I just recently bought an Iwao flute. I don't have it yet, but I wanted to try and get information about it. The most I could find out about this brand was that it is made in Japan by a former forman of Muramatsu. The seller said it plays very much like a Yamaha. Has anyone ever tried one of these? Joe B, I would be particularly interested in what you have to say on them as I highly value your repair skills. Have you ever repaired one of these? Thanks.

Sorry Kara,

Never had one (Iwao) come across my bench. Plenty of muramatsus though. Hopefully this former foreman improved on the lousy setup of many muramatsus. But from Gordon's review, it sounds like he added a few more!

Joe B

Thanks Joe. I did find a web page on them and they are made in Japan, so I hope that is at least a good sign.
http://www.iwaoflute.com/e-top.html

I have spoken to Angie who lives in the UK and apperently they are somewhat more popular and well know there with a very good reputation. Some like them better then Yamahas which we all know are very popular so that is another good sign. I should receive it tomorrow and I will let you know what I think of it Joe.

the flute shop "just flutes" here in the uk, promoted them during the late 1990's although they were only selling the solid silver head with silver plated body, and at the time they were retailing more expensively than the equivalent yamaha. I don't think the shop would stake it's reputation in selling any old rubbish, so fingers crossed kara .....

Thanks Ange. They sound like very nice flutes and I can't wait to try it out. I did ask around from some of my other very competent and trustworthy tech friends and one has worked on two of them in the past year and she said the quality on them was very good and ranked them higher then Yamaha. She also said that they had a very nice headjoint cut.

Will look forward to your report Kara.

Too bad the info on the website is so....limited....

There seems to be a TON of new flutes out there. Seems like everyone and their brother is getting into the flute market.

From what I've seen, (even a lot of the pro models) are pretty raw. I beginiing to think that final setup/padding is taking a huge hit because it is more labor intensive.

When I look at new flute models these days, that is usually what I look for. Did the maker really understand how all these particular variables are supposed to work? Sometimes I scratch my head wondering if they are even aware of what it takes.

All these flutes pretty much will play quite nicely, but what a load of work when the key cup designs and setups are WAY out in left field...

Makes you want to beat your head against the wall..

Joe B

It's great that tooling and tolerances have come a long way since then but the old computer adage GIGO (Garbage in, garbage out) still applies. If you don't tell the machine to produce something a particular way...it won't.

Well, I guess techs will always have work to do even as tooling and machining gets better...

Joe B

I say go with Simba...

You look like Simba

Joe B

Joe, I received the flute today. It is AMAZING!!! I love it! I am no expert, but it it the best student flute by as far as built, that is for sure. The mechanism plays like a top of the line Muramatsu and is built like a professional flute. The headjoint looks to be solid silver, but I am not sure as it is not marked. I am extremely impressed and happy. I can't wait to go give it a throughly COA and then see how it plays. I don't think I will be selling this one, at least not yet. My husband just asked me "what are you going to do with three flute?" Play them all of course! lol!

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Petric, I am still saving up for a Simba.

So what is this student flute's selling price?

Joe B

I have the IF-301 model.

This is the only thing I found as far as price goes is the one with the split E. I had to translate it.

http://www.nice-international.jp/IwaoFlute.html
洋銀製　リッププレート＆ライザー銀製　 カバードキー 銀メッキ仕上げ　Ｅメカニズム

(Translation) German silver make lip plate & riser silver make covered key silver plating finished E mechanism

\97,000 = $830.20 USD

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Another link I found is:
http://www.donmack.com/SearchResult.asp?Cat=%25&Man=Iwao&New=New

I am guessing the one I have is the first model listed since it is closed hole.

that's great news kara, i'm glad your pleased with it xx

I just got done doing a COA on it and I can't put it down! I wouldn't have bought my Miyazawa as a backup if I would have come across this flute first. It is awesome! It is so well built and the mechanism is a dream. No play or side to side motion anywhere.

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I might post the before and after pictures of it when I get a chance on here, if anyone is interested.

I always appreciate seeing pictures...

Joe B