Hi folks. I'm looking at getting back into playing after not really playing at all for the past 12-13 years. I started in 5th grade and played up through sophomore year in college. I played marching and concert, some church group bits and just before I went to basic I was invited to a county symphony. All that being said, to be honest, I was (and likely still am) very clueless about actually 'playing'. I never had a tutor aside from school band instructors in band class and for a large part taught myself the majority of things, with some help from friends who'd had better instruction. I never paid much attention to 'seats' but I guess I would've been first seat for the occasional piece here and there in high school as I occasionally had the solos, etc. In college I was just part of the crowd considering I was surrounded mostly by music majors and I was majoring in computers.

My folks bought me a used Artley 17-0 around '88 (think it's an '83 from the serial number) and it's the one I've always used. Needless to say without having a direct focus on improving or trying to go professional I was one of those kids who didn't take meticulous care of it (although not terrible either). It's in need of a COA and likely an overhaul.

All that brings us up to current. I plan on getting the Artley serviced to play on for the interim and to get some proficiency back but I'm looking at upgrading to an intermediate in the relatively near future (barring unforeseen incidents). I've been reading up some, and probably learned more about flutes and components in the last day or two than I likely had any idea of the 8-10 years I was playing (most of it from here so thanks ). Sad, but better late than never I guess. I'm likely looking at something with a silver head and silver plated body, although an all silver one would be fine too. I don't care if it has an E mechanism, and leaning towards preferring it doesn't. I would like a C# trill. If it has a B foot fine but I don't see a need to pay extra for one. I've never played a flute with French holes so not sure how I'd like it, since most seem to come with 'em anyway I could just get plugs if they didn't work for me. I think I'd prefer the offset G, my Artley has it and it's been pretty comfortable. Rollers I don't have much of a stance either way, they might be nice down the line so if it has it great. Here's the list I'm looking at after reviewing threads on here and doing some looking at Flute World and the manufacturers' sites, etc:

Muramatsu EXBO
diMedici 1311RBSO
Powell Signature B
Pearl PF-795RBE Coda
Miyazawa PA-202
Yamaha YFL-574HCT
Haynes Classic Q2BOF

I was looking at under $3k for a budget, but since there's a very real possibility I may never feel the need to buy another one after this I'd probably be willing to go up to $4k or so. Without having played any of them yet I think the Muramatsu EXBO is the one I may be leaning towards. I did see a headjoint listed on their page that didn't have any clarification though. Anyone know what a Tsubasa headjoint is, and how it's different from their regular ones? After reading on here I know Kara will have reservations about the Pearl and others like the Yamahas and Muramatsus/Miyazawas, I was just hoping to get side-by-side opinions.

Nice to 'meet' you all and thanks.

Welcome to the forum! The flutes you have listed are all good instruments and the only way to find out which suits you is to trial them all and pick the one which feels and sounds best to you.

Your choice of instrument will also be determined by what you hope to achieve with your playing. If you are going to be playing for your own enjoyment as a hobby you probably won't need a need a top of the line instrument and you might get more bang for your buck by choosing a good quality intermediate instrument and using the left-over money for some lessons from a good flute teacher.

That being the case, the Yamaha 574HCT plus $1K of lessons might be a good combination for you.

If, on the other hand, you are looking to buy a really good instrument as a present to yourself and you have the cash then go for it and enjoy the process of hunting down your dream flute!

Like you I returned to playing the flute after a break of many years. I bought a Yamaha 674 (present to myself cos I had the cash!) and have found it to be a very good instrument. However, I also own a Yamaha 221 (student model, C foot, closed holes, all silver plated) which is also a very good instrument and which I enjoy playing. Being brutally honest, I think the 674 is an indulgence, and if I hadn't had the money for the 674 I think I would have been quite happy just playing the 221.

Hope these comments help and good luck with your search.

After reading on here I know Kara will have reservations about the Pearl and others like the Yamahas and Muramatsus/Miyazawas, I was just hoping to get side-by-side opinions.

I will? I am a bit baffled by that statement? I may like Powell a lot because that is what I own, but I also very much like Yamaha, Muramatsu and Miyazawas. I also like the upper end Pearl flutes, but key set up is not for me. They are all fantastic flutes. I have mentioned before that I may not prefer Yamaha or Miyazawa headjoints before and that may be where the confusion set in. I actually own a Muramatsu and love it! Keep in mind though, you can't get a C# trill on the EX model, so if you really want that, you will have to jump up to the next model.

All good flute, just try them out and see which one fits you. I don't want to sway anyone into a particular model and I am sorry if any of my posts ever came across that way.

Sorry about that Kara, I think it came across wrong. That should've read more like "After reading on here I know Kara will have reservations about the Pearl, and other people prefer the Yamahas and Muramatsus/Miyazawas...". I agree you said the high end Pearls are fine but the Intermediate ones you seem pretty clear they're definitely not a favorite (unless I'm mixing you up with someone else in which case I apologize). It was more to show that yes I've at least done a general search & read through before posting to curb the almost inevitable post saying I should search the forums first, than meant as anything negative about anyone.

Thanks for the inputs from both yourself and DWW. It'll mostly be for a hobby but if I get into it again enough I may end up seeing about joining a local orchestra or some other group as well. Plus I don't mind spending a bit more if I can be pretty sure the only costs after will be the maintenance rather than more upgrades.

Thanks for the point on the EX, the list would need some tweaking (such as the 202 likely having options).

From your list I would try first Powell, Muramatsu and Haynes, not necessarily in this order.

I have a Muramatsu flute with the Tsubasa headjoint. There is a picture of it on the Muramatsu America site: http://www.muramatsu-america.com/Accessories.html

For me, it makes the low notes project more readily. I don't have any problems getting a variety of tone colors out of it, but I have heard others say it limits the flexibility. You won't know until you try it yourself, though.

Have you considered trying Lyric flutes? I have heard good things about them and was close to buying one, but there aren't any shops locally that sell them. They are available at Carolyn Nussbaum's, however: http://www.flute4u.com/store/

Good luck!

http://www.winds101.com/professional.htm

This site has a good number of good used flutes. I'd honestly get a used and in like new condition higher end flute if you have that much money.

Also, add Sankyo to your short list, though Powell is probably among the best of those you listed.

http://www.larrykrantz.com/makers.htm
A very complete listing of makers large and small.

Ann, you make a good point and good post. I have to say that I agree completely with you on that. Even at times I feel that my Powell is over kill for me. Even though I am at the standard of playing some of the harder repertoire and can use it on professional gigs, I find myself playing around a lot on the simple student Yamaha flutes at home that I sell because the light weight, closed holes and C foot are just more comfortable for me. Of course there is nothing like my good flute, but I suppose as I get older, I just want comfort.

Thanks for the insight and advice. I do sometimes go a bit above and beyond what I may need for things, largely because I don't like the notion of having to pay more money before long. There is the view however it would be a 'waste' for a better instrument if I don't use it devotedly. I need to check with Flute World and see what their shipping cost is to out here to try out flutes as well.

I'd like to take classes but there aren't many options around here unless I drive at least an hour (which I may end up doing). There's a high school down the road, I'll see about checking with their music teacher(s) (assuming they have a music program). This current assignment is in a pretty rural area. I'm hoping my next one will be back to Colorado Springs which should have a lot more options (if I stick with the hour drive there's Denver). In the meantime I have to see what I can find. There may be an option or two in Santa Barbara.

Assuming I were to scale down on the level of flute anyone have any particular advice? I'm guessing the first suggestion is going to be the Yamaha 221? I have actually looked into the Lyrics but I couldn't find much information on 'em with the initial browsing. Same with the Azumis. I think that may be another reason I was willing to go a step or two higher, if I have more information to base a decision on I often feel more comfortable with said decision even if it ends up costing a bit more. It's not so much how much money I have but that I'm willing to put into it. That being said, what's the range I should expect for lessons for beginner to intermediate?

Nearly the same advice as I gave in another post:

Yamaha 500 series
Pearl 695 Coda
Muramatsu EX
Sankyo 301

Used, and gone over if possible - let the first owner eat the depreciation! You shouldn't have to spend more than $1500-$2000 for a flute that is capable of getting you through real life gigs as well as university level playing. Powell IS nice, but $4000 is a mite steep...

http://www.winds101.com/professional.htm
One of many sites. One of the few I'd personally buy from online, though, if we're talking used flutes. Liz is a great person(if terribly busy - heh)

Kara also sells some flutes, IIRC, from time to time. Also very good to deal with.

The Yamaha 674/84 and the 574/84 are identical other than silver alloy body versus silver plated body. Both are made to such exacting standards that I just can't hear a difference between the two no matter how hard I try. Net savings:$800 or so.

Muramatsu and a few other makers are similar - no difference other than the metal used on a couple of models.

I think you've all helped to narrow it down a bit. I agree at the stage I'm at (or not at, depending on perspective) I agree $4k is excessive. So placing the range in the $2-2.5k range should net one that won't be so high as to nearly 'insult' the instrument yet high enough so keeping with it will retain myself an instrument that will keep pace for most, if not all, practical purposes. Going off my initial list and Plekto's there are three that overlap:

Yamaha 500 series
Pearl 695 Coda
Muramatsu EX

As pointed out the Muramatsu EX doesn't have a C# trill. That is far from a primary concern so it'll still remain a consideration. The Yamaha 574HCT was one I was considering before from them so it'll remain such. I need to try the EC headjoint which seems to have both rave and discouraging reviews. The Pearl 695 CODA is essentially the same as the Elegante 795 CODA aside from metal used on the body. At the moment I'm leaning slightly towards the Pearl 695RBE (I think it is) CODA. I need to test them out but I still have time before I buy one way or another. So I'd guess the end decision, barring any playing problems/issues, will be one of the above three.

My choice would be Muramatsu EX, no doubt! :-)

alot of it is personal preferance, try them out and see what you like, like peple have said 4000 might be overkill for what you want to do, i'd go for the lower end of the spectrum. my flute teacher play on an old yamaha (equivelent to a 221) and she has amazing tone ect. and that is her only flute (apart from the spare buffet she keeps for the clumsy little kiddies) so if you want some thing more luxurious then a base model, look at the yamahas that kara has done (they are pretty) they will be ready to play and look pretty especially the crowns.
as for the artley, it may not be worth getting serviced as it will probally cost more then a new artlery or selmer (or something) so instead get a nice student flute (with a solid mechanism) then when you require the upgrades simply get a new headjoint.

good luck with finding what you want,

Thanks Leigh