Hello everyone,
Arbiter nightmare over, I went to the music shop to try out a Yamaha or three. An amazing experience...never knew flute-playing could make the earth move as well as make sound! BUT...Yamaha just doesn't do it for me - one date and it's clear it'll never work. So I'm still flutely single...

I'd really appreciate your opinion on the following three flutes from justflutes.com, seriously serious and extremely helpful place in London, who're willing to ship one out to me here in France to try and send back if necessary...
The chap told me that Natsuki would probably suit me best, as it has a more classical, elegant, subtle tone to it; bit of a suave, sophisticated, seduction with roses type. The Miyazawa is an ex-demo,reserviced, and, according to him, a real bargain. My rational side and my intuition are telling me different things...what do you lot all reckon?

Inline open-hole no split-E is a deliberate choice, btw.


http://www.justflutes.com/pages/product-detailC2576A.htm

http://www.justflutes.com/pages/product-detailJM2831.htm

http://www.justflutes.com/pages/product-detailC2891.htm (Miyazawa)


Hugs to all!

First off, those prices are crazy. I would go ahead and try the flutes there and if you find one that suites you, but it from somewhere in the US like Flute World where the prices are a lot cheaper. The flutes you listed are all good flutes, so it is really up to you as the player and what you think you sound best on. I myself prefer an offset G and a split E or not is okay. C foot and B foot is just a preference. I like both and use both.

I don't think there's any way for us to help you make this choice. Really, you need to play these instruments and see what's more comfortable to you. Since you've already nixed Yamahas, there's no way to tell whether Natsuki or Miyazawa would score any higher for YOU, and that's all that really matters. There's a pretty large gap in price between the flutes, though (if my quick currency conversion is accurate)....What made you choose these 3 flutes?

As you are in France, you are probably used to the high prices in Europe.

When I was in the process of selecting a new flute for me from here (in Madrid), after checking the few places available locally, I also inquired in London, in Paris, in Basel and a couple of places in Germany. Finally I bought my Yamaha in USA (Fluteworld).

Main drawback, I could no try it prior to purchasing and there was no easy possibility for returning it in case something went wrong. But it did not, I am very satisfied with it and also saved a bunch of Eu.(about 30% of the local price). I must say I had the help of a good friend who brought it here personally, so there was no risk with the shipment.

<Added>

This is one interesting place in London I contacted (and had almost had decide to visit personally) before I decided to buy in USA: www.allflutesplus.co.uk.
Note that the domain allflutes.com belongs to a used flute dealer ...in Spain. But it is not the same company, of course.

<Added>

OOPS!
and had almost had decide = and had almost decided

you will sound like you on any flute, what you need to decide, IMHO, is what kind of resistance you want. I like my old resistant Haynes with my resistant J Moore Headjoint because of the color and power, but you may want to go with something lighter...

These are very personal decisions...

If you're not in a position to try before you buy roseanglaise, you might as well look to america to purchase the flute of your dreams :-) or at least look at the prices and see what the equivalent would cost you.

good luck in your search

xx

Thanks very much for your advice!

Flutist06: I've looked at various places in the US, including flute world, but haven't seen anything cheaper than a Miyazawa at £700 ($1,400?)...the Natsukis are both £995. There are two prices mentioned on the pages: the second hand price and the equivalent price if bought new.
I selected these ones on the advice of the chap at justflutes, the price and intuition!
I was mainly wondering if there are any major differences in quality between the Natsuki and Miyazawa, and if anyone can spot any possible probs from the description...
Patrick: Are you still planning to hold a flute workshop in France over the summer?

Thanks again, chaps and chapesses!