Kara,

Thanks once again for an interesting and informative reply.

You mentioned the 795RBE Elegante, what`s the difference between that model and the 765RBE Quantz/Coda? The Quantz has a C# trill key and and D# roller, which are both options on the Elegante, as well as a 10K solid gold lip. They both have a silver body and plated keys. The Elegante, even without the C# and D# optional goodies, costs quite a bit more than the Quantz. Perhaps the Elegante is made better because more of it is put together by hand????

(Give your kitties some chin rubs for me!)

CatMan,
I am not too familiar with the Pearl models. Probably because I have never been a huge fan of them. Your best bet is to call the Pearl CO.
http://www.pearlflutes.com/

They will be more then happy to answer any of your questions, they are very good people there. I order crowns through them all the time so I can make my special gemstone crowns. Great people!

My kitties get kisses and chin rubs probably every 5 minutes. Lol! They are so irresistible. I am in dopamine heaven here! My twins are the biggest trouble makers of all. (Brother and sister) They peeled off some of my wallpaper yesterday. Though, I think the Rabbit started it first.

Micron, you just may be on to something there. I would really like to know the answer for sure on that one.

If I`m not mistaken, Powell`s Signature series was originally offered with rhodium plating, but there were problems with the plating, and eventually they stopped production, revamped the line, and now it`s only available in sterling silver. Also became more expensive because of it.

Yes, that was a few years ago that happenend. They haven`t had any problems since. The cost should go up for all solid silver. IMO,they still outprice anything in that range.

Micron, I think you are right about the plating. I wrote to Yamaha after noticing in their catalog that all of their 600 and 700 series silver flutes are silver plated. Here`s the reply I received from Yamaha:

"It is true that the 700 series flutes are constructed of solid silver and are also silver plated. The solid silver body, posts and keys allow for an excellent characteristic sound for the flute. The reason for the silver plated finish is that left alone, the solid silver construction would tarnish extremely quickly. With the added silver finish this is not an issue."

I wrote back to see if the plating is alloyed with Rhodium or some other metal to provide tarnish resistance. It seems to me that the plating must have a different composition than the rest of the flute or else why wouldn`t the plating tarnish just as quickly??

Kara, you mentioned in an earlier post that the Powell Signature is not plated. Does that mean it will tarnish relatively quickly?????

Interesting stuff, CatMan. Thanks for sharing. I believe Micron brought up the point in another thread that most people don`t keep their flutes long enough for the plating to wear off. Perhaps it is simply wishful thinking to assume you`re going to play the same flute forever.

From Kara`s pictures, however, her Powell doesn`t appear to have any tarnish problems at all. I`m sure maintenance and prevention are key in the battle against tarnish, regardless of plating.

I recall being particularly impressed with Nagahara flutes. While I can`t afford an entire Nagahara flute, I could probably pair one of their heads with a Powell or Yamaha body and end up with a really nice flute. I just wish my Muramatsu wasn`t a lemon.

Keep us posted on Yamaha`s replies.

"Kara, you mentioned in an earlier post that the Powell Signature is not plated. Does that mean it will tarnish relatively quickly?????"

You know, honestly when I owned a Muramatsu which is plated over the solid silver it tarnished REALLY fast, but my Powell did not.

I treated my Powell with a protective solution with R-22 tarnish preventative in it, and it has not tarnished since. I wouldn`t recommend the average person take apart and do this to their flute though, ask a repair tech to do it. I repair flutes, so that is why I was able to do this.

I know from one of your earlier posts that you favor the Signature and the Muramatsu EX as offering very good flutes for the money. How about the Muramatsu GX, how do you think that the GX would stack up against the Signature and the EX?

If anyone owns or has played one of these flutes, then I`d love to hear any comments you have!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

The GX is good too. It sounds almost identical to me when tested against the EX, but it is solid silver and costs more then the EX.

I am a huge Powell fan, so I am always going to be biast to that brand. To me, there is just no sound in the world like a Powell, it is very unique. I think still that the Signature is the best bang for the buck, but I would try it against the Muramastu and make your own judgement on that. I don`t want to stay your opinion too much, you will know when the right flute for you in your hands.

Where is the flute fair being held that you are going to and when is it? If it isn`t too far from me, I would love to go!

Kara,

I don`t remember mentioning any flute fairs, perhaps you were asking someone else?

I did, however, just get back from Flute World (fluteworld.com), and brought home with me a Muramatsu EX and a Yahama YFL-774H to try out.
The Muramatsu is really sweet!!

PS How are the kitties?

Oh yes, I see what you mean. Sorry about that. I read and reply to so many posts that I must have gotten confused.

The Muramatsu does have a very sweet dark sound, I really like it. The only qualm I had with it is it would tend to get muddled in ensembles and just didn`t project like I needed it to. It played almost too easy for me that I never felt completely in control when I played on mine. I owned a DS for about 7 months and after many headjoints later, I gave up and got the Powell.

The Powell just seemed to fit my personality better. (Not so sweet. Lol!)

How are the kitties today. One word...BAD!!! They are driving me nuts today. (Though I still love em.)
Friday is clean house day and one of there favorite days. They get to attack the duster and the mop.

I`m on the list at Flute World for a Powell Signature. They said that it could be sometime in march before they have on with offset G and Split E. I can hardly wait, I`ve got my selection narrowed down to these last few flutes!

(Kara - I hope your cats weren`t too much trouble today, I know what it`s like, LOL! If you have time, please feel free to email me and tell me about your cats, and I`ll tell you about mine)

How is your EX holding out, any more problems? I picked up an EX at Flute World today and can`t wait to start playing it. It sure is a beauty, the instrument has a beautiful finish and is flawless. Are you using the original headjoint?

Hey I like the green background now!

I purchased a yamaha 674 about a year and a half ago and I really enjoy it. I believe the diffrence with the 774 as Kara mentioned was the higher model had all silver keys. I saved money to stay with the 674. I didn`t try the 774 but shouldn`t affect the sound (silver keys). I thought I might press too hard on the keys so if anything silver keys I may bend and not worth it. It did cost me about $2200 including a discount. In hindsight I would have used flute world to try flutes which OP is next too! That`s great! It is a pretty flute but that shouldn`t be a main factor.

Yeah, Yamaha does make pretty flutes.
That is another minor thing I didn`t care for on the Muramatsu flutes, the keys are so big and kind of modern looking. I never thought they were very pretty. I know the looks of it don`t matter when playing it, but hey...I am a girl. (Grins)

CatMan, are you totally decided that you won`t a split E then?