I have narrowed my search down to these models. The Jupiter is $300-400 less that the Yamaha. Which one should I get her?

Jupiter diMedici Flute
1011RBSO Open hole, silver head, body and foot, styled keys, offset G, low B d sharp roller c sharp trill

OR

Yamaha YFL-674H Open hole, silver head, body and foot, styled keys, offset G, low B

I would recommend the Yamaha. They are more on the lines of a pre-professional flute or top on the intermediate list. If you would like to get your daughter a professional flute you may want to look into some of these brands, just to name a few:

Powell
Miyazawa
Haynes
Muramatsu
Nagahara
Brannen

I would go for the Jupiter. It has more features for such a low price. How much would the Yamaha go for? They are both excellent brands. Both Asian manufactures. MY first chocice would be the Jupiter and then the Yamaha.

Yamaha $2375
Jupiter $1995

..AGAIN, don`t get caught up in all the feautures. I have seen some garbage flutes off of ebay that have the same feautures. It does not mean it is any good.

You know what I find funny is that I have run into several professional that don`t even have these features on their flutes. I have a C# trill key on mine in which I do like very much, but it is not necessary.

I must also add that a wise person would choose to stay away from a split E on a flute, they cause more trouble on the flute then they are worth. A good alternative is to get a G donut put in instead.

You`re suggesting she just buy the Yamaha flute without testing the others or finding out why professionals chunk out a thou for the C# mech.

Which I don`t think you mean to...?

"why professionals chunk out a thou for the C# mech."

Sorry, I don`t get that last comment. No, I am not suggesting this at all. If you want a REAL professional flute with all the extra gadgets, them why waste your money on an intermediate level flute? I beleive you can buy a Muramatsu or even a Powell Signature series for less then $3,000.

My only point is that I hate to see people get sucked into feauters rather then quaility when purchasing a flute.

I don`t regard the Yamaha 674 or a Jupiter 1011 professional flutes. Manufactures will say anything to sell a product, but do you ever see a professional flutist playing on one of these models? I am not trying to sound stuck up at all, because I know anyone can play professionaly on a student flute if anyone wanted to, but just pointing out the facts.

Sorry, for all the spelling mistakes in the last post, I typed it out fast and didn`t check it.

I appreciate the comments and I understand that there are better and more professional flute out there but I do not want to spend more than $2400. My daughter is 12 years old and is not my onoly child. I also just bought 2 sax`s and a clarient. I will just have to make a decision and live with it and I think that will be the Yamaha.

Professionals have purchased the Dimedici flutes as backups and gone on to use in in their various orchestras, for some it has made up for shortcomings of their older professional flutes.

It`s a highly recommended intermediate flute.

Check out Flute list archive. Search 1011 or jupiter and you will find professional flutists recommending them.

The Jupiter is being compared to a Yamaha, not a professional flute.

In the sister Yamaha thread I recommended Miyazawa and Altus for higher consideration as they are professional flutes in the same price range, this one started of just comparing Yamaha and Jupiter... and the Yamaha wins without a play test.
( http://www.8notes.com/f/25_147584.asp )

Perhaps it will be a pick of the litter and not end up a Yamalloy.

You are completely misreading my posts. We are not on the same page at all, so before I am misunderstood anymore, or anymore of my posts are read into the wrong way, I am just going to choose to drop it.

Shane, is there a reason you want to spend more money on a professional flute for your 12 year old daughter? Please forgive me, but isn`t 12 a bit young for a professional flute?

Personally I would choose a Jupiter but I must agree with Kara about buying a 12 year old girl a professional flute. I mean I know fully grown adults that still play intermediate models. You should re-consider whether your daughter is really serious about the flute or if it`s just a phase she is going through

Leprachaun