I was about to buy an Armstrong Artisia 45B-TG flute from a local music store, when someone else scooped it up before me and paid a cheap price ($2200). I tried it once and loved it...great sound and response. It had gold keys and a gold lip plate. I am a jazz flautist...I have never had a real great instrument, but it is time now. I have tried some very expensive flutes in the past, like a powell and haynes and did not like them. This Armstrong is said to have thin walls..whatever the case, it suited me. I know Haynes makes different headjoints with different walls...I remember going to their factory in Boston to try some while at Berklee (1970) but was too poor at the time to get one. QUESTION: Is anyone familiar with this model? What was it that made this flute so nice for me?
Are there other flutes that play like it? Any info is appreciated. I can't see buying a flute via mail order since I am so picky....I am in Ft Lauderdale. Thanks in advance for any info. Abe Betesh

What was it that made this flute so nice for me?

I think it was the gold keys!

Armstrong is not considered a maker of professional level flutes. Though you will certainly find an Armstrong flute will play well you should not be spending so much on an Armstrong!

The highest model Armstrong, the 800BT with gold plated keys and lip plate should only cost you ~$1200.
http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/flutes/intermediate.html

For $2500 you can buy a professional level flute. Check out http://www.flute4u.com , http://www.flutes4sale.com/ , and http://www.fluteworld.com for a good idea of the many brands that are available to you.

Flute makers that make flutes in the $2500 range:
Altus, Miyazawa, Muramatsu, Sankyo, Yamaha (500 series on up), Pearl (dolce models on up, no quantz)

Stephen, there are two models that go higher then the 800BT. You can view them here and also see what the Artesia model that panflute is talking about.
http://www.tuttimusic.net/images/flautas_armst.pdf

The highest model I have ever tried by Armstrong was the Heritage line. It looks like it is identical to the Artesia except the fact that the Heritage has silver plated keys and then Artesia has solid silver keys. To me, the Heritage didn't play much differently then the 80B so I would say that the price difference would not be worth it. The sound was okay, but the mechanism was sluggish.

Have you asked the store owner if he could order another model for you? If it it THE ONE for you then it doesn't matter what brand it is. I do share the opinion of Stephen though, I think that there are better flutes in the same price range as the Armstrong.

Artesia is no longer being made. You'll have to find one that is already out there that a dealer hasn't sold going a few years back...You can probably get a really good deal on one.

The current top of the line from the Armstrong line at Conn-selmer is the Heritage, (.014)thin walled head but a standard body (.016). Those are the 60 or 61 B. Above that Conn-Selmer makes the Emerson EF88 or Legacy models.

The 800 model Kara mentioned are not thin wall bodies. The head s are .014 (thin) but the bodies are .018 (heavy)

Joe B

Hi Guys....I appreciate the info & advice. I spoke to the music store this morning. My repair man (an excellent musician) is advising me to try the new armstrongs saying the new ones are redesigned and improved, and yes the Artisans are discontinued. There is a Muramatsu available for less than $3000, but it is out of town. Let's approach this from a different angle - I am a jazz player, a good muscian, and lately doing a single & playing much more flute than sax, mostly jazz & classical. I love the way Gallway sounds...a cutting yet round complex sound in all registers. (I play a couple of the tunes he does.) I have a good sound on my cheap Armstrong, especially in the lower register, but it is limited and the intonation & sound on the upper registers is just OK. So, yes I want to buy a professional flute this time....and I care about how it plays, not necessarilly how it looks. I am 55 and playing better than ever so I need and deserve the best flute I can find.....I will check out those links you have given me. I know finding the "perfect" flute is a personal thing, but I am sure no one would not rule out wanting Galloway's flute...so the quest for a flute that has the sound and ability to express myself is beginning. I am not sure what makes a flute great, but some expensive flutes I have tried in the past did not suit me....the sound I was getting was so small I could not understand the attraction. It must be me..I like a full earthy sound, a lot of air...a big open sound...I believe a better instrument will take me to the next level. anyway thanks again. I will keep you updated.

I know you said you have tried Haynes and Powell, but what models and were they and were they new? The new Powells have a very big sound and depending on what style of Powel head you try on it you can get that breathier sound that you are looking for. Well.. at least I can.

Kara

It was such a long time ago that I don't remember anything about them. I posted a message in a couple of local (Miami) newsletters and have already gotten a few calls. I guess the engineering of the headjoint has a lot to do with it. I can remember trying to find the right alto mouthpiece....I must have gone thru 30 of them till I finally settled on one..Someone wrote back with an older Powell for $5500, we'll see what else comes up. I think I'll be trying a lot of flutes this month. Someone posted some UTube links of flutist videos...one sounded particularly nice.....I'll post the link here.

Panflute
(Abe Betesh)

Someone posted some UTube links of flutist videos...one sounded particularly nice.....

I wouldn't necessarily go by that. Two people playing the exact same flute can sound completely different. I don't like the sound I get on Pearl flutes, but one of my friends sounds fabulous on them. It is all relative.

I do think that the newer Powells have a bigger sound then some of the older ones.

Have you thought about just getting a few flutes at a time on trial from Flute World, JL Smith or Flute Center of NY? There are also other places that do this, but those three come to mind first for me as that is where I do most of my business.

<Added>

Is this the player that you like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJoYMkLniDU

He plays on a heavy wall Muramatsu, with different heads.

This guys sounds nice, tho I would prefer if he were more aggressive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKgwQgr8DRc

This guys sounds good, tho maybe a little mechanical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYDW2A5-Cbw

Yes if nothing comes up locally then maybe a few flutes from out of town may be necessary....they are a little pricy tho,,,

This guys sounds good, tho maybe a little mechanical:

Ha! Ha!

Well, the flute stores that I mentioned also carry very nice used flutes that they can send out on trial, so you may want to look into those also. You can view most of them on their websites.