I'm about to go to Boston in a month or so(I live in Montreal, Canada) and try some flutes, but I would like to seek your opinions on some of the different brands. I'm currently considering Brannen, Nagahara, Powell, and Haynes. Which produces the best tone, has the best mechanisms, etc.? I've heard good things about Nagahara, but there's a slight inconvenience; Nagahara doesn't ship flutes out of the U.S., and if I get it from Nagahara's representative in Canada, the waiting list is about more than a year. But I would like some opinions on which brand is the most reliable and produces the best tone. Thanks!

Me and my close friends play all 4 brands that you are considering. At this level, you really need to try these instruments yourself. You might also consider Williams and Arista.
All of these brands are played by many professionals in the world.

Although I'm partial to Brannen and love its Brögger mechanism (it is very smooth and buttery) more than the mechanism on my Haynes backup flute, I'm sure that others may feel that the other flutes are just as good or better. I do play a Williams HJ with my Brannen body.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with. Any of these brands are very fine flutes.

Indeed all excelent brands.

If you try some Brannens, don't forget to experiment the Lafin headjoint.

I don't know if you can visit Nagahara, but if so, they now have the "Galway" style headjoint that you should also try. Later this year I will receive my complete Nagahara flute (I already own the headjoint...), after a three year waiting list... :-)

I'd say also you could try Emanuel flutes as well. He's a relative to Mr.Arista and makes excelent flutes.

good luck

Zevang, so happy for you. You must tell us how you like it.

My friend waited only a few months for his Nagahara, but that was back in 2007 after he meet Mr. Nagahara at the NFA Convention.

Sadly, he was murdered because of that 14K Nagahara.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/21/MNJC1FGSBQ.DTL

Thanks cflutist, I sure will return to you all.

But (god in haven!), what a terrible thing to happen with that man (just read the news)! :-(

Sometimes it's difficult for me to believe that humanity will actually have a future...

However, we must go on playing our role. I hope this new flute of mine can inspire me and the audience to a better world...

cheers

Thanks for your replies! Yes, I look forward to trying them. However, Nagahara's waiting list seems just a bit long - 3 years?

Nagahara's waiting list seems just a bit long - 3 years?

I'm quite sure it depends on the model you choose.

My mistake!

I was recalling my early e-mails to Nagahara and the date of my order was september 1st 2010. So actually by the time my flute comes into production there will be two years of waiting list.

Though it seems to me as being more than 10 years... :-)))

I was going to mention that you might try Burkart too. They also make professional flutes.

Indeed, I completely forgot to mantion. Burkart is an excelent maker too. in 2010 I saw live Jim Walker playing his golden Burkart. Amazing... both the flute and the flutist...

..."mention"...

Zevang,

Is Nagahara making a new complete flute for you? Or are they making a body to fit your HJ?

I sent my Williams HJ to Brannen so they could make the body. That way I can use the HJ on my Brannen or my Haynes. I had three other friends do the same (one had a 14K Lafin, another had a 14K Drelinger, and the other a Williams HJ with Platinum riser).

Also, what extras (if any) did you order? I find the C# Trill to be very useful, sometimes the D# roller too (it works better than the pinky on the forehead trick). Split-E? or donut?, half-closing Thumb key? (helps the high Ab and C).

You must be so excited, I can't wait to hear about your new flute too !!!!

Wow I was listening to a video on YouTube today, where Nina Perlove was comparing 10 different flutes, all from Burkart. Their flutes sound really, really good. The main point for the video is to let viewers see if they can identify what material the flute is made of (so the video is in black and white for the most part). What struck me, however, was the fact that there was so much difference between gold, silver and platinum. I never was really convinced by all the fascination with gold, apart from its being highly appealing to the eye, of course - but after watching this, I was absolutely stunned. I really liked the 14k rose gold, as the 19.5 seemed a little buzzy for my liking. But I'll definitely consider getting a Burkart, it sounds so good!

I cannot tell if you are male or female, but another thing to consider is the weight of the instrument. My 14K Brannen is a lot heavier than my Haynes and I cannot play it for long periods of time without getting tired. When I was practicing for long periods of time everyday for a Masterclass, I was starting to develop some hand problems.

The Finisher of my flute is a friend of mine on Facebook, he's posted two Platinum flutes that he made (one with 14K Rose Gold keys), and he says it comes with a gym membership because they are so heavy :-)

Wow I was listening to a video on YouTube today, where Nina Perlove was comparing 10 different flutes,

In any case, being Nina or not a "Burkart Artist" (I really don't know), this is not the case of concluding that a Burkart flute is the best for you. You still have to try as many as are available for you. I think you already know that...

As for expected (or not) sound differences between flutes of different materials, they do not exist. The real difference reside in the design and material of the embouchure. I don't believe there is any difference even in different materials on the HJ tube.

People discuss if it's better to have an expensive flute or a cheap one. I think the best flute for you is that one you can afford without having to give or eyes away... The best the material the longer it will last. And there is no need to prove it scientifically, since we all know that materials with more resistance are more durable. The industry knows that.

So, in my opinion, you should choose the material of your new flute based on the money available and the use you will have with this flute. If you think it will be a demanding activity (like mine, playing as principal at an orchestra on a daily rehearsal and a weekly concert basis), and you have the money... go for it, order the best (and more expensive) flute you can have.

As for brands, I think you are in the right path. You will be at the best place, where you can find the best brands in practically one place (or city). Test and test them, don't be in a hurry, because they want you to find the best flute FOR YOU :-)