I currently have a Trevor James Virtuoso II and I am looking to upgrade. I have seriously been considering the Muramatsu DS model. Does anybody have any opinions or advice on Muramatsu flutes? What are some other brands out there that are still good but that are under $8000? Please help me out, thanks!

I recently bought a muramatsu EX III...the new model. The headjoints are (IMHO) greatly improved from the earlier ones. I tried a DS and really couldn't tell the difference between the body/action/feel between the silver DS and the plated EX. The headjoint on the DS was maybe a little fussier and slightly more brilliant, but I liked the warmth of the EX headjoint. It's an awesome flute...

i have a ds. there is no difference between the ex and the ds. the ex is lighter, you might like that. also nicer on the bank. i have a burkart headjoint though because my sound with the muramatsu was extremely dark and muddy. i love my flute. after owning it for a few years, ive never had it serviced (needs it) but its not in bad shape. ive played other flutes that have been out of the shop in less than a month and mine held up a lot better

dont be afraid to try other headjoints.

The Trevor James Virtuoso II I currently have (I've had it for about 7 years) is much too bright sounding for my liking. I don't know if you are familiar with the Trevor James, but would an EX be darker than the Virtuoso? I am looking for a flute that has a clearer, warmer tone and that plays the high register and soft notes easily. Is the EX that type of flute?

I also find it very interesting that the EX and the DS sound the same! If that is so, then definitely the EX would be the way to go because its a lot cheaper.


Questions for everyone:
Does anyone disagree that the EX and DS are similar?

What brand of headjoint do you have on your Muramatsu flute and how do you like it?

I own a Muramatsu EX as a back up flute to my Yamaha 821 but when testing out flutes i tried both the EX and GX models, and for me there was a distinct difference in almost every aspect .... tone, mechanism etc., of course it could be that the GX felt more like my Yamaha which is what i'm used to. I prefered the GX but couldn't afford it, however in my price range i liked the EX more than any other flute I tried in the shop.

Fortunately my Nagahara head fits both flutes, but i agree that the Muramatsu head on the EX is a very good one.

Hope this helps
Angie

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Meant to say - i'm aware that the headjoint on EX and GX is the same.

The Nagahara sounds different in both flutes. It's slightly brighter and warmer in the Yamaha which is the tone i prefer.

both are good flutes, but you can probably pull more color out of a good Muramatsu, see what your headjoint options are..

I just got a used Muramatsu EX. I love it. My teacher heard it for the first time yesterday and she loves it. The scale is great on the flute. Embouchre adjustments are very slight for intonation. This flute is amazing.

Thanks so much for all of your comments! They are really helping me out. Does anybody have a DS?

mbrowne1229 does...read the comments above already posted;-.

i said before. i own a ds. i also said that if money is an issue (cant see shelling out $7500 for a flute) buy an ex or even a gx. ive heard some people say that a ds can be more finicky than either of the other models, but personally i cant tell a difference. well, mine is more heavier than either of the others (fractionally) and much more expensive. the amount of silver is the only difference and the silver content truly doesnt matter. dont be blinded by this.

i think youd be better off buying a lesser expensive model than the ds and investing the money saved on a headjoint. you can buy a gx ($5300 and solid silver with plated keys) and even buy a burkart headjoint with a gold lip and riser (i wish i couldve afforded that particular one when headjoint shopping) for the same kind of money as the muramatsu ds.

again, dont be blinded by the silver content..... please. the ex is just as good of a flute as a ds and much less expensive.

I just play tested a Trevor James Virtuoso flute today as a matter of fact. I would say that the Muramatsu flute plays a LOT darker than the Trevor James.There is really no comparison. I used to own a Mura DS a few years ago before I sold it to buy a Powell. I recently bought a Mura EX to use as a backup flute as I need to get my Powell serviced and it is fantastic! I like it better than the DS that I had. Also, when I play tested the EX, GX and DS at the flute fair I honestly could not hear a difference. Mbrown is right, don't get caught up in material unless you only want it to keep forever as it will not pit and no plating will ware. I use a Nagahara headjoint on the EX that I have, but I also like the original Mura headjoint that came on it. Many people don't, but I really like this particular one that I have. For sound wise, Powell is always the winner in my book, but for key action the Mura wins.

If you search older posts I was in the same position with you two months ago and I was seeking help from the forum. I also own a Trevor James (its at the same level as virtuosso but I had it for 20 years now and the model name did not exist). To be honest, although I love my TJ and I will keep it for studying, there is no comparison with the Muramatsu. Both in terms of sound (tone, colour, versatility) and in terms of mechanism action. If your playing requires an upgrade then you will not fail to notice the differences immediately.

However, unless you want to go for the EX that it is very attractive pricing wise (and I don't know if others have similar offering), you have to play other flutes too in this price range before deciding on Muramatsu because it's a matter of taste and you might find yourself more comfortable on other flutes.

Kara, I am amazed at your collection of flutes and piccolos! It seems like you are always buying something to add to or replace something in your collection. You've tried everything and you've owned a lot.

May I ask how many (and which) flutes and piccolos you currently have? How many others have you owned in the past? You've also auditioned or tried out many others.

You must have a great supply of liquid cash -- or very good credit!!

I buy and sell flutes as a business, so I have to have a collection. They are not all mine. Because I am in the business, I like to keep up to date and try as many brands and models as I can to help others. I own two flutes and two piccolos. I just work hard and use my own money to buy them, I am not rich.

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"You must have a great supply of liquid cash -- or very good credit!!"

It is pretty rude to assume something like that and ask someone something like that on a public forum. That is my own private business. I am not trying to be rude, but I do play the flute professionaly and should not have to feel like I have to justify anything to anyone.

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"You must have a great supply of liquid cash -- or very good credit!!"

It is pretty rude to assume something like that and ask someone something like that on a public forum. That is my own private business. I am not trying to be rude, but I do play the flute professionaly and should not have to feel like I have to justify anything to anyone.

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Sorry for posting that twice. My mom's computers is acting weird.

Looks like someone let the thing get tarnished into a giant blob of blackish crud for 30-40 years and then probably dumped it in an ultrasonic cleaner to get rid of it.

Moral: wiping down your flute every few months that it's not in use will prevent this.