Hi guys! I normally respond to other`s inquiries regarding playing or solos, but I am looking into quasi-upgrading my Pearl PF-521, offset-g, Split-e, B Foot, Gizmo, Open Hole flute to either a Jupiter 771 or DiMedici. I played the DiMedici in the store the other day. I have played on my Pearl for about 9 years now. I was wondering if anyone has played these two types and knows or has heard anything about the difference or how well they play typically. I have never bought a Jupiter personally. I thought they were more on the student side. The one I played was of gorgeous tone. My only problem with my Pearl is that my E (4th Space) tends to crack with medium-hard vibrato. I am about to have the pads replaced and keep that as my back-up, but info on the Jupiters would be great! Thanks

Dennis

the Demedici flutes come with a choice of headjoint designs and cuts, plus they have pointed french style keys, see if your dealer has the different headjoints available

Hi Patrick,

Thanks so much. I tested out both at the music store. I dislike them both. Both of the Jupiter models had REALLY REALLY soft keys...they had to be adjusted 3 times while i was testing out the flutes. I, of course, did not buy either one. I will save up for a muramatsu I think...Thanks for your input though.

-Dennis

Tis a pity. Jupiter flutes are very well regarded. I would suggest you look at Jupiter flutes from an authorized Jupiter dealer by contacting Jupiter directly. I suspect the music shop you are dealing may be less than reputable.

You can call, fax, or e-mail:
http://www.jupiterflutes.com/contact.html

The Dimedici flutes were designed by Altus, they are akin to Powell`s Sonare or Miyazawa`s Lyric flutes, except for the fact that rather being the low end of a high quality maker they are the high end of an intermediate flute maker, Jupiter, and as such are seen as having a lot more care than you would find in the budget models of professional makers.

I`ve heard that jupiter flutes make great beginner flutes, but beyond that, they are not very nice..

Tell that to the professional flutists and university teachers that play on a Dimedici as either their main flute or a backup.

Simply search out Dimedici or Jupiter on the Flute list archive. http://listserv.syr.edu/archives/flute.html

Rather then rely on hearsay, read degreed flutists personal experiences with various flutes.

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Hey stephenk,
Do you have a jupiter? I`m going to try jupiter flutes at the store and the dealer said it was good. I`m not sure. I`m deciding on a yamaha, jupiter or a pearl. I have a student gemienhardt right now, and it doesnt really project that good. Is Jupiter really popular?..like the yamaha?

And Micron has a long history of belittling all brands non-Yamaha.

Micron, I believe you have already admitted to only having expertise on "student" models of the brands you criticize. If you have opinions on specific models, do state them rather than lambast an entire brand name.

And don`t bring up country of origin since Yamaha proudly states the third-world countries that makes its instruments on it corporate website.

(I have a history of belittling Yamahas, but with good reason )

Hi Schoolgirl,

Sorry for the delayed reply. I have not played a Jupiter flute, but there are many degreed flutists that do recommend them in other major long established flute forums. My input really was mainly to counteract the odd anti-"brand" sentiment I was reading.

You should try out a few brands that you are interested in that is in your price range. If you don`t compare flutes against each other you may be buying the worst professional flute ever made. Quality assurance is not guaranteed no matter how much you pay. (Though it`s said the more you pay the less the risk... in flutes I think that starts at $3000 )

And most definately share what you are paying for a certain flute. Too many people buy instruments far above their value.

For instance... a Muramatsu EX can be had for $2300 new and a Yamaha 221 for as little as $450. It really is terrible when one buys a $2800-3000 EX and a $800-1200 Yamaha 221 and find the resale value plummets. Definately shop around and check with others on whether you are getting a fair price.

I play a Jupiter DiMedici 911.

Jupiter has a long history of using very soft metal.

That sentence was a slap to every flute that Jupiter makes. Even if you were to change that statement to non-Dimedici flutes it is an extremely questionable statement which only purpose is to tarnish the brand name of Jupiter.

"And don`t bring up country of origin..." I did not do so, for good reason, as you point out. So why did you make this statement?

I bring it up because I remember you attacked a flute brand for its country of origin. It was a while ago, but I do remember having to post Yamaha corporate listing of 3rd world producers along with Yamaha`s Tawain website with their "young girls in skirts" front page ( http://www.yamahakhs.com/ ) to counter act such claims. I was pre-empting a repeat.

"...And Micron has a long history of belittling all brands non-Yamaha...." `All` brands? This an insulting lie. I have criticized aspects of Yamaha; perhaps you were not listening. I have strongly defended some aspects of Gemeinhardt.

I believe you once said that Gemeinhardt flutes were so inferior that no one would dare import them into your little island. (Even though that is entirely not true as their are music stores on your island that carry every model of Gemeinhardt and specialty European models to boot).

You cannot deny you attack Pearl in just about every thread that anyone asks an opinion of that brand regardless of model being discussed. I believe it was with Pearl specifically that you admitted to not having experience with any thing, but "student" models.

You`ve attacked Trevor James (they sell these on your island??)... You`ve even attacked Powell for sloppy plating...

Yes, you don`t attack every flute. Just every flute -$2000 flute that is not Yamaha that is what most people ask about here.

You may be well intentioned, but I find these brand smears rather disturbing.

Especially considering you do not speak about Jupiter in such away on other forums. Considering woodwind.org, saxontheweb.net, trumpetherald.com, Flutenet, Flutelist, and Galway`s forum generally have a positive opinion of all Jupiters in general, high-end or no.

(I must note that my reference to Yamaha as a 3rd world producer was originally a testament that good quality flutes can come from such places... the girls in mini skirts was just an odd sight on the Yamaha Taiwan website (refresh if you didn`t notice))

Do be aware that although the search feature of this message board is lacking the posts are still present.

If it was my intention to truly demean and insult you believe me this isn`t it. Had you simply stated that your opinion rather than accuse me of misrepresenting you then I would not have had to ellaborate.

If you wish me to spend time gathering quotes to back up my statements, the weekend is nigh and I`ll have the time to do so. Do not pretend you have not expressed any of the above sentiments.

The difference is that I think Muramatsu flutes are lovely and I may well choose such a flute, but not if they don`t go through proper quality assurance channels. I fear that the EX may not be. I wasn`t suprised at the idea that they may exhibit mechanical defects.

Muramatsu interestingly enough sells used EX`s a little higher priced than new EX`s from WWandBW.

You should`ve dug up the post where I compared my Gemeinhardt to a Muramatsu.

(I do wish the search feature would be improved upon...)

Micron,
While we are on the subject of Jupiter flutes, I have a newer Jupiter student flute that will be here next week. I will let you know what I think of it.

I am not sure if I want to purposely put a dent in it when I get it. I don`t have my vise mounted on a work bench anymore. My husband took it off because he is re modeling my work area. Who knows when he will get around to putting it back. I will try bending the keys though and let you know.

It seems to me that whenever I worked on an older Yamaha model, the keys bent fairly easy also. The newer ones seem better though.

I have only worked on one older Jupiter, and it was just okay, not great. Gemeinhardts, well.. lets just say I try to avoid at all costs.

Now keep in mind, I am not a specialist in this area, I do it on the side, so these are just my opinions on these models.