What is the difference between a Muramatsu flute stamped with MA and one that is not?
I know MA stands for Muramatsu America, but does that mean that it is a superior instrument geared to North American standards or what?

thanks

Dominique

I was told that the others are made for the European market that are not marked with the MA.

The ones marked with "MA" have been imported to the authorized US Muramatsu distributer, Muramatsu America. Flutes that are not marked "MA" were not imported through there and may be "grey market" flutes.

Muramatsu flutes that are not not stamped "MA" will not come with a Muramatsu Certificate of Authenticity and will not be eligible for warranty work by an authorized Muramatsu dealer.

Here's what Muramatsu America's web site has to say:

"...there are some companies that do not purchase their Muramatsu inventory through the authorized channels. You can often detect an unauthorized company or agent, even when they claim to be authorized, if they tell you that you will have to wait for your flute, if they say that you do not have to worry about a factory warranty because their in-house repair staff (not trained at the Muramatsu factory) will provide service, if the flute is not stamped MA on the ribbing, or if they do not provide you with a case cover, maintenance guide, and certificate of authenticity (green card)."

My flute isn't stamped "MA" on the ribbing, and I found out that it is from somehwhere in Europe (probably eastern europe) and that it was a Muramatsu flute that was not imported through the US dealer, Muramatsu America, and that the music store had imported it themsleves or something.

It didn't comewith the case cover, the certificate of authenticity, or the MA warranty (it came with a warranty of the the music store).

i own a muramatsu. i bought it from muramatsu america (it was a demo model)

i have no "MA" stamped on my ribbing

unless im thinking that the ribbing is something else...