i would splurge and go for the pearl. if you tried the yamaha and didnt like it, chances are you wont like the yamaha 500 either. if you want to try a used flute, dont limit your options to just a yamaha or just a pearl.

Plekto, I did ask you a question, did you see it? Just checking. ... wondering if you are just ignoring me. Come on.. inquiring minds want to know

Kara - sorry, I was mistaken - I could have sworn she posted here from time to time.

If you liked the Pearl 505, and made a good sound on it, and you want to have a split E,that would be the obvious choice. If you could not make a good clean sound on the 'upgrade' with silver lip plate, forget it. t should have the same embochure cut as the 505, so I would think it would play the same, but if not it might have a problem either with the actual cut or the adjustment/setup in terms of leaks.

I have a Pearl 501 (the last model) as a backup flute, it plays really nicely and fits my fance headjoints, so I can swap to and from my expensive flute.

I also think in your budget, it would be silly not to consider a really nice used flute, for $1000 you could get something really nice, like a rebuilt student Yamaha (or Pearl, with split E)and put a pro headjoint in it.

I have heard the same reaction from a music store owner regarding the Jupiter flutes. He told me that the Jupiter brass instruments were really, really bad and unrepairable, essentially junk. The brass instruments have not had the benefit of a re-design like Altus did for their flutes. The Jupiter flutes now are a lot better, and definitely worth trying out.

As far as finding a good used flute, my repair guy lets me ship anything straight to him so he could look at its state of repair and adjustment, and if it was ok or only needed a little tweak, I could try it then. If it would be a $350 rebuild, he will send it back.

Bottom line, buy the flute that YOU play well, and like to play. If you are inexperienced, many flute teachers will help to find that perfect upgrade flute.

Why limit yourself to what the local stores only carry? Give Flute World a call and have several different models sent to you on trial. I am willing to bet that FW can get you a lot better prices than any local music store can too.

It sounds like you have your mind made up already though.

I play equally well on my Yamaha 581 (with a handcut CY head) as I do on my Pearl 765 CODA. I don't notice any difference between the to when playing them. The only reason I upgraded to the Pearl was the CODA package includes the C# trill.

I recently upgraded to a handmade Muramatsu DS with the Tsubasa head joint and C# trill. For me that flute blows both the Pearl and the Yamaha out of the water (as it should for the price I paid for it!).