Hi,

Anyone got any experience with one or both of these flutes? I have them on apro, but not really happy with either. I'm looking for a professional level, but on a very tight budget.

Also have other poeple experienced noisey pads before? I haven't until the Miyazawa - is this something that happens with straubinger pads? They make a wierd sticky noise as they release from the tone holes.

One other thing, bearing in mind I told the shop I was looking for professional level, he produced a yamaha 671 with a cheapish nagahara hj. would you class this as professional? If so, why did they agree to sell my yamaha 617????

Thanks in advance,
Poeme

<Added>

Sorry, did not mean to sond bad about the Nagahara hj, I did only say 'cheaper' as it was only £1000. The one I really want to get when I have more money and a decent flute to put it on is double that, which is why I sad cheaper, and didn't explain myself - sorry!

A cheapish nagahara hj??? Nagahara does not make cheap headjoints and are highly sought after by many top notch flutists. They make wonderful headjoints!!

And yes, Straubinger pads do make more noise. When I go to have my flute re padded I will not go with them again.

Both are fine flutes and can be played professionally, so don't really look at the price. I have been playing on a Muramatsu EX for the past month even though it cost me about 10% price of my handmade flute. I prefer the cheaper one. More expensive is not always better. Just something to keep in mind

I would still pick the Muramatsu or Miyazawa over the Yamaha.
I like both Muramatsu and Miyazawa, so it would be hard for me to pick. If you are not thrilled with either one, I suggest waiting and shopping around more if you can.

I think those are both good flutes, you may want to try Altus as well, as far as Straubinger pads goes, depends who you talk to, I know the newer ones are quieter, but I never use them as the flutes I tried that had them were very clicky sounding...

i own a muramatsu ds. i LOVE IT!!!!! my sister owns a miyazawa classic (i think its the same as your type 1 but could be wrong) and she loves hers.

i dont like the yamaha flute because theyre advertised as professional models, but i think that you can get a much better instrument for much less money. example: muramastu ex. thats a great inexpensive professional grade instrument. and it even outplays instruments that are much more expensive.

if i had to choose between the two, i dont know which id pick. the miyazawa has those pesky straubingers (i hate the noise), but they have the option of different headjoints, where the muramatsu doesnt (i wish they did though!). i also like the mechanism of the muramatsu over the miyazawa.

I wish you the best of luck in your search!

Thanks for all your advice and info. I love the Nagahara headjoints, and I WILL get one when I can afford it, (over £2000), but I really don't think its worth putting it on a yamaha 614.
The thing that worried me about the GX was the sales guy lumped it into the same category as the yamaha 600 series as an advanced flute and NOT professional.
I like the GX, bt finding the tone very inflexible at the moment, I like the Miya, but hate the clicking sound! AAaarrgghh!!!
I wish I was super rich and I could do what I liked, but such a tight budget doesn't help at all!

Thanks Guys!

Thank you Alieannie, unfortunately the shop in question is one of the main flute specialists in London.
I come to a partial decision. The GX I feel is not enough - the tone is too inflexable etc. HOWEVER, the Miyazawa is not new - I think. I have just got back from my colleagues and compared the pads, she also has a type I, almost a year old. Her flute doesn'y click or stick or anything. Her pads are almost white, no dents and are clean. This flute I have is supposed to be brand new, yet the pads are discoloured, badly indented and VERY dirty! I am not impressed and will be sending both back. I like the miyazawa, but I think they are not telling the whole truth about this flute.

Thanks for your help and advice.
Poeme

try other flutes of the same model. the "inflexable" tone may be due to a cut of headjoint youre not happy with. they do vary.

I know, trust me I have tried! Even though they claim to be a specialist, and they ARE supposed to be, they still seem to only have one of each model available (if they are telling the truth). I have been there twice now, the second time they managed to produce a 1 different flute I hadn't tried, but they just don't seem to have anything in particular to offer. They have also only got 2 second flutes as well.
I think I am going to give up for a while, I can't face a 5 hour round trip to go back to London again.

Thanks Guys.

may i asked what this place is called? if they are really a specialist then they would have much more to offer you and wouldnt be bias to one brand or the other.

<Added>

perhaps the threat of taking your business elsewhere may do the job...

Hey everyone,

It looks like Poeme lives in Great Britan somewhere and he may not have access to all the great places to shop like we do.

Does anyone on this board live in London and is familar with places to buy and test flutes?

Poeme, you might want to put up a post on Galaway flute chat to see if anyone knows of any good places to play test and purchase flutes in GB. That forum is more international than this one and is absolutely huge.

You might also try posting in this flute forum too.

Just a thought.

Good luck.

That is a very good suggestion vamp, but poeme has already posted the same topic on the Galway forum.

Maybe Angie will see this thread and be able to help. I know that she just went shopping in London and had quite a selection of flutes to choose from. I can't believe the prices there though!!! They want twice as much for a flute than it would cost here in the US! James Galway also visits a flute store in London so you may want to ask him about it.

Hi Kara, unfortunately there are only 2 or 3 decent places in London to go to. I am really unimpressed with their service. I think I have come to a decision, but know have it get them to do what I want! O yeah, another 5 hour round trip to London!