Hi everybody,

I went to the Atlanta flute fair yesterday and got to try all the other flutes on my list.
I know that quite a few of you went to the Florida flute fair.

I would like your opinions on the Haynes classic series flutes.

I loved the headjoint on the flute. I think that I liked it even better than the Altus. The key action on the Altus 1107 was better, but then again the Altus is in a different class then the Haynes classic series.

I will have to get both flutes on trial and play them side by side.

I read on the Haynes website that the classic series is made in China which made me cringe a little. It didn't feel like the Amadeus though.

I like the price of the Haynes flute. I also like the Sonore for the price.

I am an amature and I just play for myself. No audience. I don't think that I will be paying more than 5k for a flute unless I start getting paid to play.

Opinions?

IMHO, if you get a Haynes, check out a vintage Haynes from the 50's or 60's, especially with a really good headjoint, they made fewer back then and they just seem to respond very well, if you hunt around, you can find many for a very very good price...

I also agree with Ann on the Sonare flutes. They just don't hold up from what I have heard.

Now the only problem you might run into if you did think about Patricks suggestion on getting an older used Haynes is that most if not all of them will have in line G's and I am not sure if you wanted in line or offset?

I did stop at the Haynes booth and picked up a few of their flutes and did try the classic and thought it was nice. I didn't spend much time with it though because I was mainly looking for a piccolo and didn't have a whole lot of time.

Have you tried the Lyric flutes by Miyazawa? That was one flute that particularly struck out at me in that price range and I really liked it for the short amount of time I play tested one.

With the Azumi line I really think that the headjoints vary quite a bit. I did not like the few models that I tried at the convention but loved the two that I had out on trial last year from Phil. That kind of confused me a bit. It many just be that I was trying all those $8000 and up flutes and got used to them and then tried one.

I spent a while at the Brannen table and really liked the Millennium and of course some of the REALLY pricey ones!!

Really, my two favorite flutes for the not going pro but still wanting a very nice flute person would be the Muramatsu EX and the Powell Signature. The only draw back to the Powell Signature it the headjoint. It is the same headjoint that is used on the Sonare series and I never cared much more it. The body of the flute is solid as a rock though like any Powell is.
Please don't confuse Sonare flutes with Powell though as they are nothing a like! The only similarity is the Signature headjoint.

Miyazawa makes a very nice affordable flute also, but I am still iffy and undecided on the construction or durability of them. I really liked the Boston Classic model but a few other fenders at the flutes fair told me to keep my Powell and not to give it up for one. (Not that I was seriously thinking about it anyway!)
In the past Miyazawa was notorious for fast plating ware on plated flutes. Perhaps they have come to correct that though.

If you think of any other models and would like reviews, let me know and I will tell you if I have tried them or not.

I know that Suzie made a list of pros and cons of many flutes that she had tried at the flute fair. Perhaps she might share it with you sometime.

I tried all the flutes everyone has listed.

I am looking for an offset G. I can play an inline. The only flutes that I have recently played are inline. The reason I want an offset G is that I have found if I play for more than 40 minutes or so, my index finger 1 starts to go numb. The offset should help with this problem is what I was told by my instructor.

I liked the headjoint on the sonore. It sounded great to me. I tried one of the new ones that came from Germany. The store had both the new one from Germany and the older one from China. You could look at them and see a difference in construction.

I absolutely loved the key action on the Altus. If I can get one used it would be great.

I loved the sound of the Haynes that I played. The rep only had one of the Classic series flutes with him. It wasn't for sale it was the demo. If I could have that headjoint on a Altus, I would be in heaven.

I tried all the other flutes mentioned. I didn't care for them. I need something with the footjoint keys a certain way so I don't keep hitting the D# key accidentally.

The Muramatsu that I did like had a heavy wall and was too expensive.

I see haynes flutes all the time on ebay, but I don't want to buy a flute that I haven't played.

If I trialed a bunch of flutes, it would cost a fortune. I might have to wait until I get a flight up to NYC for a few days and go to flute world and try the flutes.

I can honestly say that the Sonare flutes are very good, and do hold up well over time. I know this as several of my students have them, and many of the members of the American Flute Orchestra have purchased them to use on their overseas tours. Yes, the Sonare has the same headjoint as the Powell Signature, and they should--they are made in the same factory in Boston.

As I tell my students, you have to try the flutes to see what best matches you (not someone else). What sounds great for me, doesn't mean that it will sound great with another person. Going to NYC to try out the flutes, or going to Michigan to see Flute World (well worth the trip, I must say--I make that trip every year to see what is new there) is a great idea. You might even able to take home some to try with your teacher.

Yes, the Sonare has the same headjoint as the Powell Signature, and they should--they are made in the same factory in Boston.

True, but we need to specify that the headjoint is the ONLY thing made in the Powell factory. The Sonare flute is completely different. I suppose I have a pet peeve when many people want to classify Sonare as a Powell. Not saying that anyone here has though. It is nice to finally hear a good review about Sonare. Perhaps they are getting on the ball and have changed some things. I did have a Sonare flute that I sold some time back that I really liked that was made in China but it was not the norm as it was a special order flute.I am not sure if it had more care and attention to the details of it because of this, but I thought it was nice. It was the only one I ever played that I really liked. The headjoints on them are very good for beginner/intermediate players because they are very free blowing. I suppose that is why I have often heard from advanced players that do not like them because they want and need more resistance. If that ever changed for you, that is any easy fix anyway.

Vamp, perhaps you may be able to purchase the Haynes flute that you want without the headjoint and buy the Altus headjoint separate. I know that many makers offer the choice to just buy the flute body.

I forgot to mention that I did visit the Altus booth. The flutes have a nice feel to them, but whenever I have picked us and Altus I never could get coax the sound out of them that I would like. Maybe is was the headjoint on them that just needed to be changed for me? I have tried their headjoints on other flutes though and always thought that they were nice.

It is nice to have input or know what others opinions our on flutes, but like Broque mentioned, that is where it ends because it is really what you like, want and need which I am sure you are well aware of I also second the opinion to go and visit Flute World. Another fantastic place that I have always wanted to visit is in New York City which is the Flute Center of NY. When I mentioned that I wanted to visit Phil's shop he offered to pay for some of my plane ticket and pick me up from the air port. Talk about customer service!!!

Suzie, didn't you get to visit that shop last year?

I messed up. What I ment to say was the flute center in NY.

I would love to go to flute world but I hardly get any trips to MI. I think I can count them on one hand.

I love the Haynes headjoint and the Altus body. I can get a good sound out of some of the Altus flutes, but the Haynes headjoint blew my mind. I felt like James Galway. LOL

I liked the Sonare that was made in Germany. The Bb trill key is nice and out of the way of my offending index finger. The footjoint was very workable with my messed up hands. The headjoint sounded good, but again, I am blown away with the Haynes headjoint.

I am going to Dallas tomorrow. I am going to see what Carol Nessbaum has used.