Sankyo cf201-muramatsu EX, which one?

[melodydad]

Although I did not try the Muramatsu, I bought a Sankyo CF201 back in November and am very pleased with it.

At that time, I tried a Miyazawa, Altus and one or two others and the Sankyo was the only one that knocked me out right away. (My previous flute having been a TJ Privilege, so quite a step up).

Over the past few months, I can tell you that it offers a lot in terms of both sound and dynamic control - it is a joy to play!

Hope this helps . . . .

[Phineas]

Both of those instruments are about the same quality The main difference is the Headjoint. I when I bought my Miyazawa, I did a side by side comparison with the Sankyo and the Muramatsu. The only reason I did not get te Muramatsu was the headjoint. The Muramatsu was not a very easy headjoint to control. I was not willing to take the time to learn it, so I got the Miyazawa instead. In my opinion, the Sankyo was the easiest headjoint to play on out of the 3.

I guess based on my experience, for the long term, the Muramatsu has the superior headjoint. If you want just to get on it and play, the Sankyo would be better. If you consider a Miyazawa, it is about the middle of the road between the other 2.

Your miliage may vary!

Phineas

[fluteguy18]

It's all about personal taste. If you like the Sankyo better, get the Sankyo. But the Mura probably has the most flexible headjoint of the two which may or may not be what you are wanting.

[Rossweisse]

Hullo, All.

I am reviving this topic because I am looking forward to having the same 'problem' in the near future. I am seeking to upgrade from my Pearl, whom I love dearly. The Muramatsu EX and Sankyo CF 201 (RT-1 head) are somewhere between Flute World and here. I've played flute with various levels of seriousness for 30+ years and have working toward playing oboe for about 6 months. So, this is more an oboe issue than flute issue.

Okay, I know the drill and wild horses wouldn't keep me from playing the daylights out of the flutes, both whilst knowing which is which and blind. I've also lined up others to do the same (extroverts take surveys rather than trusting their perceptions, you know).

All that aside, I am wondering to what extent the other heads will fit on my Pearl. The new flutes are inline and my current flute is offset. I sometimes forget to keep my fingers aligned on Canard Rigoutat, my oboe, with unpleasant sounding results. I hope an inline flute to help remedy this. Yet, on another hand, I also want to the option of playing my Pearl with offset G and a better headjoint. (My oboe teacher thinks the solution is to just not play flute. I disagree rather strongly.)

I know I fill find out soon enough whether either head fits but am seeking instant gratification from you all. Undying gratitude, if anyone will indulge me?

[Zevang]

What could I say? I own them both. Actually, my EX is my backup flute and the Sankyo, which is my principal flute, is a K14, not so different from the 201 though. I just love them both and I would be in serious trouble if I had to choose between them.

As said before, the main difference are the headjoints. That is where my confusion begins. There are times when I prefer the EX and sometimes the K14 seems to be the best. I really feel privileged in having the opportunity of choosing the one I'll play according to the moment. But, once more, if I had to choose one, it would be very difficult...

Therefore I could say positively that either one will be a good pick.

[Rossweisse]

Thank you, Zevang. I hope I am able to choose.

R

[Rossweisse]

So far this seems an easier than expected choice. I love the Muramatsu. It has a wonderfully strong low register, absolutely nails the high notes, and fits my hands. The head fits my Pearl, too. I don't sound quite as good on the Sankyo and have to be more thoughtful about covering the keys. That is contrary to my expectations as I have read from more than one source that Muramatsu takes more skill and adaptation than some makes. To me it seemed the perfect bonding of woman and machine. Of course, I have a few more days to play the flutes and compare and contrast and all. Maybe it is a fluke that each time I pick up the Mura I am enraptured and enchanted at how fabulous I sound. Then again, I was also able to make a nearly instant decision between Canard Rigoutat and another oboe (but spent a few more days confirming).

[Rossweisse]

It's probably no surprise that I have a Muramatsu now, in addition to my Pearl. We bonded and I sound fabulous. I do not understand what I keep seeing about wildness of the Muramatsu head, it has been quite cooperative, if not downright enthusiastic. "E3, you say? C4? Fine, let's go." and we absolutely nail it ever single time so far.

So, my question for Zevang, and anyone else with a Sankyo, is what do you experience that I did not? I just simply did not sound that great and did not feel joyous playing it. Not only that, there was a really annoying click from the key pads. Is that a normal thing or was the Sankyo I had on trial an anomalous lemon?

[MissyHPhoenix]

I don't think it's a matter of you not experiencing what Sankyo lovers experience -- you got the flute that was the right match for you, and it was not the Sankyo. I've played a friend's Muramatsu and I thought it was nice, but it didn't thrill me like my Sankyo does. Guess you just have to find the one that rocks your boat.

About the clicking -- my keys don't do that, so can't explain it

Enjoy your new flute!

[Zevang]

For me they are just the same! Let me explain though, not the same per se. What I mean is that even after adapting my playing to one or the other, I can get the same amount of pleasure and comfort in playing both my Sankyo K-14 and my Mura EX. I don't know if it's just me, but I really don't feel much difference in playing them, even knowing that I have to change a bit the configuration of my embouchure, since the EX has a Tsubasa headjoint, and in the Sankyo I use a Nagahara head (not to mention that I keep the original NRS-1, which I also love to play with by the way).

Now about what's different, the main difference I can tell is of course the weight. The Sankyo weights way more than the EX. After having problems of showder pain, I adopted some new habits and it's finally over. However there were days when I simply could not play the Sankyo, and the EX came into the scene to "save" me.

The other difference I feel is that I can blow harder on the Sankyo without cracking the sound (with both the Nagahara and NRS-1). She tolerates me more than the EX would. I tend to get a rounder, more clear sound with the EX, on the other hand. It's very funny, because it's said that gold flutes can get you a darker and colorful sound, and I feel exactly the opposite!

Well, again I'd say it would get me into serious trouble if I had to choose between them.

But just to get out from words and going more into the practical side, take a look at those two videos:

First with my Sankyo and original NRS1 headjoint:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_qIktf8xFs

In this one I used the EX with a wooden headjoint by DiZhao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnppPAN5iEY

Hope this helps

P.S. And about the "clicking" you mentioned, it's a function of the pads, the type and what kind of materials used to make them. They are not related to the brand or material of the flute. You can easily change them using the service of a good technician.

[Rossweisse]

Good point, Missy. It is a matter of getting the right combination of woman and machine. If we were all made the same and played the same, the market would be much less diverse.

Zevang, Ta for sharing your videos. You are fabulous! (Apparently I have a strong bias as I thought your Mura sounded better than your Sankyo. Maybe it was the wonderful wooden head?)

I suspected the clicking was probably due to the type of pads so thanks also for confirmation. If I had loved how I sounded and how it felt, I would have treated the Sankyo to a Spa Day with my favorite repair tech.

[Zevang]

Thanks very much

When I chose this wooden headjoint, I had another one to try. My choice was based on the fact that I didn't want a wooden head that sounded like a metal one, so I ended up with this one.
What I like most about the headjoints I own is that they are very different from each other. This gives me the possibility of varying my tone according to the situation. I understand that this is a completely personal preference. I have many experienced and professional colleagues that stick with one and only one headjoint practically for life.
I think I like the challenge of having to practice and adapt to another headjoint every time I change them.

[fluteguy18]

Beautifully Played Zevang!

[Zevang]

Thanks fluteguy!

[cflutist]

Zevang,

Really great playing and beautiful tone.
Do you find that playing your Sankyo requires more effort than your Muramatsu?
I've noticed that my shoulder aches more when I play my Brannen, plus it requires more
air stream than my Haynes.