UPDATE: Thanks everybody. I have narrowed my choice to the Di Zhao DZ201 with the split E option or the Pearl PF-505.
I do still have a question. The Di Zhao 201 has open holes which I plan to close with plugs. (The 200 plateau flute has no split E option as does the 201.)
Do silicone or cork plugs get dirty quickly or rot or cause any other problems? I plan to use close holes for quite a while, I think.
************************************************** Could someone please move this to the Flute History and instruments section?Thanks. Lengthy post - sorry!
Back in the seventies I played flute for one year in school. I played around with it while I was in Japan but it never made it home. I'm now 44 and want to pick up playing again since I have a lot of time on my hands. I will mostly play hymns, Christmas music, and cheerful tunes. I can be hard on equipment so I need a sturdy flute. Local shops steered me to pretty low end stuff, even cheaper then what I have in mind or no-name brands, so I'll take my chances on the internet.
I only want to spend $550.00 USD at the very most, as I'm not working. The Artley make I used in junior high seems to not be well regarded nowadays. I'm way to OCD to even consider a used flute so I'm afraid I'm limited to the cheaper new models, but i would like something to grow on.
Based on several videos I won't even consider the Yamaha YSL-221. It sounded a little mechanical to my ears.
Here's my dilemma. I prefer the Gemmie because of the way it sounds but I hear they are truly not recommended due to durability and scale issues. I don't have funds to frequently get the flute adjusted. So I want another brand.
I'm seriously looking into the di Zhao DZ-200 because of rave reviews. It sounded a little strange ('clarinety-toned' or closed in is best I can describe it) on Youtube.
The Trevor James TX-10x was a little breathy (?) to me but the sound was sweet. The Jupiter sounded sweet in some ways but not consistent. It was played by the same player as the Gemmie. The Pearl PF 505E didn't rock my world. It sounded 'muffled' to my ears.
So I need help. Can anyone tell me if the flutes sounded different due to different players or was the sound inherent in the flute models themselves?
Which one would sound more like the Gemmie without being the Gemmie? Or regardless of my nitpicking, which one would have a full, sweet, warm tone, nothing like the Yamahas. Or even a sweet not so full sound? Or is it up to the flutist?
Sorry for the length. I'm a little OCD.
Anyway, I look forward to talking to you all in the coming years!
Terri
Last edited by Quillter on Mon Sep 27, 2010 2:21 pm, edited 4 times in total.
First of all, I would not go totally by what you hear on a youtube video to judge what a flute will sound like. You can tell if a flute may have a bright dark or woody sound. However, there are a lot of things that can cause an airy or stuffy sound. How the video was recorded for one. Mostly the player. For example, I sound airy on a Gemmy. Mainly because of the head joint more than anything. I can change the head joint and that airy sound goes away. I have even recorded the same flute on different microphones and changed the way it sounded.
Here are some excerpts from a previous thread on this very subject.
Get a nice used flute from a reputable dealer.
Learn how to play it.
THen when you get too good for it, save your money and buy a nice new one.
You are not going to find a new Yamaha for under $750. Since you specified a Yamaha, then I gave you what resources I had for Yamahas. However, you can get an NEW Armstrong 104, or a Gemeinhardt 2SP for $250 to $500 dollars depending where you buy it. There are also many other brands like Jupiter, Barrington, Prelude, Trevor James etc.. that you can get for under $500 as well. Check these out as an example.....
There are many flutes that are new to choose from for the money you wish to spend.
and
You can easily find USED STUDENT MODELS for under $400.
Yamaha YFL225
Yamaha YFL221
Pearl PF-501
Pearl PF-505
Jupiter JFL-507S
Jupiter JFL-511S
Jupiter CEF-510(I own this one. This one has the most intermediate features!)
Emerson ELD
Emerson EF6
Trevor James TJF-10X2C
Antigua Winds A-375-SP
CE Woodwinds Alpha Series Flute Low B(Another one that has intermediate features)
The only way you know if a flute is right for you is to play on it. If you can record yourself while you are trying out the flute, that is icing on the cake! If you buy on line, try dealing with a place that has a good return policy or trial period. Gemmies are OK, and I have owned a couple of them. I maybe could live with having one, but it is not a brand that I prefer. I am sure others will chime in on this, so stay tuned.
For student model instruments I generally recommend the Jupiter, Yamaha and Armstrong Models. The Yamaha is probably out of your range. You can find some good deals on the Jupiter on http://www.fluteworld.com (Who has by the way re-vamped their site recently!). I know that you can also get a good deal at the Armstrong 104 as well. They're sturdy and good for what you're wanting. However....
If I had to recommend ANY entry level flute, it would have to be Pearl's student model. The Quantz 505E. Or at least I think that's it. They were showing it at the NFA Convention in Anaheim this year and I tried it. I don't know if it's the old model and it's been revised, or if it is a completely new model (maybe Joe can shed some light on this?), but regardless of that... it's fantastic.
Honestly... I wouldn't mind playing on one myself as a backup or as a flute for less than 'ideal' gigs. Not that I would want it as a junker flute, but as a really sturdy instrument that plays well.
Thanks everybody. I have narrowed my choice to the Di Zhao DZ201 with the split E option or the Pearl PF-505.
I do still have a question. The Di Zhao 201 has open holes which I plan to close with plugs. (The 200 plateau flute has no split E option as does the 201.)
Do silicone or cork plugs get dirty quickly or rot or cause any other problems? I plan to use close holes for quite a while, I think.
I used silicone plugs when I switched to an open hole flute and never had an issues with them. However, it is generally a good practice to make sure your hands are clean before playing the flute at any rate. Oils and dirt form your hands (and lotions!) will help to deteriorate the flute faster and with an open hole flute, when you do take out the plugs, dirt will collect on the walls of the holes, which aside from anything else is just gross
I also had a teacher who used hand sanitizer on his hands anytime he was going to pick up one of his instruments. That is probably taking things a bit further than strictly needed though still not a bad idea
If you put silicone plugs in they will discolor a little bit with age, but not a lot. The cork plugs will turn dark, but won't deteriorate either. You should be fine either way if you get that flute. Plugs are cheap and easily replaced.
fluteguy18 wrote:For student model instruments I generally recommend the Jupiter, Yamaha and Armstrong Models. The Yamaha is probably out of your range. You can find some good deals on the Jupiter on http://www.fluteworld.com (Who has by the way re-vamped their site recently!). I know that you can also get a good deal at the Armstrong 104 as well. They're sturdy and good for what you're wanting. However....
If I had to recommend ANY entry level flute, it would have to be Pearl's student model. The Quantz 505E. Or at least I think that's it. They were showing it at the NFA Convention in Anaheim this year and I tried it. I don't know if it's the old model and it's been revised, or if it is a completely new model (maybe Joe can shed some light on this?), but regardless of that... it's fantastic.
Honestly... I wouldn't mind playing on one myself as a backup or as a flute for less than 'ideal' gigs. Not that I would want it as a junker flute, but as a really sturdy instrument that plays well.
Yeap! I was so hurt when my Quantz 665 was stolen. The 505E plays almost identical. The 665 was my main workhorse for years. The only thing I would have changed was the head joint.
FYI, the only difference between the Quantz 505E, and the 665 are...
1. The head joint on the 665 is solid silver
2. The 505E has a split E
3. The 665 has a B Foot, to 505E does not.
4. The 505E is a Closed hole, the 665 is an open hole.(I think the PF525 is an open hole)
fluteguy18 wrote:For student model instruments I generally recommend the Jupiter, Yamaha and Armstrong Models. The Yamaha is probably out of your range. You can find some good deals on the Jupiter on http://www.fluteworld.com (Who has by the way re-vamped their site recently!). I know that you can also get a good deal at the Armstrong 104 as well. They're sturdy and good for what you're wanting. However....
If I had to recommend ANY entry level flute, it would have to be Pearl's student model. The Quantz 505E. Or at least I think that's it. They were showing it at the NFA Convention in Anaheim this year and I tried it. I don't know if it's the old model and it's been revised, or if it is a completely new model (maybe Joe can shed some light on this?), but regardless of that... it's fantastic.
Honestly... I wouldn't mind playing on one myself as a backup or as a flute for less than 'ideal' gigs. Not that I would want it as a junker flute, but as a really sturdy instrument that plays well.
Yeap! I was so hurt when my Quantz 665 was stolen. The 505E plays almost identical. The 665 was my main workhorse for years. The only thing I would have changed was the head joint.
FYI, the only difference between the Quantz 505E, and the 665 are...
1. The head joint on the 665 is solid silver
2. The 505E has a split E
3. The 665 has a B Foot, to 505E does not.
4. The 505E is a Closed hole, the 665 is an open hole.(I think the PF525 is an open hole)
Phineas, did you report it to Larry Krantz' stolen flute list? It's not often, but some people do have luck recovering their stolen flutes via that list.
Kshel wrote:Phineas, did you report it to Larry Krantz' stolen flute list? It's not often, but some people do have luck recovering their stolen flutes via that list.
I'm now 44 and want to pick up playing again since I have a lot of time on my hands. I will mostly play hymns, Christmas music, and cheerful tunes. I can be hard on equipment so I need a sturdy flute. Local shops steered me to pretty low end stuff, even cheaper then what I have in mind or no-name brands, so I'll take my chances on the internet. 
