I'm thinking of trying out a used Boston Legacy flute (not the piccolo, I already have that) that I found online. I'm looking to purchase a handmade flute sometime soon, and this seems to be in my price range (less than $3000). I really want one with a C# trill since my current flute (Pearl 765 CODA) has one.
A few questions:
1. Has anyone tried these flutes, and if so, was the experience positive or negative for you personally? (i.e., Tell me if it's not even worth trying.)
2. Does anyone know the difference between the "Traditional" and "Boston" style headjoints? I wasn't able to find this in my searching.
3. Is the position of the C# trill key on these flutes to the left or right of the Bb shake? (I'm hoping it is to the left, since that is where it is on my Pearl.)
4. Are there other handmade flutes with a C# trill key in this price range (less than $3000) that you would recommend I try?
They are nothing special, they play like the regular Emersons to me. I know that Lyric (a devision of Miyazawa) makes flutes for less then $3000 that you can get with the C# trill key. I have not tried one though so I can not comment on that one. There is also the Haynes Classic Q1 that can be ordered with a C# trill for under $3000. I have heard good things about these flutes so far. Then there is the Haynes Amedeus line which I think are great. If I think of anymore, I will let you know.
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"Is the position of the C# trill key on these flutes to the left or right of the Bb shake? (I'm hoping it is to the left, since that is where it is on my Pearl."
They are also to the left like all the ones I have seen are except for the Tom Green flutes.
I have my doubts about the Emerson being handmade but..
I think the Emerson would be a step in the wrong direction. The flutes, I mentioned were at least an upgrade to the Pearl that you are playing IMHO.
Unless you can find a used one then there is nothing that I know of "handmade" under $3000.00. $5000.00 would be even streching it. The closest you might get to a handmade flute with a C# trill key would be a Miyazawa 202 which would cost $3495.00 with the options you would like.
I have found a used Pearl 885 selling for less than $5000. It has an inline G with split E mechanism, which makes me worried. Also, it is completely 14K gold plated, which I'm afraid will wear off or make any future dents difficult to remove.
What do you think? Should I try that one instead/too?
Thanks for reminding me. Yes, this one has a C# trill key, too, but it is located next to the D trill key (tr1) instead of near the Bb shake. That's another thing I'm not sure I will like.
I'm beginning to think with all these concerns, I might better just wait until something better comes along.
If you are going to spend that much, why not try some other flutes as well, Altus? Prima Sankyo? are just a few that come to mind, not to mention, there are some vintage Haynes out there that are selling for a song and a dance, they are amazing once you put a better headjoint on them...
Oh I see. I didn't know that Pearl made some with the C# trill key there. I wouldn't like that either. I have seen that flute, it is really pretty and I am sure the plating was done at the factory as I have seen other Pearl flutes the same way. I love the rose gold. You could always try it and who knows.. maybe you would like where the C# trill is better after a good play test. I have tried some handmade Pearls that I thought were very nice. I still didn't like them nearly as much as some other brands though in that price range. It is just too bad that the upper name brand flutes don't offer the C# trill on their most inexpensive flutes. As far as I know, Miyazawa is the only (at leas semi handmade?) flutes that offer this on the 202.
There's no harm in trying the Boston Legacy to see if you like it. I was told they were semi-handmade like a lot of Japanese flutes, meaning they don't have soldered tone holes but the rest is handmade. I also heard it has solid silver keys and the Bennett scale. I've never tried one though.
Actually, I found a used handmade Pearl 885 selling for $3200. This one is not gold plated (which is a good thing for me), but otherwise it is identical to the one at Flute World. Plus, it's a local seller! (though I found it online.)
If I like the flute, then I have to decide how to finance it. I had planned on using my credit card, but this is an individual seller who probably wants cash or a money order.
I would also urge you to VERY SERIOUSLY consider the new handmade flutes by Emerson DeFord. He has very recently come out of retirement and is once more building flutes by hand for extremely reasonable prices.
I just bought one, and it. Is. Fabulous. I am constantly astonished at what I can do with it, and have to frequently remind myself how little I paid for it. It has a C# trill key and a D# roller, and it plays with tremendous color and response, and it is nearly as wonderful as my gold Sankyo. It's become my favorite flute for using on my Bway and off-Bway pit gigs...it projects like CRAZY, and it wasn't so expensive that I'm paranoid about it being on a stand in a cramped orchestra pit.
Just my $.02 Try whatever you can get your hands on! (And if you find a decent used handmade flute in your price range, all the better!)
Where would one find the new Emerson DeFord handmade flutes? I tried looking at Flute World and a few other places online, but they don't have it. Are these only available through brick-and-mortar dealers?
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Try whatever you can get your hands on! (And if you find a decent used handmade flute in your price range, all the better!)