Hi!
I need to buy an alto straigh head flute, that's for jazz playing purpose. Budget less than $2000 (I'll use it occasionaly, being mainly on the soprano). No experience on alto flute.
I aimed a jupiter di medici 1217ES but they just stopped producing this instrument, it seems. My dealer (travelling guy, will visit me at home and bring me some models) says he don't know when they will lauch the replacement model (but they will, sometimes in 2012). And I can't find a used one in my country (France)
Now I don't know what to do... I'd like to get one right now (eager).
My dealer suggests a Pearl 206ES silver head. Also available at thomann for around 1500. It's not much for a silver head! Has someone any experience about this one? (I red some not-so-positive feedbacks about the pearl 201ES, the cheapest alto on the market)
He also has a second hand Monnig, pretty cheap... I found one to try in a store, but I couldn't reach above the 3rd G. Is that me? is that the flute? But bass register sounded nice.
Too many questions in one post! Sorry... help!
Thanks!

Dr. Chris Potter's recommended altos from the recent flute convention:

http://altoflute.net/html/articles.html

Thanks. Potter's site is not very explicit about altos, more about bass flutes. Seems to be very few people knowing well about altos anywhere. Jupiter stopped Di medici altos production for the moment. So at my dealer's I'll have to choose between pearl 201, pearl 206 (silver) and monnig (old stock because discontinued), all 3 of them between 1000 and 1500 euros. I'll try them anyway...

This is a good place to consult and try instruments. I bought my Nagahara HJ there and London is not too far from France...:
http://www.allflutesplus.co.uk/shop/home.php?cat=450

Thanks Jose Luis for this address, this seems to be a good place really. If I don't feel happy with those 3 models (pearl and monnig) my seller brings to me, I'll advise... but I don't worry too much, whatever brand of alto I'll try, I'll get this very special mellow sound of the alto flute, anyway. And for jazz playing those subtle differences between brands are maybe a bit less important, to my sense (but I could change my mind about this one day!)

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And thinking about a trip to London, yes but... gas, ferryboats, restaurants, hotel, time; I would say it'll be worthwhile for my next whole-silver flute - if any! It's true that music instruments are much cheaper in England than in France. My 2 yamahas (first was stolen) and my miyazawa all come from UK. Unfortunately I don't plan to go there by now.

I did my trip from Madrid and stayed overnight mainly because I wanted to see a theater show there. If well planned, this could be done go and return in the same day, though it can be too stressing. With low cost companies, even if you stay for one night (always nice), it should cost you about 200 Eu.
Check Edreams if you ever decide to go. (for example Ch. de Gaulle - Lutton and return = 90 Eu) and also booking.com for cheap hotels.

I don't know if there is still time, but have you considered the DiZhao alto flute?
My colleague has one and is very happy with it (now he also has a bass from the same brand). It comes with both straight and curved headjoints.

Now it's done, I've to finish my story for this thread to be properly closed.
Thanks zevang, jose-luis, didn't follow your advices - just waited for my seller and check the 3 flutes he had for me... And one of them was THE one!! I tried the monnig... easy to play but poor sound - just as cheap as the price was; the pearl 201, I just couldn't get anything decent of it (but my seller could allright, so it's not a general rule), either in low, medium or 3rd register, kind of airy (or would you say windy?) sound, if any.
And the pearl 206 silverhead... Gorgeous mellow deep sound! So, as you guess, I just grabbed it up and now that's one of my musical daily companions. Playing it jazzy along with m.davis or a.jamal CDs, I just love those so special "metal-bamboo" sonorities, something in between sax, panpipe and clarinet... Next step will be to try altogether with a pianist friend of mine. BTW I've a little pb on tuning, I'll check on the net and open a new post if I can't find howto, you'll help me once again. Cheers

Congratulations!. The most important thing is that you feel so happy with your choice.