ok, so im interested in upgrading my student gemeinhardt to something a little nicer, i found 2 great deals (in my opininion)

I have tried both, and i like both, but since ive never heard of the brand muramatsu, i came here.

So my choice is between:

Geminhardt 3SB
-solid silver headjoint, body, and foot
- B foot
- Inline G
- Open hole

Muramatsu EX III

- solid silver headjoint
- open hole
- B foot
- offset G

I was thinking of going with the muramatsu but since ive never heard of that brand im a little skeptical...

Which one do you think would be a better flute?

Muramatsu, hands down. It's a very well established brand, and Gemeinhardt is absolute crap in comparison. (IMHO, Gemeinhardt is absolute crap, period. But some people here object to outright statements like that...)

While you should always try out a flute before you buy it, there is no way that Gemeinhardt can even compare to the Muramatsu's mechanism, scale, durability, etc. If you had checked the forums before posting, you'd find many, many favorable references to Muramatsu.

Don't let the silver content fool you. Muramatsu flutes are hand-made and constructed much more solidly than Gemeinhardt's machine-made glorified student flutes. Construction will affect the sound more than material.

DEFINITELY Muramatsu!!! Muramatsu is a very popular brand made in Japan. They are very good! James Galway played on one for many years. Gemeinhardt is not even in the same class. May I ask why you are upgrading? I only ask because if you can't decide between a Muramatsu and a Gemeinhardt then perhaps you may be better off giving it some more time before switching.

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"(IMHO, Gemeinhardt is absolute crap, period. But some people here object to outright statements like that...)"

AGREED!!!!

I agree 100% with the previous replies.

Of course Muramatsu, best handmade brand in Japan, then Sankyo, then Altus etc....

Muramatsu is always short of stock here, they go so fast, you need to order 3-6 months in advance!

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Oh also Miyasawa, it's getting quite popular nowadays.

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Although Japanese brands are so popular with good mechanism and quality, all my teachers are using Powell. haha

Have you tried the newer Miyazawa's with the Brogger system? I would definitely class it with a Muramatsu as far as quality!
I like Altus, but there is no comparison really between the mechanism of them and say a Muramatsu or Miyazawa in my opinion. Powell came out with a new mechanism which is very similar to the Brogger. I haven't tried them. I am sure it is an improvement over their last one though. I can only hope. I got so tired of the click, click, click and the weight of the mechanism on my Powell that I gave up on it. Landell did improve it for me though. But generally, I find Boston made flutes mechanism to be clunkier or have a heavier feel to them with maybe the exception of Brannen. One thing that I don't like about Japanese brands is that they tend to run very sharp.

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Oh and Williams flutes are incredible with design and mechanism and they are in Boston. A Williams.. my dream flute!

I've seen a few posts around here complaining about the heavy Boston mechanisms. I'd have to say that it is not always the case. Burkart has a fantastically light, fluid, quick, and silent mechanism. They also came out with a micro-link mechanism fairly recently. I'm not sure how it works, but it does work beautifully!

the reason i want to upgrade is im going to be taking woodwind methods class and plan to possibly minor in flute performance.
I found two deals
the gemienhardt for $300
and the muramtsu for $500

the gem. is 2 years old
and the muramatsu is 3 months old.

im assuming i should take the maramatsu then?

A Muramatsu for $500??!! May I ask where you found this deal? I only ask because I am worried that this could be some type of scam as that price is just too good to be true. They usually sell for a little less than $2000 used.

I totally agree with DaveandKateplus14. That is an extremely excellent price for the Muramatsu. I would be cautious and ask lots of questions (and maybe even see if you could take it to a flute tech) The gemeinhardt price is probably more in line with that particular instrument.

Well its actually from my woodwind instructor, he used it once, and said he would never use it again, that it would just stay in his closet at home.

Ive actually held it in my hands, and it works amazingly...ill provide a picture in a bit.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n99/seetherhorse/DSCI0190.jpg

It is stamped,
The Muramtsu Flute
Muramtsu Flute MFG, CO.
TOKOROZOWA Japan

The headjoint is tamped with a funny looking U

and on the body inbetween the first finger C and the pad it closes is stamped very small MA

on the foot joint underneath the keys, it is stamped
EX##. I don twanna give out what may be personal info.

I think its legit.

How about Jack Moore? Our ex-principal here is an American flutist, he loved Jack Moore and his favorite student ordered a Jack Moore too. I also bought an used Jack Moore headjoint from friends:

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/pyrioni15/DSC05036.jpg

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/pyrioni15/DSC05038.jpg

It's surprised to see Boston headjoint used Japanese cutting. Plays like a Japanese sound too, sweet tone.

well. he does get paid very well. :P

and YES thats the U thats on the headjoint, does that mean it has an upgraded headjoint?

I think he just likes me as a student.

'Gemeinhardt is absolute crap'...
OK, I'll bite....a Gemeinhardt flute will probably be a better instrument than a cheap imported Chinese flute (unrepairable due to poor quality metals in manufacturing), but ONLY for an absolute beginner, for the first year or two.

A Gemeinhardt is a poor choice for an upgrade flute, because their headjoints are not engineered like the ones that pro players tend to play on. That's a very broad statement, because pro/advanced players can have extremely widely varied tastes. But you will not find a high-level player (orchestra principal, university teacher) that plays on a Gemeinhardt flute or headjoint unless they've been paid to endorse the flutes. (and even so, that Gemmie won't be their 'go to' flute, they'll just play for the promotional gigs and switch back to their Muramatsu for everything else!!) That's pretty much because the headjoints aren't engineered for flexibility, variable dynamics, and variable tone colors- which are the things you will be working on in advanced studies.
The second issue with the Gemeinhardt is the scale- in other words, where are the tone holes (the holes under the keys) located. The scale on Gemeinhardt flutes has not changed in decades. The flutes are hard to play in tune. Advanced players can manage it, but why would you take up excess brain power to play in tune if you could have a flute that played more in tune without effort, so you could concentrate on tone, articulation, beautiful interpretation? Occasionally an advanced/pro player will play an older flute with an old scale design, but this will more likely be a Haynes or Powell with an outstanding headjoint.

In short, a basic Yamaha all-silverplated flute is actually an upgrade to a solid-silver, open-hole, B-foot Gemeinhardt.

Yes, Muramatsu is an outstanding brand.
It's a bit like you've told us, I've seen Toyotas and Chevrolets and Hondas and my teacher drives a BMW. I have a choice between a basic Ford and a nice Mercedes, but I don't know anyone who drives a Mercedes. What should I choose?

And by the way, the Gemeinhardt will not serve you well enough for College.