Not I Micron

Not I Micron

Bilbo, do you mean you don't disagree, or that you don't consider the cheap Pearls overrated?

try both, see which you like better, try a Jupiter while you are at it

the yamahas, from my experience, are built like a tank. the pearls seem to be more delicate. HOWEVER, i am not a fan of the student yamahas. i havent actually played the 500 series pearls, ive only played the quantz coda flutes (665 and 765) and i thought they were nice flutes for the money. i do know someone who bought a pearl 525 and shes a performance major in college (a rather poor student who was playing on a ::shudders:: sky). she sounds wonderful on it, though ive never tried it. i think it would be the same as the 665 or the 765 except completely silver plated...

i know many people will probably maim me for being against a yamaha flute, but i think you may get more out of a pearl than a yamaha. the student "cy" cut on the headjoint is probably the worst cut ive ever played on. the "ec" cut isn't much better, either. i think the pearl may be the way to go. but make sure you try both out before you buy.

good luck!

I have a Pearl 665 and I'd prefer it over a yamaha any day.

I'd recommend finding a good used 500 series Yahama instead. These are nice intermediate range flutes that are workhorses. If we were talking cars, these would be a Toyota or Buick - the better ones like an Avalon or similar.

Is it a Porsche or Mercedes or BMW? Nope. Then again, it'll work just as well for anyone who isn't a pro driver and just needs something to get the job done without being a basic econobox, either.

In short, they're tough, have a decent handmade headjoint, and have a decent sound.

Where to find one is another whole post, of course. I'm partial to winds101, but that's mostly because the owner is a member here and also is quite helpful. OTOH, there a a LOT of these used out there, so the chance of finding one at a local music store is also quite high.

Try to see if you can play test those flutes, thats really the only way to see which flute is best for you, although any of those are good quality so I don't think you'd waste your money either way.

And like mentioned above, a hand cut head joint really does make a big difference, so if you can find a used 500 series Yamaha definitely go for that!

I'm partial to winds101, but that's mostly because the owner is a member here and also is quite helpful.

Are you sure you are thinking of the same person? Liz is the seller of winds101 and she does not post on this site. I talk to her on a regular basis, so I am sure of this.

I am not going to get into the debate of Yamaha vrs. Pearl.

I will add that I highly recommend Jupiter flutes. I just recently tried out a few of the newer line by them and was VERY impressed! I will be carrying Jupiter along with Yamaha in my sales line now. They are much more moderately priced than the Yamaha also and play wonderfully.

Did you try the Jupiter? I hate split E's myself. Why are you limiting yourself to only Yamaha and Pearl? Why not buy a use reburnished flute? You can get a Yamaha reburnished flute for under $300 as compared to a new one which costs $800. Winds101 and Fluteragious have these in stock. There are other brands that are great, don't sell yourself short. Flute World will send a bunch of flutes out on trial to you also.

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Pearl is definitely good at selling student-intermediate flute because they do offer more gizmo's and gadgets and a LOT cheaper price then others. A word of helpful advise, just don't get caught up with extra features though. You are looking for a flute, not features :) I have nothing against Pearl flutes in general, they are just not on my top favorites.

Ask the store owner how long he has been playing flute or IF he even plays. Chances are he is trying to pawn off the only two brands he carries because he does not specialize in flutes and will tell you what you want to hear in order to make a sale. Harsh, but true. If Jupiter flutes were poor in quality, trust me, I wouldn't be selling them as I am VERY picky and I don't sell junk and Patrick (a top professional recording artist)would not be endorsing them either. All, I am saying is don't limit yourself if you can help it. You may find something that you like much better. Besides, flute shopping is always fun. Best of luck with it.

IME, a person who can spend $1000 on a new flute can also easily send a couple of hundred more on twice the flute used.

That opens up a huge number of choices in the intermediate/semi-pro level. I mentioned the Yamaha because a 500 series is silly simple to locate used to try out. It's not a Sankyo or other high-end flute at this level, but it's much better than a student model.