I've owned a Sankyo Etude B since 2004 that's currently in perfect working order. (Never did get that Powell I've always wanted, I envy you Kara :=)). Anyway, I've decided that I've been getting in a slump with my soprano flute playing, so only owning the one Sankyo, which hurts when you're having it worked on, I decided to try other flutes in the same price range to see how the competition fares. Flute World sent me a brand new Muramatsu EX III (currently $350 more than the Sankyo) to trial. I must say that the flute is a good contender. It's only been the first day, but it may be hard to send this one back, and it allows me to appreciate my Sankyo more at the same time. Both flutes have good intonation, scale, and playability.

I see why the EX has a reputation for being dark, but I don't think that's the way to describe it. It may have the Sankyo beat slightly on dynamic range, at the expensive of some treble, but not alot, which is probably what allows the Sankyo to project somewhat better. Also, my right pinky is slightly more comfortable with the Sankyo footjoint (may need more time on the EX) and the EX is a little heavier in weight. Also, Sankyo doesn't let the pins in the mechanism stick up. The EX has 4 adjustment screws, the Sankyo has 3. Anyway, both are good flutes. I'll keep everyone posted about my findings, since we all love this kind of info.

I should have a Nomata Series III in my hands at the end of the week, it will be interesting to see what the guy from Yamaha was able to offer on his own for $3,000 dollars. This is a tough price break for a pro flute.

I'm figuring that the Sankyo and the Muramatsu are probably going to be the picks at this price level. The Nomata is silver tubing, but the Etude and the EX are not, which is supposed to be the trade off allowing more effort to be put into making the flute better (more handwork). I'll keep everyone posted on this issue as well. I'm going back to playing.

OK, Nomata showed up today. The flute looks nice, gold crown, pin barely stick out, 3 adjustment screws, insignia plaque on headjoint, nice engraving on body below headjoint.

Initial impression, not so good, not at this price anyway. The feel of the instrument ergonomically is not up th par with Sankyo and Muramatsu, and the headjoint isn't as cooperative. The footjoint feels a little clunky and not pleasant enough for sliding around on low notes. A slight footjoint rotation improved this, but still not doin' it for me. Trill keys not quite right; The feel of the Bb shake key and Briccaldi lever could be much better. I'm wondering if maybe this flute would be more suited to someone with shorter digits (fingers) than mine.

My overall first impression of the Nomata is of a cheaper, less handcrafted flute, which is exactly what I was afraid of, but it doesn't hurt to verify these things on your own. I don't believe the flute is defective, it appears to be truly new (not trial'd yet), but I'm going to go play it awhile and return to something familiar for a sanity check. I also want to comapare tone, but I can tell already that it's brighter than the others. I don't particularly like the tone yet either, but I'm going to give it a fair shake.

It may have been unfair to compare flutes at the same price level when one has silver tubing and another doesn't. Any thoughts ?

Interesting update:: I started playing a while on the Nomata and I was starting to get used to it, but I just kept feeling like my biggest pans were the footjoint ergomonics/keywork and the headjoint cut. Getting to the point where I was saying to myself, "why kill valuable practice time fighting this thing ?" and wanting to isolate the headjoint as a source of difficulty for the purpose of reporting my trial to this group, I decided to see if the Nomata headjoint would slip into the Sankyo body. Sure enough, it did, although the Sankyo head is a little too snug to risk pushing it into the Nomata body.

The Nomata head on the Sankyo body made a great match, so the headjoint isn't a problem for me. I'm not sure if my discomfort with the ergonomics of the Nomata body is affecting my playability or not, but I doubt it. (That was just a problem for 20 minutes). On the Sankyo body, intonation, tone, and response are restored. I'm wondering if the pads are a problem. Everyone seems to be sealing properly with relatively light pressure, but the pads are strange looking, like a brand or type I haven't seen before. Any thoughts or questions would be appreciated for the purpose of our educational benefit.

At this point, I can only say good things about Mr. Nomata's headjoint. I don't like the footjoint, and don't know what to think about the body.

OK, now I realize I'm talking to myself. Anyway, I don't know if I should have started a new thread every time I updated myself, but I guess I'll end it with this one. I tried the flutes, and I don't think I'll bother going on and on playing the Nomata flute.

Let's suffice it to say, that while it may be a good flute if properly setup, it wouldn't do it for me anyway. The feel of the body and more so the footjoint remind me of an inexpensive American flute even though it looks kinda nice, as I stated earlier. The tone wasn't as bad as I initially thought after I got used to the headjoint, although there amy be some pad issues. If I slow down some and get a little more heavy handed, the tone isn't so bad.

The headjoint is reminiscent (to me) of a typical Yamaha EC headjoint (I did play one in the now distant past), but this would make sense when you consider who's name is on it.

Bottom line: If budgeting around $3,000 for a new flute, my choices are the Sankyo & Muramatsu offerings.
I'm going to keep playing the Muramatsu. If you can swing another $1,400, go for the Powell Signature B.
If you can spend $7,000 and it's justified, I envy you.

No, You are not talking to yourself. Some of us are reading. It is nice to know about the Nomata flutes. I was always a little curious.

Thanks for that vampav8trix.

I also wanted to try and compare the Miyazawa 202 as well, but I didn't know a place where I could trial a new one.

This is all very interesting reading for me. I've only had two flutes in my lifetime...and I must be very behind with my information on what is actually out there for choices. You guys are going to laugh at what I currently play and love because it is an old M3S Gemeinhardt that I received for my 16th birthday (no car that year for me...LOL). Yes, it was used when I received it from my mother (who knew absolutely nothing about flutes when she bought it). Hey, I even have it in its original case.

So, on to my real point of discussion. I was in the store today and played the pro model of the Amadeus Haynes. I liked the tone of the lower register, but the upper was somewhat more problematic. I liked it, but I don't think I like it enough for the $3000 price tag (I'm still in the middle of paying for my 6th grader's new trombone). I've also played on some of the Yamaha models, which have nice tones, but I still prefer my own flute to most of them. I also have to admit that I truly enjoyed playing the almost antique Haynes model flute that my college instructor used during our lessons and actually let me try one time. Any suggestions for me as I begin the process of looking for a more upscale flute? I sure hope someone checks this thread or I will just have to make a new post among the many...

Thanks!

if you like older Haynes, such as the one I play, you can find them for a reasonable price, one student of mine got a beautiful Haynes from the early 1960's and it is incredible...keep yours eyes open, they are out there, try to work with dealers that have a trial policy

Thanks for the information. I think I will check back into the local flute society and see if I can find any leads through them as well. I am completely unfamiliar with any local area flute dealers (other than the music stores), so I am going to take my time. My old gem seems to be giving me fits with its adjustments, and I'm getting into my busy time of year with it. I'd love to have a better flute as my primary and go to using the gem as my back-up. Oh, the dreams we weave...

Me again. Back in maybe 2002 or 2003, I played in the flute section of a volunteer concert band. One of my fellow players there at the time had an old Haynes (from the 60's or 70's) which sounded fantastic and seemed to be a very good player. I have since always been impressed with the high end Haynes flutes, but I have no idea how they fare in the lower price ranges, like their budget line. Have fun checking out the flutes. Sharing experience can be a wonderful thing for all of us, so let us know how you do, if you can find the time. Regards.

"I've also played on some of the Yamaha models, which have nice tones, but I still prefer my own flute to most of them."

...this is the flute that you've played for 15-20 years, guessing that you're mid 30s with a 6th grader. I'm an instrument tech and my experience with most players is that when they compare their 'old familiar' axe with anything new, they bring all the habits they have developed to make that axe play its best. One of the things about better-made instruments is they play more evenly and require fewer heroics to play with even tone and intonation. When you apply your habits designed to compensate for these on an inferior instrument, it often seems 'reluctant'. The Yamahas are excellent flutes...worth getting used to, but your M3 is also a competent flute...much better than the current Gemis (I played a 3SB until a year or two ago).

<Added>

I now play a Muramatsu EX III...tried the Sankyo and loved it, but couldn't afford both. I kept a Yamaha 311 for backup.

Ah, yes. I owned and fell in love with my Sankyo first 5 yrs. sooner.
Now I'm into the Muramatsu and I can keep both. Different animals.
Now if I could only afford all of the other soprano and alto flutes
I'd like to own and play !

BTW, you mentioned a Yamaha 311 as a backup. Quite a while ago
I had a Yamaha (282 ?) with an EC headjoint (not the stock HJ),
and it made a great knockaround flute. Maybe I shouldn't have sold it?
Excellent body for an under $500 flute at the time. HJ was $500 + !

I'm back again...

Ok, so attempting to figure out how to get a "new" flute is more complicated than I can imagine having time to spend (not to mention the money). I'm not going to give up on my quest, though.

By the way, thanks for the reminder about my age...remember that 6th grade is only 11 years old and I "could" still be in my 20's...

What bad habits might I have??...I'm sure I don't have those...LOL! I also have NO exaggerated sense of how I play these days. I'm not basing my opinion of the Yamaha solely on my own playing, though. I've heard them played by professionals. I think they are wonderful flutes, but the "feel" is something for which I would have to take time and make adjustments.

I guess I should post a short sound bite of my flute on the site with my user information(don't know if that is possible). I've heard other Gem's played over the years, and the one I have just seems to have a different sound, which I can't put into words other than maybe "rich and full"?? I think the highest compliment I was ever paid after playing was an orchestra concert during sophomore year. I was principal that year (smaller university, fewer flute players interested in orchestra vs. band). After the concert, the "pickiest" music department professor amazed me when he told me the he thought my flute instructor had been playing the part (the one with the older Haynes flute). I'm no longer at that level of flute playing simply due to lack of attention to my own practice and lack of time to focus. Hey, I'm working to change that! I miss playing on a more regular basis and being challenged.

By now, some of "ya'll" might be able to tell by my verbiage that I'm from the south (but I attended college in the midwest). So sorry if I get a little bit long-winded... Thanks for all the help.