Alright, so in a nutshell, here's my situation-- one i'm sure everyone has seen in some variation a thousand times--

I'm looking to buy a new flute. Well, specifically, my 16th birthday present, so the budget is...preferably 10 grand and under. Basically i've been comparing two brands: Muramatsu and Miyazawa. And since i'm sure everyone will ask, my previous flute is a yamaha (a "nicer" one, but yeah, I know...), i've been playing for 6 years, and i'm an excruciatingly serious player. Not a prodigy, but a lot of natural talent. I'd like to take my playing to the next level.

Well, here's my main criteria-- if you've got a good suggestion it's ok to veer from it a bit:
1)Open holed keys.
2)B foot extension.
3)TONE QUALITY in all registers!!
4) I'd REALLY like to get one with the "wings" on the headjoint, specifically...

Alright. So I guess what I need is advice, pointers, and possibly websites where I can FIND these high quality flutes. Also, used-vs-brand new? Thank you SO much to anyone who takes th time to help me-- i'm picky but I want to do this RIGHT!

THANK YOU!

Check out flutes from:
http://www.flutes4sale.com/
http://www.fluteworld.com/
http://www.flutesmith.com/
http://www.flutes.com/
http://www.flute4u.com/

I can not tell you what flute to get as they all have their own qualities and with a price range of up to 10 grand, I don't think you can go wrong with any brand in that price range. My favorite is Powell.

If you go for a used flute make sure to get a trial and have it evaluated by a good repair tech.
With the wing lip are you speaking of Alder wings?

Now when it comes down to what you should also get on a flute as far as options, that is also entirely up to you.

Tone quality in all registers is up to the player, not the flute. I can sound like a million bucks on my Powell but then pass it to a person less advanced and it won't sound the same in all registers. By the time one is looking for an upgrade of around 10 grand, then I would think that any small subtleties would be apparent to the buyer of the flute. Try out as many brands as you can. Flutists will have many different opinions when it comes to which brand is good or not, so that is up to you to decide in the end.

Yes; I am referring to the Alder wings-- although to be honest, they are a fairly new discovery to me. Thank you very much for the helpful advice; I appreciate it, espacially all the web site references! The tone quality issue, to clarify it, I kind of mean brand quirks-- although I really don't know how often that crops up in high quality flutes if it occurrs at all. For instance, you read reviews about certain models, and it might be noted something about a certain range of notes, or specific notes. But yes, the player specifically is certainly the defining factor for tone quality.

Again, THANK YOU.

I favor Powell. Recommend you compare it with other flutes of interest.

I have to chime in, too! Definitely go handmade...if you are looking to get THE flute for you...handmade will produce the better and even tone quality moreconsistently. I also want to put a shameless plug in for the Miyazawa Boston Classic (which is around 11 grand, but if you like it the best I am sure saving the last 1000 or so wouldn't be a problem, and it is better to save more and buy once than buy once to get you by til you buy the next 15 or 20000 dollar flute!), and a plug for the flute that I just ordered...Jack Moore. Super awesome guy that makes better than super awesome flutes! You can only contact him by email, but it's worth a shot if he can send you one for a trial. His prices are very reasonable, a sterling silver flute is $6,700 plus options...you can get all of the options including a gold lip plate and still be around $9,000.

find a dealer that carries most of the best hand-made flutes, close your eyes and see which feels and sounds best, also consider an older Powell or Haynes with a headjoint you like, that is what most pros do..if you have that much to spend, definitely take your time and try the best, and remember, a good flute can always sell easily if you change your mind someday...

check out www.yourfluteworks.com

wow. you are very lucky to be getting a nice flute for your 16th birthday. i didnt even get the pleasure of someone remembering my 16th birthday... id actually look into seeing what flutes they carry at the flute specialists. they have higher grade flutes than many places. i wouldnt look so much on their website beacuse they havent updated it in a very long time, but if you make a phone call there, they will help you a lot.

http://www.flutespecialists.com

ive always found them to be very kind and helpful and mom-n-pop like as well. they tend to have a large variety of new and used flutes and are willing to get the flute you want, even if they dont have it. i try to direct my business to them rather than flute world, as ive had many bad experiences with a certain employee...

Yes Robert is a great guy. One word of advice though, be VERY clear in what you want when telling him, he sometimes gets a little scatter brained. But.. we luv him anyway!

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Mbrown, I bet it is the same person everyone else complains about at FW too. It is too bad. She can be really nice, I think she is just one of those people that you have to really get to know before she ummm.. opens up, shall I say?

yes, he does have a tendency to let his mind run away, but he is a very nice man who knows his sh... stuff. and yes, i do believe we talk of the same person. i dont think they are good when directing younger students through to buying an instrument, however. i think this person is great when a more advanced player is in need of assistance, but not a high schooler. this person is also very opinionated in specific merchandise.

Ahh.. the whole age discrimination thing. I got that for MANY years especially since I looked younger and sound younger. I still get it over the phone. I HATE THAT! That is not cool at all. I usually ask for D when I call anyway.

yes. a very nice person, i must say. and very helpful as well. and ive gotten the same thing. except i am young. haha. but age doesnt determine if you can play or not and it sucks.

I am thrilled when people think I am younger, that's why I wear a baseball cap a lot...music does keep you young though..

i guess once you reach a certain age, you want to appear younger. until that day comes, we all want to look older. more respect comes with age. and come on, who honestly doesnt want to be treated with good ol' fashioned respect?

since when am I respected?? wish my students felt that way..haha..

hey, i have a B MUS and don't have a 10 grand flute...5-6 grand powell, but not 10 grand