I ahave been searching for too long for a new flute and I have been thinking about getting a powell philiharmominc head for my Yamaha 285 but I don't know if I should because it is also my marching flute. I was gonna do the samething with a 584 because of the gold springs but is it really worth it.

Whats wrong with using a prof. head for marching? But my opinion is that is you have a student Yamaha, you should maybe get a new flute all-over. A powell headjoint can cost more then some pretty nice intermediate flutes. But on the gold springs thing. I really dont know what they do. I hear that they give better key action.

http://www.winds101.com/headjoints.htm
Call or email Liz for a current price range. Good professional quality headjoints can start for as little as $500-$600. They will play worlds better on any flute that you put them on than a student model headjoint.

The Yamaha upper level headjoints are very inexpensive used as well - $450 or so on average. The EC is very good for quick response and dynamics like you'd find in a typical marching band.(also good for Jazz, though it does nothing much for me personally)

P.S. the CY listed there for $450 is the handmade version that was used on the older 500 and 600 series about a decade ago. It's not the student model by a long shot.

Okay Plekto, I can't help but wonder after the many, many post of advertising for Winds101 if you are Liz herself? Not that I object at all, just curious is all

I think that the silver plated head on the student Yamaha flutes are just as good as the solid silver Yamaha heads. It is not the metal that makes the difference. I do like the 500 series better than the 200 series and I think it would be a more wise choice to upgrade to the 500 or up series and put a handmade headjoint on that one. Just not a Yamaha headjoint.

There is nothing wrong with putting a handmade head on a 200 series, but expect to pay $1000 and up for even a used one. If it is priced for only $450-$500 and it is used, there is a reason for it.

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I should also add that of course you should definitely try out headjoint before you buy as the Powell headjoint may not be for you. You can't always go by what others may like.

As for marching with the flute, just keep the original headjoint and don't march then with the handmade headjoint on it.

Heh. No, I just find her prices reasonable and I like to support smaller companies wherever possible.

As for marching, let's face it - you could march with a $50 piece of junk and it'd make no difference in how the audience hears it. It's fine to let it get beat up for now and get a real flute when you get into college.