Hi! Does anyone here have, or have played, a Yamaha774H? I`m considering getting that model (haven`t played one yet). Is it worth the extra money over the 674H? I`ve played a 674H and I really like it. Any and all opinions about that model and/or Yamaha flutes in general would be very appreciated! Thank you!!

They are both wonderful models, but sounded exactly the same to me when trying them side by side. The only difference that I knew of was that the 774 has solid silver keys and the 664 has plated keys. So if you would like to just upgrade to solid silver keys (which will not make a sound difference in anyway) then that would be up to you.

Sorry I meant to write 674.

Kara,

I`m seriously considering selling my current flute and getting something lower maintenance. How do you think the Yamaha 600/700 series compares with the Powell Signature? I like the EC headjoint better than the Signature headjoint. What else is good in the 3-4K range?

Tim,

I`m curious about what kind of flute you have now and what are your maintenance problems.

I`m looking for a flute in the same price range as you, I hope you get lots of replies!

Tim,
The Powell Signature blows away even the top Yamaha models that I have tried. The mechanism is much better. IMHO, there is no comparison sound wise either. The Powell has a better scale set up and a fuller sound capable of many tones and colors.

Now please keep in mind, this is only my opinion on this. If you could get a Powell Signature and choose a different head then you would have a really nice flute. I don`t care much for those heads myself. They are a little too free blowing for me. You could always ask which ever company you purchase it from if you could upgrade and exchange the headjoint for one of the different Powell headjoints. I am sure that they would accommodate if it was a place that just specializes in flutes.

What is good in the 3-4K range? I am going by Flute World prices since they seem to have some of the best prices around in the US.

*Altus 907
*Muramatsu EX
*Powell Signature
*Sankyo CF-201
*Miyazawa 302 [I](not sold at Flute world)[/I]
*Pearl PF-795 Elegante model [I](Not a huge fan, but some people love them.)[/I]

Now the ones I have listed (except for the Muramatsu and Powell Signature series) do have other models below that which will be more inexpensive that may contain less silver.

The Muramatsu Ex and Powell Signature series in my opinion is the best bang for the buck and are my person favorites.

Hey thanks for the info. Your suggestion about the headjoint upgrade with a Signature body is something I really should look into. Maybe I can find a used Powell headjoint with a little more resistance and power.

And CatMan, I actually currently have a Muramatsu EX. It requires very minimal effort to produce a beautiful sound, but 3 times now the keys have seized up. I bought it at Nussbaum, who has her own warranty (in addition to the manufacturer`s) so I don`t have to pay for it each time this happens. However, it is rather annoying and that warranty will eventually expire.

Keep in my mind, however, I`ve never heard of ANYONE else having this problem with a Muramatsu. It seems to be just me (of course...).

I had a Yamaha flute in high school that played well and gave me zero problems, so Yamaha is still definitely in the running. My Yamaha piccolo, on the other hand, I was less impressed with.

Well... I am not suprised. A Muramatsu is a mass producer of flutes like any other. An EX can be had for $2300 on wwandbw now.

This isn`t the first "horror story" nor will it be the last. It is machine made and subject to the faults of any machine made flute that doesn`t get a good quality check before it leaves the factory.

At least in California we have lemon laws to protect even our musical instruments. So long as an instrument is under warranty, should warrantied defects continue to occur the instrument goes back with a refund due.

But heck even the finest hand made makers employ run of the mill metal workers. Those workers who show promise eventually leave and start their own companies... then hire their own run of the mill workers... and they go off...

Tis the story of Verne Q. Powell from Haynes/non-related Powell, Tom Green from Artley/Armstrong, both Lillian and James Burkart-/Phelan from Powell, David Williams from Brannen, Dana Sheridan from Haynes/Powell/Brannen, Landell from Powell etc etc...

As maker gets more popular it becomes more of a premium for the actual maker to have a hand in the making of the instrument... it is otherwise done by someone else. Most likely a college music major who got lucky to find a side job at an instrument maker for $10 an hour.

And to top it off... usually it is gold that is the first material to be learned on as it is harder to ruin then silver.

Though I believe in this age of CNC machines able to make precise replicas of metal parts I would believe a machine made flute could be superior... but human hands still string flutes and that is probably the cause of that screwed up mechanism.

Thanks to all who have replied to my original post, your replies are both interesting and helpful.

I`m wondering why an all-silver Yamaha 774H costs almost $1000 more than an all-silver Powell Signature with similar features (according to Flute World`s web site). I know Yamaha and Powell both seem to have a good reputation with most of the flutists that post here, so why the big price difference???? I`m seriously considering getting a Powell Signature (but haven`t played one yet, hopefully this weekend!), and although it`s nice that a flute with a good reputation and similar features is cheaper than the Yamaha, I wonder how they can do it and still be better than the Yamaha?????

Thanks!

CatMan, that`s a good question. Also, why is price difference between the 674H and the 774H almost $2K when the only difference is silver keys? Correct me if I`m wrong, but I believe solid silver Yamahas have a silverplated (rather than buffed) finish. Isn`t the whole point of getting silver keys so you won`t have to deal with the plating wearing off?

Does anyone know if the Powell Signature is silverplated over solid silver?

Tim,

Powell does not silver plate over any of their flutes. If you notice their flutes are not as shiny as most because of this. They care more about quality then looks. I was informed of this when I asked the same question when touring the Powell factory last year.

Why are the Yamaha flutes so more expensive? Simply because that is what the company feels they want to charge for them. The price tag on a flute does not always make it better. Take a look at how much Yamaha is now charging for the basic student flute.

When testing out flutes the Powell Signature always came out on top for me as the best buy for people who want a professional flute, but at an affordable price that still want all solid silver including the keys.

I really am wondering why Powell came out with the Signature series since it is almost identical to the Conservatory line. The only difference is that the Signature has adjustment screws and a different cut headjoint then the Conservatory.

I`ve been wondering why a manufacturer would silver plate a flute component that was already made of solid silver! So, it`s an inexpensive way to make a flute look shiny?

Which Powell flute to you prefer - the Signature or the Conservatory?

BTW, I love the photos at your web site!!! I too am a huge fan of cats (and dogs, etc.)!

Thanks Catman. I could tell by your username that you are also a fan of cats. Very cool! Do you want a couple more? Lol! JK!

I was told that some silver plate over solid silver to hide any flaws like solder. Maybe to make it shinier? I am not sure. That is why you may be able to see the solder more easily on a Powell.

I like the Conservatory model Powell best because you are able to order special features like the C# trill, add a gold riser to you lip plate and you have three headjoint styles to choose from. You don`t get any of these options on the Signature flute. If you don`t want these extra features, then the Signature is almost identical and is a very good choice. The people at Powell said that the Signature is less handmade then the Conservatory when I asked what was the major difference between the two.

Hi!

Thanks for the additional info! I think I want to look seriously at the Signature, the Conservatory looks really nice but the price tag isn`t quite as user-friendly, LOL! My biggest problem now is getting my hands on one. I live near Flute World (lucky me!) but they are out of stock now for at least a month or so (on backorder from the factory ). Have you ever heard of any negative comments from flutists who own or have played a Signature? Or, in your opinion, do you know of any other flutes in the Signature price range that are better in some way?

(BTW... Sure, I`d love to have a couple more cats, but I`m afraid I`ve got to either limit the family to the nine I already have or else hit it big in the Lottery!)

CatMan,

The only really negative that I have heard about the Signature is that is tends to run a little on the heavy side.

If you really want to try one out right away, give Kessler & Sons a call and arrange for them to send you a flute for trial. They are very particular in making sure that the flute is set up just perfect before sending it off. Here is the link.
http://www.kesslermusic.com/

If you don`t mind waiting for Flute World to get one in, that would probably be your best bet since then you can try it side by side other brands to compare.

I think that the Signature is the best for the money, but if you don`t mind a plated body with a silver head in the same price range, the Muramatsu is really nice also. You might even really like the Sankyo, Pearl or Miyazawa. Just try as many as you can. Our tastes are all different, so you might end up hating the Signature.

If you go and try the Signature, make sure to try different headjoint on it. I really like the Sankyo NRS-1 on it.