hey please comment. i recently got a solver plated flute, with a silver plated headjoint. i have the opportunnity to buy a solid silver hedjoint w gold lip plate. will this make any difference. { its not really necesarry because i love the sound i produce with my current one}..... thak you!!

the difference is audible with a good player only...

I remember a story about a really talented flute/headjoint maker who had raves about a particular headjoint from some of the big-name, top players at a clinic. The players all wanted a headjoint like this, and speculated about what it was made of...silver and platinum, or some other special mix?

The answer was melted-down saucepan.

If you get a good sound from the headjoint you have, and you like it, I would hesitate to get the gold-plated one.

First of all, there can be minor inconsistencies with the same cut/style from one headjoint to the next, and the new one might not be just exactly the same to you.

Second, the gold plating on the lipplate may be attractive now, but it will eventually (or quickly, if it is cheaply done) wear down to the silver underneath, and this is not very attractive.

Third, gold plating the lipplate alone (rather than gold on the riser in the embouchure hole) will not have an effect on the sound of the flute.

Two reasons to choose the gold plating would be a silver allergy or sensitivity, or you really love the look of the gold.

I agree with Micron, remember that any headjoint maker is in business to make money, so they will try to convince everyone how much better they will sound with their product...I know some terrible flute players that have been searching for years for the right flute...

The solid silver sometimes makes the sound a little darker, but the biggest difference is from the cut and the quality, not the material.