Loud bass flutes out there?

[wkzh]

I noticed that threads on bass flutes are less common.

I was thinking of buying a bass flute. The problem with low flutes, I know, is that they usually lack volume. A big factor is in the headjoint design, and that depends solely on who makes it, and varies from head to head. I'm pretty sure Kotato and Kingma make magic (the new Kotato F subcontrabass as reviewed by Sheridan apparently packs some serious punch, and if you look at the headjoint cut... you can tell that it's engineered to shoot things down), but I think I might settle for a Pearl or diMedici given the $$ constraints.

I'm a player who'd like to roar my low notes out when volume is needed. I currently play on a Muramatsu concert flute and it roars fine, but my only experience with a lower flute would be a Sankyo alto with a curved head, and I can say that the volume was least impressive (even with many days of coaxing). Any comments on which bass head possesses sufficient firepower in its low register?

[fluteguy18]

Honestly, out of all of the low flutes I have tried, the Pearl lineup (alto and bass) have consistently been my favorites hands down. They're responsive, have volume, and are comfortable in the hands. There are of course other great flutes in that price range, but these are my personal favorites.

[wkzh]

They're responsive, have volume, and are comfortable in the hands.

Haha that's the difference that matters! Heehee I noticed that every thread you've replied that has something to do with bass flutes, it's pro-Pearl. How about intonation?

I think I'd be more interested in knowing the gap between Pearl and Kotato and Kingma.

[cflutist]

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:11:20 -0600
From: Chris Potter <cpotter@MAC.COM>
Subject: Annual recommendation of altos and basses

List,

I try as many new altos and basses at the NFA Convention as time allows. Here are my recommendations for 2010-11. More info on my website altoflute.net.


Alto Flutes

Models under $3000 (most come with curved and/or straight heads)

Dean Yang
diMedici
DiZhao
Jupiter
Pearl
Sonare (sterling head model - straight head only)
Trevor James

Models between $3001 and $5000
Altus
diMedici
Trevor James

Models above $5000

Eva Kingma - has an open-hole model - straight head only
Miyazawa - straight head only
Yamaha - I don't like the bright tone of this gold-brass alloy, but otherwise this is a fine instrument


Bass Flutes

Di Zhao includes trill keys. At $2100, a bargain! (dizhaoflutes.com)
Pearl - $3500-ish
diMedici horizontal model ($3900-ish) and vertical model($4600-ish). I prefer the sound of the horizontal model. The vertical model still requires a VERY uncomfortable stretch of the right hand to be able to reach the foot-joint keys, but then, I do have short arms. Floor peg support has
improved over last year.
Altus ($7500) Gorgeous sound.
Eva Kingma has horizontal model with a glorious sound ($9700). Also has small and large bore available and a very comfortable vertical bass.
Kotato extra large bore produces a huge tone. With b foot. Has a very practical and flexible graphite rod that holds the flute up. ($12,000)


Chris Potter
Chair, NFA Low Flutes Committee
www.altoflute.net

[wkzh]

Bass Flutes

Di Zhao includes trill keys. At $2100, a bargain! (dizhaoflutes.com)
Pearl - $3500-ish
diMedici horizontal model ($3900-ish) and vertical model($4600-ish). I prefer the sound of the horizontal model. The vertical model still requires a VERY uncomfortable stretch of the right hand to be able to reach the foot-joint keys, but then, I do have short arms. Floor peg support has
improved over last year.
Altus ($7500) Gorgeous sound.
Eva Kingma has horizontal model with a glorious sound ($9700). Also has small and large bore available and a very comfortable vertical bass.
Kotato extra large bore produces a huge tone. With b foot. Has a very practical and flexible graphite rod that holds the flute up. ($12,000)

Yes, I've read that page before, thanks anyway, but I wasn't sure whether she was implying that if Altus was "gorgeous," Kingma "glorious" and Kotato "huge" then Pearl was contrary to that; after all, they're all recommended. I have good reason to think that it's uninformative, perhaps even biased.

[MissyHPhoenix]

Well, look at the gap in price -- if I was going to pay that much for a bass or alto flute, I would surely demand it to be "glorious" etc. I've never played a $9000 + flute of any type -- I'd be afraid to because I think I'd fall in love and then pine away wanting it! But then, I don't have to because I am truly in love with my Prima Sankyo and feel no need for another one. But then again, I have to modify what I just said -- more money doesn't always equal better product. It really depends on what fits you. I would think that the Altus and Kingman basses should be of superior quality because I THINK those are hand-made, but not sure of that. Also, the writer of the article is a professional low flute performer, so I'd expect that she can make a lead pipe sound good, but I've always heard that she is spot-on with her critiques.

[saxhorn]

I have a fantastic selection of flutes in my shop. Checkout the website. I carry DiZhao, Azumi, and Pearl flutes.

Best
Al
Al Asmus Band Instruments

[Kshel]

I think Altus flutes are just "handmade" enough to call themselves handmade. Some parts of them are machined. At least, this is what I heard.

Di Zhao makes incredible flutes. I actually got to meet him and try out his flutes at a fair, and they all project volume. It's like an affordable, plated Muramatsu.