Hi everyone.
I'm buying a flute for Christmas, and I've been looking at a couple in particular.
Does anyone play a Pearl or Yamaha flute? If so, what are your thoughts? I've been looking at the Pearl Quantz 505, the Pearl Quantz 525, and the Yamaha 221. Does anyone own any of these, or have any opinions on them?
Alternatively, does anyone want to recommend any other models or brands?
I'm looking in around the $1000 price range, and I don't need it to be professional standard or anything, it's just for recreation really, playing in a band and practicing is about all I'm going to be playing it for.
Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
the yamahas, from my experience, are built like a tank. the pearls seem to be more delicate. HOWEVER, i am not a fan of the student yamahas. i havent actually played the 500 series pearls, ive only played the quantz coda flutes (665 and 765) and i thought they were nice flutes for the money. i do know someone who bought a pearl 525 and shes a performance major in college (a rather poor student who was playing on a ::shudders:: sky). she sounds wonderful on it, though ive never tried it. i think it would be the same as the 665 or the 765 except completely silver plated...
i know many people will probably maim me for being against a yamaha flute, but i think you may get more out of a pearl than a yamaha. the student "cy" cut on the headjoint is probably the worst cut ive ever played on. the "ec" cut isn't much better, either. i think the pearl may be the way to go. but make sure you try both out before you buy.
I'd recommend finding a good used 500 series Yahama instead. These are nice intermediate range flutes that are workhorses. If we were talking cars, these would be a Toyota or Buick - the better ones like an Avalon or similar.
Is it a Porsche or Mercedes or BMW? Nope. Then again, it'll work just as well for anyone who isn't a pro driver and just needs something to get the job done without being a basic econobox, either.
In short, they're tough, have a decent handmade headjoint, and have a decent sound.
Where to find one is another whole post, of course. I'm partial to winds101, but that's mostly because the owner is a member here and also is quite helpful. OTOH, there a a LOT of these used out there, so the chance of finding one at a local music store is also quite high.
Try to see if you can play test those flutes, thats really the only way to see which flute is best for you, although any of those are good quality so I don't think you'd waste your money either way.
And like mentioned above, a hand cut head joint really does make a big difference, so if you can find a used 500 series Yamaha definitely go for that!
I'm partial to winds101, but that's mostly because the owner is a member here and also is quite helpful.
Are you sure you are thinking of the same person? Liz is the seller of winds101 and she does not post on this site. I talk to her on a regular basis, so I am sure of this.
I am not going to get into the debate of Yamaha vrs. Pearl.
I will add that I highly recommend Jupiter flutes. I just recently tried out a few of the newer line by them and was VERY impressed! I will be carrying Jupiter along with Yamaha in my sales line now. They are much more moderately priced than the Yamaha also and play wonderfully.
Thanks everyone. I have been and tried them all, I found I preferred the Pearl 505 to the Yamaha as far as sound went, and the split E is a plus which the Yamaha doesn't have. I'm wondering whether it's worth the little extra money to go to the Pearl 525 which is the next one up, with solid silver lip plate? When I tried playing it in the store I found it difficult to produce a clean sound, or even any sound at all, but I think this may just be because it would take a bit of getting used to.
So I think I'll go with one of the Pearls, I'm just not sure which one.
Did you try the Jupiter? I hate split E's myself. Why are you limiting yourself to only Yamaha and Pearl? Why not buy a use reburnished flute? You can get a Yamaha reburnished flute for under $300 as compared to a new one which costs $800. Winds101 and Fluteragious have these in stock. There are other brands that are great, don't sell yourself short. Flute World will send a bunch of flutes out on trial to you also.
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Pearl is definitely good at selling student-intermediate flute because they do offer more gizmo's and gadgets and a LOT cheaper price then others. A word of helpful advise, just don't get caught up with extra features though. You are looking for a flute, not features :) I have nothing against Pearl flutes in general, they are just not on my top favorites.
Thanks for the advice. It wasn't really that I was limiting myself to only Yamaha or Pearl, but the music store that I went into to try some out mainly stocked these brands, and the owner said that they were the leading brands at the moment, and out of the flutes I tried those were my favourites.
I asked the store owner about Jupiters and he said he wouldn't sell me one, as in his opinion right now they're not a good brand. So yeah. I dunno.
Ask the store owner how long he has been playing flute or IF he even plays. Chances are he is trying to pawn off the only two brands he carries because he does not specialize in flutes and will tell you what you want to hear in order to make a sale. Harsh, but true. If Jupiter flutes were poor in quality, trust me, I wouldn't be selling them as I am VERY picky and I don't sell junk and Patrick (a top professional recording artist)would not be endorsing them either. All, I am saying is don't limit yourself if you can help it. You may find something that you like much better. Besides, flute shopping is always fun. Best of luck with it.
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