So I've been on a headjoint hunt. Stupid me, I sold my headjoint before picking out a headjoint to buy. BUT I sold it a nice price and it would've been unlikely that I sell for anywhere near that if I didn't sell then.

I've been trying the Tom Green headjoints, but I'm definitely not 100% happy with any of them yet. What is the difference between an oval cut and a square cut? Which brands are more famous for each cut?

Ok, now what about the Burkart headjoints? Your feelings?

Do you know of any USED HEADJOINTS for under $1200 ??? It's getting down the line for me and I absolutely have to buy one ASAP!

HELP!!!!!

brought home 3 more tonight. a BURKART an ARISTA and a MIYAZAWA(mz-8 cut)

im very excited, because i fell in love with all three. i really think one of these may be it. and after an hour or more of trying, i really feel that may be so, especially for my price range.

YEEEEEE!!!!!!!

how do i know which cut the burkart is? it doesnt say. and its used

You could try looking under the lip plate. There should be a # under there. Then call the Burkart factory, give it to them and they would be able to know.

I personally like the Arista the best out of the ones you have right now. The Miya is too edgy for the sound that I like. The Burkarts are nice also.

Miguel Arista makes them. There's a cut, the Tally I think, that I want.

Miguel and Manuel Arista's story is all here:

http://www.emanuelflutes.com/Manuel.html

flute center does have some good ones now, also check out www.yourfluteworks.com, she has some really nice headjoints for sale now, and she, Anne, gets things in all the time...

also, some of the headjoint manufacturers may have trial programs, have you tried Williams, www.williamsflutes.com, his are amazing, IMO

the cut of the arista i have right now is the T cut you were referring to. its probably the most "different" out of the 3 i have. the others are cut so square and rectangular, where as the arista is so round. im going to take some pictures and sound clips later today. interested in hearing/seeing, let me know!

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by the way, i see no number under the lip plate on the burkart...

Sure, I'm interested in seeing and hearing the differences. I've never found my dream headjoint. My wants all seem to contradict each other. My headjoint should be:

very responsive and easy to articulate but doesn't crack notes easily
Sweet and focused but powerful
It should have some edge but not a constant hiss or sizzle
Not obnoxiously bright but definitely not dark, muddled and unresponsive(I hated my Mura, never again)
The sound should be clear but easy to change colors

I don't think my headjoint exists.

i know EXACTLY what youre talking about! my wants are so similar. and thats exactly why i sold my muramatsu head.

The problems here is the difficulty in changing tones - it's harder with a darker, more powerful sounding "old school" headjoint. As opposed that is, to "new" ones that seem to be about how loud and focused they are - like Kara said - sounds like a trumpet(instead of say a French Horn - I'll add this obvious bit)

Almost by definition, the sound you want means a much higher resistance cut and a smaller range of tones. This is why a lot of players have two headjoints and swap them as the music dictates.

Mbrown, if the numbers are not under the lip plate, unscrew the crown and at the top of the inside of the headjoint should be something. If it is not there, then I don't know...

there are a few numbers on the headjoint itsself, right under the logo. its a 247. does this sound right?

i have all 3 recorded and pictured. private message me with email info!

I think that is the number you can give to Burkart and they will tell you. Sarah should be able to help you with that. She takes care of that stuff there.

Do you still have my email address? If so, I would like to hear the headjoints. Thanks!

I cant seem to get the pictures large enough to show the details in each one. i will try again. but if youre interested in just the audio, i have them in an email.