Does anyone have any experience with these? Anyone own one? If so, I'd love to hear your impression of them. Based on the youtube vids I've seen of them being played, I have an idea of what they sound like, but how is the construction? Are they built to last? Do they need frequent adjustments? How does the key action "feel"? How about the embouchure? And if you have one, where did you buy it? Just curious.... Thanks!
Re: Guo Flutes? 16:52 on Friday, February 17, 2012
I only tried it in a shop, so don't know if that helps.
I play a wooden flute - the Guo Executor headjoint wouldn't fit mine, but I tried one of their New Voice flutes anyway.
They feel very light; they are composite, so it's very different - feels much easier to carry. The key actions are different too. Not better nor worse than silver keys - just different. Good pressure and very fast movements on touch.
Tone is very rich and deep; not as bright as metallic flutes. I found the embouchure very pleasing. They might look strange in bright plastic colours, but they sound really good - maybe better for jazz. I must admit I wouldn't have bothered with them just on looking at them on the net, but when I demoed one I really liked it.
My wooden headjoint is cracked - if I could get one of these on my wooden flute, I would be very happy with it. It won't crack with playing.
Re: Guo Flutes? 21:35 on Friday, February 17, 2012
I have a Guo composite headjoint on my Hammig grenadilla flute. The sound, articulation, and overall ease of playing are much better with the Guo than with the Hammig's original grenadilla headjoint. It makes the entire wood flute sound more like a wood flute.
I'm not sure how that's possible, but I'm definitely not the only one who hears it when playing music by Bach, Handel, Telemann, Couperin, and other 18th-century composers.