Hello everybody!

I have a dilema. I need new flute because my old one was stolen and I have three options:

1. Yamaha 211, as good as new, but for 2/3 of normal price.

2. Philip Hammig (pretty old but in good state), whole silver, high wave lip plate (which I never used and didn't want) only slightly more expensive than option 1 (I know it is bargain, problem is high wave lip plate)

3. Yamaha 311 or 371 for normal price (a bit expensive for me now, twice as much as option 1)

I used to play Pearl 661 RE - silver headjoint. I thought that Yamaha 311 would be perfect fit for me, and Yamaha 211 could be sufficient, but than Hammig appeared and made a choice much more complicated.

Looking forward any advice.

The 300 series Yamahas have the same cut of headjoint as the 200's (in fact, it doesn't change until the 500's), so the 300 Yamaha will play almost the same as a 200 series Yammie. You might save money by going with the 211. As for the Hammig, the headjoint could always be replaced with a head with a traditional lip down the line if you like the feel of the mechanism. Ultimately, you need to playtest your options and see what suits you best. Also keep in mind that there are more companies out there producing flutes in the range you're looking at than Pearl and Yamaha. I would strongly suggest looking into some of the other options that are available as well as the ones you've listed here.

Flutist06 is right, of course. I tried the 211 and the 311, and really didn't hear/feel an awful lot of difference. I can't help thinking though that in comparison to your previous flute you'd be rather disappointed with the Yamahas you're considering. I am now the proud owner of a secondhand Miyazawa, which I adore, and much prefer to the Yamahas I tried. But as loads of people told me when I asked for advice on this forum with buying, you've just got to try them first! You express part of yourself with your flute, so it's a very personal decision. Are these mail order flutes? Where do they come from?

The high wave cut is now little out-to-date. But as Chris said, it's also a personal matter, and I'd go for try playing any flute you might have in mind to have a better judgement on how to choose one.

good luck,
Zevang

I'm a doubler...mostly play sax, but 3-4 times a month get a call to bring a flute along. Until recently, I played a Gemeinhardt 3SB open-hole, in-line flute (conservatory, all sterling). Recently, had a little problem with it and grabbed my daughters 225 Yamaha for a gig. It was a breeze to play and I got kudos on my sound and projection. I contacted Liz at Winds101.com and she set me up with a fully reconditioned older Yamaha 225 with an intermediate silver CY cut head for a VERY attractive price compared to anything I could get new. This is an awesome setup, and I would recommend it to anyone but the most discerning professional. I will never play an open-hole flute again!!! Also, if you are spending less than $500 on a flute, Yamaha is the only sensible choice...they make an exceptional basic flute body, and with the addition of a step-up headjoint, it's pretty unbeatable compared to anything I've played for less than $1000.

If you get along well with the Yamaha (and it is in good condition), then I would go with it. You will be able to save your pennies for a pro headjoint to use in it later if you so desire. Or, you could go with the internet flute option; Liz will set you up with the silver CY headjoint on a refurbished 200 series body (exactly the same as a Yamah 311 setup, really) if that's what floats your boat, and it will probably cost the same as the Yammie in your local music store. Liz will also have some fancier headjoints around if you want to give that a try; if I had my flute stolen I would probably buy a Yam 200 with whatever pro headjoint worked well for me.

The silver head, though, if they are both machine-cut CY headjoints, won't make much difference, if any. I had a 'lemon' sterling handcut Yamaha CY headjoint and it played like a dog compared with the silverplate headjoint on my Pearl 501.

Second point: if you keep your flute in a Yamaha 200 series plastic case,- decorated with stickers, even- it might be less likely to be stolen. If you really don't want people to think your flute is worth stealing, put it in a Bundy case from the '70s!!

Actually, you can get Muramatsus for about $2500 if you know where to shop. Of course, that's the EX, so if you wanted a DS, fully loaded, then you'd run up a bill of about $7500 or $8000. And do you mean a Dean Yang flute? I've never heard of Ding-Yang flutes, especially not in that price range!

Thanks for the cork tip, Micron. I did in fact have the cork checked for leaks on the flute (rather than cork) end. The embouchure cut was visibly asymmetrical, more round on one side and more rectangular on the other, and I attributed its oddities to that. It did play, and well enough that I could have used it, but the headjoint on my Pearl played better. I replaced the silver CY head with a Prima Sankyo NRS-1 and have been very happy with it.

Glad to hear you found a nice flute through Liz. She does have very good deals and is great doing business with. I have a Yamaha 221 with a Powell headjoint for $500 for grabs now, it is too bad I didn't know you were looking for one sooner. I also sell used reburnished Yamaha flutes, but I don't usually carry upgraded heads with them like Liz does. I mostly sell student flutes. She has a good this going with that and that is really a great idea. Enjoy your flute.

Kara,
I left you a message. I am wondering if you have contact information about Liz? I am interested in getting info from you on your refurbished Yamaha flutes.

I have replied to your message, thanks for your interest

Here is the link where you can get a hold of Liz.

http://www.winds101.com/

Thank you very much for usefull advices! I found second hand Yamaha 311 in good condition and for reasonable price. It seems to be perfect fir for me, although I was used to open hole (I had to have plug in G anyway). I have heard a huge difference between 211 and 311, and since there are limited possibilities to buy silver headjoint for reasonable price in Czech Republic and went for the 311.

I am happy I found 8notes.com - I am looking forward posting more interesting question to this forum.

Thank you all again.

I did try the different headjoints on the same body and not only I but also my boyfriend (musician, but not flutist) did hear the difference.

<Added>

Maybe the nickel silver headjoint was bad itself, but I like my new flute.

I can also add something probably interesting for you. In Europe (Czech Republic and countries around) people don't consider open holes and b-foot to be sign of a pro flute. I have seen b-foot once in my life on lousy old flute. Open holes are more spread, especially on intermediate and pro flutes. In general older players usually prefer closed holes, younger prefer open hole (but it is still aproximatly 50% of both). I would even say that it is easier to buy (and sell) used closed hole flute than open hole. Music stores have mostly closed hole flutes on display (all price ranges).

Some stores which are selling second hand flutes are buying them from US (mostly closed holes again). These flutes are really cheap compared to other secondhand flutes that can be found on Czech market. After I went through other threads on this forum I understand why

I love the idea of keeping the flute in a "bundy case from the 70's." That's funny.