Sorry to be this direct Joe, but I was wondering as you're an Azumi fan, how you rate the build quality compared to Yamaha. In particular, I'm torn between a Yamaha 371 (silver head) and an Azumi 2000 (also silver head).
I've heard some concerns about the quality of Jupiter which makes them, as well as about Altus, particularly from Micron. Although I've also heard that they have both gotten a lot better in the last few years.
Have you (or anyone else) got some thoughts on the subject? Thanks!

My initial impression of them is good. But I'll take one apart today and report later...

Joe B

That would be awesome, thanks!

OK, here's the report.

The Azumi tone holes are somewhere in between Altus and Jupiter..

Jupiter tone holes are filed but not flat at all. There are no course file marks on the Azumi or the Jupiter anymore. The finish could be a little better but it's passable. The azumi is not as heavily flattened so the tone hole isn't completely level (and the rims not too wide.) There's room to work to get them flatter and thinned if necessary. They can be worked on.

The Altus are really wide rimmed, (like Miyazawa's) The finish is beautiful but very wide and they are FLAT. But the rim is way too wide. They can be thinned to a degree.

The soldered tone hole models on the Altus are much better..(if you want to spend $8k more)

Keywork on the Azumi is nice and tight and not flimsy. The quality of the casting is comensurate with the price. (i.e. from looking at the underside of the G# lever.) Ribbing is very stout.

The Z-cut headjoint is very square with modest undercutting and overcutting. Taper appears to be very traditional. (in other words the taper is not extreme to accomplish the same thing and introducing other problems for students later..) Loud, freeblowing, and responsive, just what everyone wants these days. Blow anywhere near the head and it sounds great...

If you are an old school player who like smaller holes and lots of tone color, you might not like the cut. But it is what's popular out there today and will give a student immediate gratification tonally..

Scale is the Altus Bennett scale. No problem there at all..

2 models available. Silver head, plated body, and all silver tube. Silver meaning britannia silver .958. Altus claims the silver content for it sounding darker, but I don't find them to be all that dark with that headjoint. Nice feedback to the player with some depth, but tonally it has more sparkle than darkness. Overall I do like the sound compared to other things in the price range.

Pricing MSRP
Model 2000 $1250
Model 3000 $2000

Internet pricing is $1000 and $1500 respectively. Offset or inline G available

Joe's marks: 2 thumbs up!

Joe B

<Added>

BTW, I'm not a big fan of yamaha.

Thank you very much Joe, that is extremely helpfull. I'm hoping to get it together to buy a flute sometime in the next couple of months, preferably sooner, possibly later , depeding on cash flow etc...

I will of course let you all know what I get as soon as I get it, right now the Azumi with silver head and open tone-holes is top of my list. Not yet sure about B or C foot. I know a place in Amsterdam that sells (or will sell when they get stock) for €891 (C foot) and €1026 (B foot), that is US$1147/US$1321 respectively.

I can't wait...

<Added>

As an "adult learner", I recon I'm happy to have a fairly responsive head with a good basic tone. I can allways update the head if my playing warrants it in a few years time, and if not than I'm better of with an easy free-blowing head anyway. (Methinks...;))