Does anyone know what markings are on an authentic Yamaha EC headjoint? I just purchased one from Ebay, but I have one in front of me from Flute World and the two aren't the same -- is this possible? Thank you!
Jaime

It will have the letter EC engraved right on the headjoint. Does it have any letter engraved on it at the top?

Yes, they both do. The one I have from Flute World came with a YFL 684 that I have out on loan -- it's a great flute. The 684 is made in Japan and has the EC Sliver Head 925 engraved directly under the yamaha symbol on the headjoint. However, the one I just received today (from ebay) has Silver 925 EC, but it is at the top, near the crown, and in much smaller block print. Why the difference? They both sound great, but I just want to make sure the one I bought on ebay is the real deal.

Yes, they are both EC cuts. I am not sure why sometimes Yamaha puts the EC at the top and other times it is in the center of the headjoint. It might be because one come on a whole flute while another one is an extra stock headjoint? Who knows. My favorite is the CY. I also think that the 684 is a really nice flute. I used to own one and still wish sometimes that I would have never sold it.

You know what is really great on that flute is either and Emmanuel headjoint a Powell Philharmonic. The Powell especially makes it just soar! I think that Flute world has a couple of used Powell headjoints in right now for trial too. The Powell heads do vary though. I have tried some amazing ones while have tried some real dead sounding ones too.

<Added>

"You know what is really great on that flute is either and Emmanuel headjoint a Powell Philharmonic. "

Oops.. that sentence should read. You knwo what is really great on that flute is either an Emmanuel headjoint or a Powell Philharmonic.



<Added>

Kara needs to go to bed!

Thanks Kara, I appreciate your help! I really do like the 684, but I just can't afford it right now. Also, I'm really looking at the headjoints to upgrade my beloved 481H -- my parents really sacrificed to buy it for me and I just won't part with it. I will definitely try a powell -- I've heard they are just wonderful. I wonder if it would fit right on my 481, or if I would have to get it professionally fitted? The EC I got off ebay sounds great, but its a little tight on my 481.

I've got a Yamaha 311 and there are no markings on the headjoint except from a tiny yamaha logo

Jiame,
If you already have the EC headjoint to put on your 481, then you basically have the 684, it is the same thing, just without the pointed key arms. You are paying just extra for those key arms. Aside from that, they are the same.

You are right -- the old 481 and the new 684 are basically the same w/ the EC. I do have a Powell "P" cut headjoint coming, so I can't wait to try that one too.
Also, have you noticed that Yamaha stopped making the 481 all silver? Now, they have a 481 II, or whatever, and it only has the silver headjoint - not body and foot. I wonder why? Looks like they are charging more now for that model than I paid for the full silver version back in the late 80's.
BTW, the lady who is using your jewel method -- isn't she the Winds 101 person?

<Added>

My last comment is comment on your latest post -- I guess you know that, but I just kind of stuck in on the end.

Yamaha changed around all there numbering system for their models for some odd reason. Let me know what you think of the Powell headjoint on the flute. And yes, that is the same person. She doesn't know her facts about flutes which I find funny since she sells them.

Funny, my Yamaha is marked 481II and is all 925 parts in 1000 silver, except for the keys. Glad I got it before they changed that.

Interesting information on the EC headjoint. I was wondering if I had one or not. Looks like not.

Does that mean I ended up with the student headjoint? Eeek.

I was wondering if anyone knows what the differences are, performance wise between the student and EC heads? The flute is excellent for the most part, but I'm wondering if maybe the headjoint may hold me back in some way, or make my tone quality less than it could be?

Wonder how much the ECs are...

And thanks to all for the good info.

Mike.

Kara - I just looked at your profile and realized we are the same age! Bicentennial babies -- I turned the big 30 in Jan. Where did you go to school if you don't mind me asking? I wish I could have played flute in college, but my school didn't offer anything for woodwinds.

JaimeAlene, how cool! I don't turn 30 till Dec, but am kind of dreading it. Lol!
I didn't go to college.

Hi Kara - well then you probably had more fun in your early 20's than I did at the military academy I attended! How did you get started playing the flute?

Nah...I didn't have much fun, I was pretty much a stay at home body and not much of a party animal. I still am not. I think that I got in the most trouble with my husband before we were married and that was the extent of my fun. Lol!

I just knew that I ALWAYS wanted to play the flute from the time I could walk. I have no idea why or what prompted it. I started on it in the 5th grade at school and never seemed to put it down since. My mom and dad had to actually take it away from me as a punishment when I was bad. I must have drove them crazy with all my flute playing! But, they were and are still till this very day very supportive of my playing and never did miss any one of my concerts growing up until we got separated by all the miles between us. That is my mother in my profile picture by the way.

So military school, huh? I think that they would have thrown me out! Did you like it? What got you started on the flute?

Well, it was pretty difficult at times, but overall it was a great experience. I met my husband there (US Air Force Academy), so that made it all worth it.
I went to a public school outside of B'ham Alabama that had an awesome band program. I knew I wanted to play in band in 7th grade (that's when we started), but I didn't know what instrument. When we tried out on the headjoints, they told me I could play anything but the flute - so that's what I picked!
You sound like me -- I just couldn't put it down. I played in the Alabama youth symphony for a while, and did All State and stuff like that, but when I went to USAFA, they only had a Drum and Bugle Corps and so it took a backseat. I just play in church now, but I really love playing.
When I wanted to upgrade my flute, my husband was like "Do you really need a $6000.00 flute to play Holy, Holy, Holy on Sunday's?" Silly man - of course I do. My oldest daughter wants to play, but she is too young (just 6) -- I told her in a few more years I'd be happy to give her some lessons.