I recently purchased a Muramatsu EX, and I've been reading that muramatsu uses their own pads, and that it is hard to get them replaced. I don't currently have any problems with my flute. Infact it plays wonderfully, but I was wondering for the future if this would be a costly thing.

Are all of muramatsu flutes made with these or just the higher end ones? and if they are, will it be difficult if I ever have a pad problem to get a new one put on? and how much would it cost?

As long as Muramatsu America is in business you should have no problems getting it repadded as you can always send the flute to them and they should be guaranteed to have the correct pads in stock.

many flute repair shops across the country are trained in japan by the muramatsu company. to be able to do work on the flute without voiding your warranty, the technician MUST be certified by muramatsu. There they put on all the muramatsu approved stuff, such as pads. they fit just like a traditional felt pad, but they are made of something different or have something different or more "high end" on them. not sure what it is, but many of the techies on here probably do.

My problem is that I can't send it to MA because it's one of those "grey market" flutes. I know of one place that is somewhat near to me that is Muramatsu certified but I'm not sure if they would work on my flute because it is grey market.

Right now I'm not having problems so I guess I'm just nervous over nothing, but I just want to know in case I ever do have a problem.