how much solid silver should be in the flute?

flutegirl49 · Post by **flutegirl49** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:42 pm

I am looking at intermediate flutes but I'm not sure whether I need solid silver in just the headjoint.. OR the headjoint, body and footjoint..

what do intermediate/advanced flutists generally buy? soild silver on all three pieces or just the headjoint? I'm wondering if its really necessary to have that much solid silver on your flute.

To be specific I'm trying to decide between the yamaha 400 series and 300 series... Thanks for all your help!

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:49 am

I am looking at intermediate flutes but I'm not sure whether I need solid silver in just the headjoint.. OR the headjoint, body and footjoint..

what do intermediate/advanced flutists generally buy? soild silver on all three pieces or just the headjoint? I'm wondering if its really necessary to have that much solid silver on your flute.

To be specific I'm trying to decide between the yamaha 400 series and 300 series... Thanks for all your help!

All I can tell you it depends on the maker, and the overall design of hte flute, and how well you can adapt to it. I have found the material the flute is made of make little difference over all. I have played on some silver plated flutes that play better then some solid silver ones. My Haynes is silver, but I would argue that my Buffet/Crampton International model plays and sound as good or better, and louder. I played on a Pearl at a show that was silverplated with a solid silver Forte model headjoint that played better than both of them. Also keep in mind, that the headjoint also make a big difference

Here are my suggested step in finding a step up instrument.
1. What price can I afford? Usually usless you find a deal, intermediate instruments will generally start around $600 dollars, and go as high as $2000. There are good instruments all along this price range. If this is too high, play on a few brands, and see if you can find a used on in the brand you like.
2. Try before you buy! Since you can already play, never buy an instrument before you try it out. You will be surprised how differently different brands play. If you can, taking a voice/tape recorder and a tuner with you when you try it out. Most reputable places will either have a practice room, or will allow you to keep it for a few days to see if you like it.
3. How much noise does the key make. This is often over looked. When you are zipping through a tune, does the instrument make a lot of clicking noise. The lower the noise, the better! Especially if you are going to be amplified or recorded.
4. Airy-ness. People blow differently. I have found some headjoint more airy than others. I shopped for a flute once, and had 4 different brands of flutes. I picked the one that played the smoothest, and the loudest with out being airy sounding. You will find the higher dollar the flute, the more the headjoint will be different for each brand.
5. Dependability and repairability. Ask your local repair person about brands and how repairable they are.

IMO the best flute for the money right now is the
Pearl Quantz 665. You are talking about 650 to 900 dollars, solid silver, you can get it in an offest G, and it plays and sounds nice. See if you can find one with a Forte headjoint. you will spend more, but it even makes the instrument that much better!!!!

Honorable mentions
2. Buffet/Crampton is one one the most underated, and hard to get flutes around. Playing the headjoint takes some work, but makes the instrument sound fantastic. The model I have is the international model, and retails for around $1500
3. Amadeus by Haynes. This flute is more expensive, but the headjoint makes this flute worth. The headjoint is identical to the one that is on my handmade Haynes. this one will run about 1200-1600 dollars Can go as high as 2000 in some places.
4. The Jupiter 711 Around $1200

These are my favorites for under $2000 Everyone else has theirs I am sure.

Again, just play on them, and shop around. You will learn a lot about flutes, you will have some fun, and you will trulely find the right one for you.

Best Wishes

Phineas

PS. Yamahas are cool, but HEAVILY over rated. But hey, that may be the brand that floats your boat. Try some other brands out and see!

flutegirl49 · Post by **flutegirl49** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:38 am

Thanks for all that useful information...
it will definately help me out when buying a flute

i might ask to try the pearl quantz one at the store. Do you know if that's a popular flute? If not.. they might not have it

Is yamaha that overrated? I don't see how such a popular flute brand could be that overrated.. It should be really popular for a reason right? Maybe you just like different types of flutes than flutists in general?

B/c if others agree with you that yamahas are really overrated.. then i might want to reconsider getting the yamaha one...

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:26 am

Try all brands at any given shop. What works well for one player may sound horrible and respond poorly when played by another. I can comfortably report that no two of my students are playing the same flute models at this time. How much do you wish/are you able to spend? Ultimately, the headjoint is the most important part of the flute in terms of tone and response, though you'll need a reliable mechanism as well. If a silver head is as much silver as you can afford, go for a more reputable, semi-hand-made or hand-made brand with a silver-plated body, if this is what sounds and feels best. Buying a used flute is definitely a good way to get more bang for the buck. The Yamahas are nice, but a little overpriced for their quality when compared with some others. If you're choosing between the 300 and 400 series, I would choose the 400s. They're just a little "meatier", if that makes any sense. One very talented student's 360-something was so lightweight, I was even frustrated FOR her! Other students are currently playing Miyazawa, Emerson, Yamaha 674HHV and 581H, Armstrong Heritage (also 80B--now discontinued--and 50 series), assorted student clunkers which work for the moment but will ultimately be upgraded, and one has a new Muramatsu EX (wonderful!!!!!). The EX is a silver head/triple-plated body, and cost about $2600. This flute sounds great for her now, and, I HOPE--well, I'm pretty sure--won't be outgrown in three years, lol. So, just play as many respectable flutes as your can get your mitts on, and let us know what you find!

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:26 pm

Is yamaha that overrated? I don't see how such a popular flute brand could be that overrated.. It should be really popular for a reason right? Maybe you just like different types of flutes than flutists in general?

B/c if others agree with you that yamahas are really overrated.. then i might want to reconsider getting the yamaha one...

There are a few brands that are popular, and yet over rated. Yamaha, Jupiter, Gemeinhardt. Just because everyone owns a particular model is more dure to availability, than preference. At the same time, there are a lot of underrated brands also. Buffet/Crampton, Armstrong, and Powell flutes for example. Also, some brands are better in different catagories than others.

Pearl is one of the top Hand made flute makers in the country. Right now, this brand will get you the best bang for the dollar in almost all catagories for an intermediate level flute. Miyazawa is also a top brand, but you will pay for it!! Especially since it is the weapon of choice for Sir James Galway.

Phineas

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:12 pm

I do reccommend trying out as many different flutes as possible, no matter how much reading you do, nothing compares to actually trying instruments. I've heard that Pearl flutes are among the best flutes for the money in the intermediate range, so definitely try them out if you can. I should point out that Pearl is a Japanese flute (not made in this country) and I hardly think Powell is under-rated (Powell was one two good flute makers in America for many years.) Also, James Galway is a Muramatsu artist, not Miyazawa (although many top players play both brands.)

In any case, when shopping for an intermediate flute, the quality of the instrument is more important than how much silver it contains. Flutes like the Altus 807, Muramatsu EX, Miyazawa 101 are exceptional flutes for the money. I understand that these flutes may be above your budget right now (probably similar in price to the Yamaha 581), but try to go flute shopping with your teacher or another experienced flutist you trust, they'll be able to tell which flutes are the best quality and can help you pick the best instrument for you.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:26 pm

Also, James Galway is a Muramatsu artist, not Miyazawa (although many top players play both brands.)

I should point out that Pearl is a Japanese flute (not made in this country)

I stand corrected...lol I knew it was something Japanese that began with an M

As far as Pearl, I was refering to availability more so than country of origin. The rep is in San Antonio, Texas. They are also the ones you go to when you want one made.

Phineas

flutegirl49 · Post by **flutegirl49** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:24 pm

I might consider the PEarl flutes.. but it depends on their pricing..

How do PEARL flutes compare in price to YAMAHAs?

Also I'm not sure about this but I Think armstrongs are much cheaper than yamahas. Is this true? I think their flutes with solid silver plating in head,foot, and joint is around the same as a yamaha with only the solid silver head joint.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:30 pm

For a good pricing guide, go to fluteworld.com I don't think they carry Armstrong, but I have found them to be comparable to Gemeinhardt & Emerson (the same company owns both Armstrong and Emerson).

As for Pearl Flutes, don't get hung up on all of the "options" they have. Play them before you buy one. I have found that some people love them, and some hate them.. This is actually very true for all flutes, as MeLizzard stated.