But -- as I've openly admitted on here before -- I have a general bias toward Boston style flutes and tend to dislike Japanese models based on my personal comparisons between the two. However, if I had to choose, I'd pick the one that produces the most variation in tone colour. And you are more likely to find that, IMO, in a Powell than a Muramatsu.

Bear in mind, too, that you can always purchase a different head for whichever flute you buy. If you go with a Muramatsu and want more diversity in sound, you can always add a different headjoint. That is becoming much more common these days.

Hope some of this ramble helps .

SK

[foxxyflutegirl]

If it's not my imagination, I've also noticed differences when different people play the same instrument too. I wasn interested in the Maramatsu but heard someone play one & it sounded terrible, airy & strained to me so perhaps I made a hasty judgement call just by listening to that one person. The dealers in my area didn't sell anything other than the standard Artley, Emerson, Yamaha & Gemeinhardt so I really didn't get to test very many but am extremely happy w/my Yammy! Well except for the crappy CY headjoint but that's another story!

[flute_geek684]

If it's not my imagination, I've also noticed differences when different people play the same instrument too. I wasn interested in the Maramatsu but heard someone play one & it sounded terrible, airy & strained to me so perhaps I made a hasty judgement call just by listening to that one person. The dealers in my area didn't sell anything other than the standard Artley, Emerson, Yamaha & Gemeinhardt so I really didn't get to test very many but am extremely happy w/my Yammy! Well except for the crappy CY headjoint but that's another story!

Hah! I have the YFL-684...with the extremely crappy CY headjoint as well. Yamaha did just come out with a new headjoint though and its incredible!! Its a "K" cut- named after Jeff Khaner- its so amazing! And it isn't expensive considering how good it is!!!

[Liwen_gothflute]

Hi!
I am new here, but i can answer your question, I think
I tried over 5 or 6 years ago these model of flute , and, personally, i choose Muramatsu, for me, is more... more... uf, i dont know how say "suave" in english
My teacher has a Power, and she isnt very happy with it...
Sorry for my english... i need to practise.

[MrBaz]

If it's not my imagination, I've also noticed differences when different people play the same instrument too. I wasn interested in the Maramatsu but heard someone play one & it sounded terrible, airy & strained to me so perhaps I made a hasty judgement call just by listening to that one person. The dealers in my area didn't sell anything other than the standard Artley, Emerson, Yamaha & Gemeinhardt so I really didn't get to test very many but am extremely happy w/my Yammy! Well except for the crappy CY headjoint but that's another story!

Hah! I have the YFL-684...with the extremely crappy CY headjoint as well. Yamaha did just come out with a new headjoint though and its incredible!! Its a "K" cut- named after Jeff Khaner- its so amazing! And it isn't expensive considering how good it is!!!

How is the K cut compared to the EC?

[flutegeek1992]

Hi!
I am new here, but i can answer your question, I think
I tried over 5 or 6 years ago these model of flute , and, personally, i choose Muramatsu, for me, is more... more... uf, i dont know how say "suave" in english
My teacher has a Power, and she isnt very happy with it...
Sorry for my english... i need to practise.

Suave=smooth in english. I know what you mean! I LOVE Japanese models, while my old teacher loved Boston models. She would always push me towards Haynes and such...I could never get used to them.

When in doubt about your english, just write the spanish word. A lot of us take spanish in high school, so chances are good that someone can translate what you mean

[fluteguy18]

I recently got back from a Flute Festival, and got to have another go at these flutes...

My NEWEST opinion. Muramatsu was still very smooth and not quite as sweet as the Powells. However, the Powells almost sounded coarse. A sweet tone, but very brash. But, these may have merely been the models I played. None of them were labeled very clearly, so who knows. Both makes were great flutes though.

My two favorite flutes from that convention were a 14k gold Brannen [I actually loved every Brannen there...], and an Aurumite Powell. The Muramatsus were still great as well. But, on the whole, I was happy with the flute I have. I am changing the headjoint out soon though. But on the whole, I am very happy with my flute [a Miyazawa].

[Liwen_gothflute]

When in doubt about your english, just write the spanish word. A lot of us take spanish in high school, so chances are good that someone can translate what you mean

Thank a lot!!