Opinions on a different flute?

[Kaylyn]

Hi all,

I currently play a Sankyo SilverSonic (equivalent to the CF-301) made in 1985. Silver head, body, and foot, plated mechanism. It has a high-wave headjoint, open holes, c foot, and inline g.

I loved it when I first got it because I had moved up from a Yamaha YFL-481 which was a good workhorse flute but I never felt like had much character in tone.

Recently, I have been getting the feeling that maybe the Sankyo isn't the right flute for me, either. I feel like sometimes my tone gets stuffy and it's very hit or miss regarding whether I'm having a "good flute day" or a "not so good flute day" in terms of my sound. I struggle in the ensemble I am in as well because no matter how far I push in my headjoint I struggle with still being flat compared to the rest of the ensemble. FWIW, my cork is in the correct place.

I am having a hard time with this because who is to say that if I get a different flute that it will be any better or worse for me than the Sankyo? The people that have played it besides me tell me what a nice flute it is, but I don't quite feel like it's a perfect match. What is even harder is the closest place for me to go and trial another flute is almost 5 hours away. My local music store stocks Jupiter, Yamaha (student line) and Selmer Prelude, I believe. Given my limited budget I am not willing to drive that far to trial flutes.

If I purchased another flute, I would have to break even within about $200 of what I could sell my Sankyo for (I am guessing in the $1500-$2000 range?).

Ideally, I would like a flute that has closed holes and a c-foot. I switched to open hole back in high school because it was the popular thing to do and frankly I get tired of the open holes. I have tried plugging the holes on my flute and it's not the same.

I prefer a flute with a full lower register and an open, sweet high register with notes that play easily. I have no qualms about purchasing used as I rarely purchase new, and am not against eBay as I have had fantastic luck in the past with flute purchases there.

Does anyone have ANY opinions regarding this? Should I trade my flute for something that will be a better match? Brands and models? Keep my flute because it's a nice instrument?

Help!

[fluteguy18]

You're in a tough position frankly. The current replacement value of that instrument is almost $4k USD. But by selling it for its used value and then only buying with those funds you're effectively trading a mercedes for a toyota.

Take it to a quality repair shop first. A quality shop that services high end flutes like Powell, Brannen, Miyazawa, Sankyo, Haynes, Muramatsu, etc. Have it serviced (in the ballpark range of $200-350 usually). That will do wonders. Try the Powell 'Plug-Os'. Those actually make your open hole keys feel like closed hole because they're made of metal.

If you're still unhappy, then you can look to change instruments. If you're wanting an equivalent instrument you're going to have to be able to buy in the $4-5k range. A $2k Amadeus or Lyric just won't compare to your current Sankyo after you adjust to it. Furthermore it's almost impossible to find a closed hole flute that isn't a student level or an ultra high end custom made instrument.

An option is to save up, buy a new headjoint and have a quality technician install metal plugs that are soldered in place to convert the keys. Something like that however would require a lathe, a steady hand, a good eye, and can't be done in every repair shop.

[Chris Carr]

Isn't it easier to find plateau key flutes in Europe? I have heard it said that the open hole/B foot phenomenon is an American thing. I am planning on biting the bullet on a new flute after the first of they year, and was considering moving to a plateau key flute, as I pretty much only use the open holes to glissando one note on one song I play with my band.

[Kaylyn]

fluteguy18 thank you for the advice. I know I can email them and ask but do you by any chance know if the Powell Plug-o's fit Sankyo? Most other commercially made hole plugs fall right through, indicating to me that the holes are maybe larger than standard? This is probably what is also contributing to my frustration with the open holes.

I have looked on eBay recently and have seen some closed hole Miyazawa and Muramatsu flutes from the seller strawberryhome in my (potential) price range...where I run into a hard time with that is that I have never played those flutes, either.

FWIW my current flute was overhauled in late 2011. I don't trust my local guy to tinker around too much with my flute because he doesn't specialize in high end flute repair. I had someone who I did trust who has since relocated. An adjustment for me involves shipping out my flute again. Not saying that I am not willing to do that, it's just hard with no real backup instrument at the moment.

It is frustrating to live where I do when it comes to flute! So far away from everything.

I very much appreciate the input, though...still thinking about what to do. Last night was a good night on my flute, making me even more confused!

[Gandalfe]

I have used plastic hole plugs which look fine and made a *big* difference for me and my wife. You can read about my story here:

http://biskey7.wordpress.com/2010/12/01 ... osed-hole/

[Kaylyn]

Funny you linked that page - I had already read it! Thank you for the input.