Powell Aurumite vs Aurumite II

[Tom144]

Hello!

Just need some feedback about the Powell Aurumite II Headjoints. There is one being offered and am wondering if they are great or what, it raises questions because they were so short lived. We are currently using a Haynes Classic Fusion fitted with a Powell Aurumite HJ (9K Gold/Silver). From what I have searched, "Aurumite II has 18k gold on the inside of the tube in a pale yellow color, 14k rose gold on the outside, and a layer of sterling silver "sandwiched" between the two layers of gold." I couldn't find what materials the Lip Plate and Riser are made from.
I'm not even sure what the Lip Plate and Riser on the 9K Aurumite we have now is, I think its 10K Gold Lip Plate with a 14K Riser.
Just need some feedback, wondering if this would possibly be a good upgrade to the flute.

Thanks

Tom

[fluteguy18]

In the end, it's a matter of preference. Powell makes very good flutes, but when comparing headjoints alone they're middle of the pack. Usually if you're looking for a headjoint upgrade, most players tend to look at companies that specialize in headjoints (Lafin, Mancke, Williams, etc).

I personally wouldn't say it's an upgrade exactly because it's already very similar to the one he already plays. Sure it has gold on the inside, higher karat count and so on, so forth, but in the end it's all about the design and how it plays. Both headjoints are made of metals that have been brazed together and drawn as tubing. This particular headjoint seems almost like a step sideways maybe instead of a true step up in quality. At the end of the day, it's about what the player sounds like, and true improvement can only be gained from extreme familiarity with your personal instrument. I read through some of your other posts so I'm going to offer a bit of insight on the hunch that it might be warranted. Please forgive me if it is not. I mean no offense.

'Upgrading' too often at this caliber of equipment often impedes progress instead of assists progress (if that's what he's looking for). I would personally recommend talking to the instructor before doing anything. Pretty soon he'll have topped out with equipment upgrades and the only thing to look to for improvement is hard work and familiarity with his instrument. Too many players chase after the 'dream' flute, never find it and never achieve their highest potential. If he wants to get better he's going to have to continue to work hard and learn to accommodate the quirks of his instrument. Perhaps there are some legitimate shortcomings of his current headjoint. Perhaps not. But if there is a true upgrade to be had for his headjoint, you're probably going to have to go to solid gold and to a headjoint specialty manufacturer. Cost is anywhere from $6-10k.

If I were you... based on what little information I have... I would say to skip it. Put in at least 1-2 more years of hard work using his current set up and then re evaluate with his teacher. At his next upgrade, he'll be looking to step up to a solid silver (or gold) flute with soldered toneholes. (The Fusion 9k is a great intermediate handmade/pro flute, but there are silver flutes out there that are still a step up). It takes at least a year to adjust to a new instrument. At least a year of solid, consistent tone work, every day. I've had my current set up for 6-7 years, played for 12 hours a day most of that time and I'm still learning new things about my flute and how it plays.

[jrbrook76]

I have a beautiful Aurumite 2 headjoint with silver lip, gold rider, and I had gold Adler wings soldered on. It’s a really amazing headjoint. It plays like a silver headjoint but it has a really sweet focus to it. I definitely find it sweeter and darker than regular aurumite. I may have Powell update the lip plate and riser to their current standard. I love this headjoint but there’s way too much undercutting and the lip plate is more narrow than the current philharmonic cut. I wish I could post a photo.

But, try all kinds of different crowns from different makers. You’d be surprised how they change the sound.

[isoc]

<It takes at least a year to adjust to a new instrument. At least a year of solid, consistent tone work, every day. I've had my current set up for 6-7 years, played for 12 hours a day most of that time and I'm still learning new things about my flute and how it plays.>

I'm still not absolutely how much of an upgrade my Yamaha 677HCT is over my old Emerson. It should be an upgrade, and has many features the Emerson doesn't: offset G, Gizmo, split E, and C# trill.

One of the main reasons for the upgrade, which I decided on after a 20 year lapse in regular practice or playing, is that I'm 71 now, and these are the best years of (the rest of) my life. So I'd like to put in the next two years of tone work, scales and adjustment on what is probably a better instrument. Then I'll be in a better position to evaluate both flutes. I can't quite fairly compare the Yamaha now, as when I set the Emerson aside and stopped playing, I had had 4 years of lessons and 5 of regular playing. I look at notes my music teacher made and what she assigned long ago, and say: Wow! I used to play that!

I won't play 12 hours a day, but I'm working towards 2 hours a day. When I started up 6 weeks ago, I could barely play 15 minutes before my hands and lips gave out. Now I can play 45 minutes before I really need a break, and after a break, I'm good to go for another 45.

- Ted