I've been checking out the Gemeinhardt website and recently discovered that they started making a new line of flutes called Brio!. I've heard some reviews about the fuzziness of a Gemeinhardt's tone (from some musicians), but does the Brio! also have the "fuzzy" tone? Or is it one's embouchure (sp?)?

(I play a Gemeinhardt, but I'm not really looking into buying a Brio!. It was just for curiousity's sake.)

The Brios are excellent flutes. Much better than Gemeinhardt's previous offerings, IMHO. In fact, I was rather shocked by them when I first tested one. They do not have the "fuzzy" sound, but then I've never really experienced that from the Gemmies either, assuming they were in proper repair.

Well they do have a different headjoint on them designed by Sheridan, so that will make quite a difference there. The fuzzier sound that you may here on Gemeinhardts is mostly to do with the headjoint. I have put a better different head on a Gemeinhardt before and it was much better. I personally think that Gemeinhardts have a nice warm sound to them, but they don't project that much.

Another flute tech that I recently talked to told me that her sister works at Gemeinhardt and did say this flute was very nice. She did say they were being made in China. No sure if that is true or not. I played the Haynes Amadeus flute and was very suprised to find out that that one was too made in China. They must be getting better at making some flutes over there now.

Yup...The Brio's body is made in Beijing, just like many of the recent additions to the flute world. Just like the Amadeus, Sonare, and Azumi, the headjoint is the main selling point, and though they are not actually cut by Sheridan, they are very good heads.

I'll try one out to see if there any different.

Yes, they are designed by Sheridan.

Yes, they are designed by Sheridan, but not actually cut by him. That's a pretty imprtant difference. Either way, they're good heads.

Yes, that is what I was getting at.

The Brio's body is made in Beijing, just like many of the recent additions to the flute world. Just like the Amadeus, Sonare, and Azumi,

Sonare is Bejing. Brio and Azumi are Taiwan based. Brio is made by Angel (in Taiwan) and Azumi (although I'm not definately sure) is pretty much a Taiwanese Jupiter body. Amadeus (Haynes) is now part of Eastman Strings and has China connections. Their Chinese production is better than Sonare (IMO)..

Tried each of these. My rating would go from my personal preference Azumi, Brio, Amadeus, Sonare.

I don't like the Sonare at all. The Amadeus has an un-inspiring Haynes head (rotten taper). The Brio and Azumi have a huge price difference which gives Azumi the lead...

Joe B

Sorry for that mistake....You're almost certainly right about Taiwan, Joe. I also have to say that I agree completely with your rankings there...I would have put them in the same order.

Joe-
I do not like the Sonare either, at least not for me.

Same here Kippsix.