I am in a deep dilema. I wanted to get new flute (Azmui 2000) not to long ago but after doing my research I thought about a new head joint and a Powell Signature and the Boston cut. WHat should buy.

You need to try the different options and see what suits your needs. A headjoint is a good upgrade if you're happy with the flute body you'll put it on (the scale is okay and the mechanism feels good), but if the limits of the mech are starting to show, you'd probably be better off with a new (whole) flute. Sit down and figure out what exactly about your current setup it is that makes you want a new flute. If it's response, tone, variety of color, dynamic possibilities, etc., you'd probably be fine with just a headjoint upgrade. If it involves a boxy mech, or one that routinely has issues, a scale that you have difficulty coping with, etc., you might be better off going for the whole flute. In any case, you need to be sure that you playtest potential purchases, which hopefully will mean many different flutes from many different comapnies within your price range. What led you to the Azumi vs. the Powell head impasse? Is it playing experience with these setups, or just information you've gotten off the web or from other flutists? You must decide which setup works the best for you (strengthening areas in which you're weak without sacrificing the good qualities of your old flute).

I personally like the Powell Philharmonic and Soloist cut more then the Signature or Boston. I don't like the Signature cut at all. If you are considering on just upgrading with a new headjoint then you really should try many different brands and not just Powell. While I play on a Powell flute and the headjoints by them are wonderful they don't suite me and may not you either. I find them to take more air to play.

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IMO, The Altus head on the Azumi is excellent. I really like the Azumi, but I just got done talking to another tech that said some of them being made have been having intonation issues. She is a dealer of Trevor James and really likes them a lot, though I have never tried one so I can't comment myself.

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Wait a sec... I did try a Trevor James. I just remembered. It was only for about a minute though, so that is most likely why I forgot. I do remeber now that I just thought they were just okay.

Hey!

I'm not acquainted with woth both marks, but I know the head joint is one of the most important parts of the flute. It's very determined for the sort of sound. A new head joint can improve your 'old' flute a lot! but not every headjoint 'fits' in a flute.

I first bought a headjoint, and later I looked for a flute. and I have found a perfect combination (a Fisher headjoint (Bremen, Germany) on a altus flute)

Rachel

And what type of flute do you want to put this on Afroburst?

Having a nice headjoint on a body with bad scaling or horrible keywork will not make playing any more enjoyable. You might sound nicer, but it might still not feel nice to play. Do you have a good flute body?

Joe B