My Pearl "Patchwork" Flute

[JasonTongRulz]

Yeah, that's what I'm calling it!~

I'm going to buy a Pearl 665 RBE CODA (For the CODA package - that's the most important part to me), chuck away the stock Student Cut and buy a Handcut Pearl Headjoint.

So far I have found the "Body" and "Headjoint" of my Patchwork Flute cheapest here: http://music2master.com/as_Pearl-Quantz ... uctID=1859 and here: http://music2master.com/as_Pearl-Flute- ... uctID=1315

Is the site a Reputable dealer? And sorry to sound.. very cheap, but have you seen it online cheaper? (The Quantz 665 RBE CODA and the Headjoints) I'm on a very tight budget and I do not wish to buy Second Hand unless I save more than $500.

The only problem, is I don't know which one to get.

I've noticed that the Headjoints can only be bought as Solid or Pristine Silver, and Gold or Rose Gold with varying purities. Is it possible to purchase one of these Headjoints with a Solid Gold Lip? (So my Patchwork Flute looks like a Coda Flute?)

I'm asking for your opinion on which Pearl Headjoint is the best.

At the moment, I really like the Calore headjoint but I've only had the opportunity to try that one (My Local Flute shop had to Order it for me to try out)

So, which Pearl Headjoint do you like the most and why?

For Clarification they are:

FORTE
This headjoint is a crowning achievement for Pearl. This headjoint is designed for large orchestras and concert halls. The Forte is very responsive, and produces a dark centered tone and enables a wide dynamic spectrum throughout the entire range of the instrument.

VIVO
This headjoint combines its own, graceful embouchure plate with modern undercutting techniques. It is easily controlled and produces an open and clear tone. The Vivo sound is silky smooth and ideal for chamber situations.

VIVACE
This headjoint features a finely crafted combination of our Forte and Vivo cuts offering slightly more resistance than Forte.

CALORE
A perfect blend of powerful tone, effortless articulation and exceptional dynamic range.

Or is my Pearl "Patchwork" Flute not a good idea? Would you suggest another Flute? I am a big Fan of Pearl Flutes.

I plan to play in my school's Marching Bands, Orchestra and Concert Bands. So I'll be using this Flute a lot.

I'm very sorry for my huge barrage of questions and Thank you Very Much in Advance!

[pied_piper]

Pearl flutes are a good choice. I play a Muramatsu, but I have tried a few Pearls and like them very much. Even the PF501 student flute is quite nice - I have one for a backup flute and for playing outside.

You may have heard this before, but it bears repeating. You have to try the headjoints to know what works for you. My favorite analogy is that headjoints are like shoes. I wear a size 11. Do you? You see, you'll be uncomfortable if it's not a good fit, and the only way to know if it fits is to try it on for size. What fits me MIGHT fit you, but it probably won't. So, while everyone has an opinion of what is the "best" headjoint, their opinion is only relevant for themselves...

[fluteguy18]

I have always thought that online orders with handmade instruments are kind of risky. Not that I haven't done that before (with my piccolo), but rather I probably wouldn't be so anxious to do it again now that I know better.

With handcut headjoints you're definitely taking a risk. I would see if there is a return policy in case you don't like it. From what I see on their website, there doesn't seem to be one. If you know you like this model flute (regardless of which exact flute you get), I would recommend getting the headjoint elsewhere. Their page about 'why to buy from us' seems like a good thing, but in all honesty it just appears to be more of a gimmick to me. There are solid reasons why flutes are sent out on trial. Furthermore if a flute is having trouble getting sold, it sends a clear message not only to the dealer, but to the manufacturer about quality. Every company is going to make a few 'lemons' and the flute in that story seems to be one. And dealers make sure that everything is in proper working order before the instrument is sold, and furthermore every flute ever sold is 'used.' Quality control requires testers to play the instruments at the place of manufacture.

I understand budget restraints. I really do. But I personally would go with a more reliable way of getting a good flute.

If you go through Fluteworld for example, you could possibly get a better deal. You would be getting a company that lends their flutes on trial (meaning you can return it, without question if you don't like it), a company that discounts their instruments almost as much, and you might get them to sell the body/foot without the headjoint at a lower cost and then buy the headjoint.

A good flute is an investment and worth the wait in my opinion.

[JasonTongRulz]

Okay, thank you very much for your help!~

Also, I'm wondering, is Pristine Silver really that much better than Sterling Silver?

[fluteguy18]

Eh. The whole material vs. sound thing again. It's hard to say. Most of the sound of a flute comes from the design and craftsmanship. I however feel that there is a difference in the way they play (but not always in the sound produced). But as for Pristine Silver vs. Sterling? I don't know. It's a very personal thing. I felt that there were differences, but as to what the audience would hear, I don't know if it would be audible.

You should check out the videos of James Galway and Nina Perlove on Youtube. They have flute demos where it's all in black and white. You get to hear several flutes and see if you can hear a difference between the metals. The verdict: inconclusive. No one could tell which ones they all were, but some you could guess... sort of.

With Galway the flute I liked best ended up being the flute he played while in Berlin. With Nina (she played several different versions of the same flute/headjoint combo at the Burkart factory), I liked a gold/platinum combo the best.

[JButky]

Yeah, that's what I'm calling it!~

I'm going to buy a Pearl 665 RBE CODA (For the CODA package - that's the most important part to me), chuck away the stock Student Cut and buy a Handcut Pearl Headjoint.

So far I have found the "Body" and "Headjoint" of my Patchwork Flute cheapest here: http://music2master.com/as_Pearl-Quantz ... uctID=1859 and here: http://music2master.com/as_Pearl-Flute- ... uctID=1315

That headjoint is not the one you think. The price is for a TPH6 the standard sterling silver headjoint. The Pro Japan cuts are more expensive than that link. You would be throwing away the more expensive headjoint (with 10K Gold lip) to purchase the same student headjoint cut in all sterling.

I would recommend that you contact our dealer for more information first.

Those Handcut Japan made Pearl Pro Flute headjoints you mention currently are $950 and there is a price increase coming January 1st. So please confirm what headjoint you are trying to order.

[JasonTongRulz]

Okay, thank you very much for your advice!~

At the moment I really like the Calore Headjoint in Sterling Silver so I think I'll be ordering that one but I'm not too sure which wall thickness I should get..

[JButky]

Okay, thank you very much for your advice!~

At the moment I really like the Calore Headjoint in Sterling Silver so I think I'll be ordering that one but I'm not too sure which wall thickness I should get..

If you are putting it on a 665 you should get the standard thickness (.40mm). Heavy wall is going to be way too big to fit or modify.

[JasonTongRulz]

Yay! Thank you very much sir!

Is it worth the money to buy a Gold Lip Plate and Riser?

I know the Lip Plate is cosmetic but is the riser worth it? Can you really hear a difference in the sound?

[fluteguy18]

You're confused. Gold PLATED lip plate is cosmetic. (Technicians and salespeople will generally deflect this question by asking 'well, try it and tell me what you think?). You're talking about a solid gold lip when you get the gold riser and lip. There's a big difference. As to whether it is worth it... you have to try it. Studies about whether or not the material makes a sound difference are inconclusive. What IS conclusive is that the player makes the sound/tone and not the flute. James Galway will always sound like himself whether or not he is playing a $100,000 platinum flute or a $10 ebay special. But players often have very strong opinions about different metals. If you've never tried it then you simply cannot make a decision with any accuracy. You HAVE to try them to find what suits you. There's no way around it. And with handcut headjoints... just because you like one Caloré doesn't mean that you will like any other Caloré headjoints. Each one is different.

When making the step in instrument quality that you are, you simply can't do it blindly hoping for optimum results. It doesn't work that way.

[andy957]

I'm not budding in or offering any good advice here but just wanted to say that this thread is what makes Fluteland great. The advice and information given is worth a lot, and you guys are really terrific to be so patient and answer our questions in such detail and in such an honest fashion, based on your experience.

Thanks!

[JasonTongRulz]

I'm not too sure about purchasing a Professional Cut Headjoint now so I've narrowed it down to:

The Pearl 665RBE Coda and the Pearl 695RB Coda

Both are the same price at Fluteworld for $1,495

So is the Split E Mechanism really necessary? Or the Forza Headjoint?

Do you think the Split E Mechanism really makes a difference?

I've tried a Flute with one but I haven't really noticed the difference. Or have I just used it wrong or something?

And I have Big hands but I'm used to playing on an Offset G. Do you think the Inline G will be more comfortable for me?

http://fluteworld.com/index.php?action= ... 2&ppk=flut

^ 665

http://fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=57242

Thanks very much in advance!

695

[Phineas]

I'm not too sure about purchasing a Professional Cut Headjoint now so I've narrowed it down to:

The Pearl 665RBE Coda and the Pearl 695RB Coda

Both are the same price at Fluteworld for $1,495

So is the Split E Mechanism really necessary? Or the Forza Headjoint?

Do you think the Split E Mechanism really makes a difference?

I've tried a Flute with one but I haven't really noticed the difference. Or have I just used it wrong or something?

And I have Big hands but I'm used to playing on an Offset G. Do you think the Inline G will be more comfortable for me?

http://fluteworld.com/index.php?action= ... 2&ppk=flut

^ 665

http://fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=57242

Thanks very much in advance!

695

First off, a lot of what you are asking can be found in the FAQ


So is the Split E Mechanism really necessary?
Split E is a mixed blessing. It helps as long as you use standard fingerings, but does not allow you to use some alternate fingerings.

Or the Forza Headjoint?
The Forza is just one of the more popular pro-cut headjoints that Pearl makes.

Do you think the Inline G will be more comfortable for me?
It is a matter of preference. I have big hands and have flutes with offset and inline G. Get what feels the best to you.

IMHO, you may be expecting too much from us on the board. Fluteguy18 has given you the best solution for choosing the right model. You are just going to have to play the d&&& thang! Have you ever been on a blind date? They all have a good personality....lol You would never marry a blind date sight/experience unseen would you? Choosing a flute without playing on it is like marrying a blind date.

Once you play on them, you can determine for your self what the features on them will do for you.

Good Hunting Jason

Phineas

[JButky]

As you can see, I work for Pearl, and I will repeat what everyone else has said. You've got to play them because you've got to live with it. What works...works. You'll eventually have a preference, but you've got to play them.

[JButky]

Yay! Thank you very much sir!

Is it worth the money to buy a Gold Lip Plate and Riser?

I know the Lip Plate is cosmetic but is the riser worth it? Can you really hear a difference in the sound?

Forgot to mention. Lip plates on Quantz model or Dolce/ Elegante Pearl flutes are always solid 10K gold, never plated. And given the price of gold, it does add quite a bit to the price.