Hi guys, just a question for my ongoing flute hunt. Does anyone what are the general playing differences between the Muramatsu Standard models and the newer AD/DS models? I know the tuning and the scale used are different, but otherwise than that, does anyone know whether there are any differences between the mechanism/keywork, the make/finish, the tonal characteristics, resistance and such? Thanks a lot in advance!

Before anyone brings this up, I know these instruments are handmade so each flute is going to be different and you need to play-test, and so just general differences will do So that I can decide whether to ship them halfway across the globe for trial haha.

You know, back when I was shoping for a flute a couple of years ago and testing out a Muramatsu, I wondered the same thing. I asked Irvin Monroe (I hope I spelled his name right??)
who head up Muramatsu America and I really didn't get that clear of an answer. He said that the mechanism was impoved a tad, but didn't go into details of how. That is basically all I got on it. I suppose if you get the chance to try them out side by side, just pick the one that works best for you. You can't go wrong either way since they are wonderful flutes. I used to own a DS.

Has anyone ever played a wooden headjoint on a Muramatsu DS? If so, which brand and how was the DS's sound changed by the wooden headjoint? Having never played a wooden headjoint before, I'm hoping for a warm and rich sound. I play a wooden Burkhart picc.
Thank you in advance for you help with this question.

The sound is largely dictated by the player, so we really can't tell you what you would sound like on a wooden head. And just like in metal heads, not every head that's made of wood has the same sound. I have not played a wooden head specifically on a DS, but I have played it on other flutes, and have to say that I was not particularly impressed by the sound they gave. The dynamic range (at least to me) was limited, the response slower than a metal head, and the tone just didn't capture my fancy (I thought it was kind of flat sounding, and I don't mean that pitch-wise), and I was playing Powells and other relatively expensive wood heads. Personally I do not care for wooden heads/flutes (though I love wooden piccs), but as everyone is different, you must actually get your hands on as many heads as possible and try them out for yourself.

I have. I played a Abel wood headjoint on a Muramatsu DS that I used to own. It was very nice and sweet sounding and I really loved that headjoint. I used to to play at a Barque festival and it gave me just the sound I was looking for. I also play on a Burkart piccolo. Aren't they just wonderful!