I currently play a Yamaha 481 (silver head/body, inline g, open hole) and would like to move up to a richer sounding flute, as well as adding a C# trill key. I like the inline G and open holes and do not want a flute that requires a lot of effort to transition to. My limit is $2000 so I think a used flute will let me get the best value. Any tips on brands, models, or sellers? I did see a used Muramatsu 05127 on Fluteworld for $1995. Thank you in advance!

Muramatsu makes some very nice flutes. I play a Muramatsu myself and love it. The Muramatsu #05127 that you are looking at is an older model. Not that that is bad, but the low serial number means it does not have a modern scale and the fact that it is listed as A=400 means that you may have to work a little bit harder to play in tune with others. Most newer model flutes are tuned to A=442 and they also use a newer scale such as the Cooper scale. I don't know if you noticed, but it also has C foot rather than a B foot. Some player prefer the C foot, but most handmade flutes today come with a B foot - Not essential, but nice to have. You also mentioned that you want a C# Trill. That flute does not have it.

I looked at Fluteworld and noticed that they have another Muramatsu #23257. It is tuned to A-442 and has a B foot. It is $200 more but IMO, between those two, that would make for a better upgrade from your current Yamaha.

Since one of your desires is for a "richer" sound and given your current budget of about $2000, you might want to consider a headjoint upgrade rather than another flute. The headjoint makes more of a difference in sound than the body, so that might be a reasonable alternative. Check out the used headjoints at Fluteworld. They currently have a Williams #600 (Sterling silver with a 14K gold riser) for $1195. I use a Williams headjoint and really like it - YMMV. There are a lot of other options there too.

If you aren't sure what to do, I'd suggest getting a few items on trial to see what works best for you. For the trial, you could try one of the Muramatsu flutes and a couple of different headjoints to try on you Yamaha body. Compare and see what you like.

Excellent points. I had not even noticed the A=400 on the older Muramatsu - seems like that would be annoying. I appreciate your comments and will continue searching. I also had not considered the option of just getting a new head joint. Worth some thought. Thanks so much.

If you are set on getting a C# trill key it will be rather hard to find a flute with one for under $2000 unfortunately. The only one that comes to mind would be a Pearl. I don't know what is the going price for them right now, but perhaps you could find a used one.

I would recommend trying a Muramatsu EX if you could find a used one, but you would have to forfeit the C# trill key.

The Yamaha 574 with C# trill are probably the only other option close to your price range (besides a Pearl) that have the trill. They are about $2,200. I really reccommand a C# trill if you find a flute in your price range with it. I have it and use the trill quite often- more than I ever thought I would.

I myself have a Pearl Dolce (695) CODA and I love it. It has a C# trill and a D# roller. The Forza headjoint isn't the best for me though, so I have a Yamaha EC headjoint with it.

You also *might* have a hard time finding a flute with inline keys as that offset are more standard. Some companies you would have to special order. The flute I learned on had inline keys, but moving to my Pearl (offset) was no problem at all.

As mentioned, definitely try out some headjoints with your current body as the headjoint does make the biggest difference in the sound.

Pearl has just made their Elegante available with a C# trill and D# roller without having to purchase the Coda package. It is selling for $2,200. I would suggest calling Flute World and asking them to send one on trial for you as soon as they have one.

The only thing is that I really don't think that Pearl would play darker or richer than your current Yamaha flute. It really wouldn't be much if at all and upgrade. Sure, you would get the added C# trill key but the Yamaha is just as nice if not nicer. If you want darker I would look into a used (newer) Haynes or Muramatsu.

I have a Yamaha 881. These are the last 'body style' that Yamaha made before they came out with the 584, 684, etc.
The 481 (and my 881) are the 'type 1 body style'.
An email from Yamaha when I bought my (used) 881 told me that it is an A=442 flute. The new ;type 4 body' of the 684, etc is also A=442. The previous Yamahas (made before the 1990's, I assume) may indeed have been A=440, but I'm not positive.

I don't have trouble with A=440, in the symphony, or in our symphonic band. I've also been able to lip up to A=442 as you find on some flute CD's, to play along. But there's just not much opportunity in my neck of the woods to play with actual people tuned to A=442.