Three questions:

1) What are the Pearl headjoint cuts and the differences between them? Flute World talks about Forte, Vivace and Vivo, but how do those relate to the PH-X scheme (where X is a number) and what are the specific cuts like? The Pearl website is not much help either as the descriptions are somewhat vague.

2) I have a Quantz 505 (sweet deal off of an auction) and IIRC the headjoint is a PH-5, which I assume is a stock student cut. It's ok, but not quite what I'd like it to be. Would I be able to get any of the hand cut headjoints or is there a size difference I need to take into consideration?

3) This is pure laziness on my part as I should just call them, but does the Nashville Pearl distributor have a flute gallery that I can play test in? I live reasonably close and having the whole line to test side by side is easier than ordering samples from my local music shop onesie-twosie.

I'd like to upgrade the headjoint on this flute, as I rather like the body. I'm not limiting myself to Pearl either, so if anybody has suggestions for a brand to look at or knows of any good used ones, I'd be thankful. I'm constraining myself to less than $1,000 for this upgrade, a better deal making me happier, of course. Unfortunately, that price limit means I can't look at most of the headjoint specialists (who tend to start at $1,200ish).

p.s. I've got a Yamaha EC headjoint on order already, since that seems to be highly recommended.

1) What are the Pearl headjoint cuts and the differences between them? Flute World talks about Forte, Vivace and Vivo, but how do those relate to the PH-X scheme (where X is a number) and what are the specific cuts like? The Pearl website is not much help either as the descriptions are somewhat vague. 2) I have a Quantz 505 (sweet deal off of an auction) and IIRC the headjoint is a PH-5, which I assume is a stock student cut. It's ok, but not quite what I'd like it to be. Would I be able to get any of the hand cut headjoints or is there a size difference I need to take into consideration? 3) This is pure laziness on my part as I should just call them, but does the Nashville Pearl distributor have a flute gallery that I can play test in? I live reasonably close and having the whole line to test side by side is easier than ordering samples from my local music shop onesie-twosie.

Nobody can describe a headjoint accurately. You have to play on it!

The pro cuts currently available are Calore, Vivace, Forte, and Vivo. These are the ones most popular in America. They are represented by different cuts and different tapers. Calore is the more like the big American Boston sound, more square shaped, and very expressive and articulate. Vivo is on the other end of the spectrum, different taper, more oval shaped, more color, tonal flexibility. The others are in between. Forte is perhaps one of the most popular amongst the European Orchestral Artists. Vivace is a bit more undercut than Forte. Taiwan flutes also have the Forza cut available for them (a Sheridan-esque styled headjoint that is the stock head on Dolce and Elegante)

The 505 is an entry level flute with a stock student headjoint, All plated.. The PH series is more popular in Japan. The old PH-7 has a huge embouchure hole and Saddle shaped Lip Plate. The PH-5 means all plated, PH-6 is silver, and PH-7 is silver with a pro cut. The N series is another popular group but sold mostly in Japan. Just about all the pearl headjoints will fit on any model Pearl. There are three prototypes also in right now. A unique cut for the lower end flutes and two variations of the PH-7

Pearl in Nashville does not have a gallery, but you can come in and try headjoints (and flutes) in the Showroom or my office, (if the showroom has activities already going on there.) You can try any of the flutes or headjoints, It's right after NFA so right now everything is back in house.

Just give me a call and arrange a time. 615-833-4477 X3500 will ring at my desk in the fluteroom.

Joe B
Pearl Flutes

Thanks! I'll probably end up making that drive, but it's long enough to require a bit of planning first.

Another quick question: What is the size of the standard headjoint for my Quantz 505, and how would I go about taking that measurement for myself so I don't have to ask in the future?

You can't measure it accurately enough yourself...Most flute makers can't measure it accurately enough to get an exact fit. It goes by tubing thickness as bore size is pretty consistent. Pearl headjoint's standard wall is .40mm That's the equivalent of .157" thickness. Any headjoint that size or smaller in tubing thickness (within reason) can be tried.

Joe B