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DavidTx
(3 points)
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Greetings all,
I've been trolling the boards for a few weeks now reading as much as I could about various flute models. A bit of backstory, I played flute from 6th grade through college. Just before college (1983), I bought a Yamaha 481. It has served me well for a lot of years, but I really feel like it's holding me back at this point. So I've been looking at a number of flutes, and have a Pearl Elegante 795 CODA on trial. It's a very nice flute, the action is excellent, but I find the headjoint has very little resistance. The Yam was like blowing across a milk bottle, so I had to develop a serious wind stream. I could probably learn to play the easy blowing hj, but my initial impression is that it would take a great deal of time (old habits are hard to break).
Based on input from a dear friend and professional flutist, I want a flute with a C# trill. I'd like a split E, but it's not essential. I've looked at many used flutes, but none that I've found offer the C# trill until you get into the $8-10K range. Even then, they seem rare. My price range is up to $6K.
I'd appreciate any input from you all with regards to some good choices. I've read here about the Haynes Amadeus flutes (my friend switched from her Burkart hj to a gold Haynes because of low resistance on the Burkart) and about the low-end Powell flutes. Are these good choices, particularly considering the headjoint resistance?
Also, I've been working with Fluteworld and noted that they have a Pearl Maesta flute on closeout. The model is PF-9800RBCDD. It's handmade with all of the features I want. Any input there? (Joe B, I'd especially appreciate your take on this model, as I can't find any info on it online).
Thank you in advance for all of your input!
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arabians207
(193 points)
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You should try out the newer Yamaha's. On the 500 (start of their professional line) and up series they all now include C# trill standard.
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mbrowne1229
(439 points)
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the miyazawas offer the C# trill and split e, even on the cheaper models.
i am not a fan of the yamaha flutes and probably never will be.
i also know that muramatsu offers a C# trill, but i dont know the details of which.
good luck!
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Kara
(2896 points)
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Muramatsu flutes only come with the C# trill key on the GX and up series. If you do find someone that offers an EX with a C# trill key, please tell me because I would buy it. I love the EX that I have!
If you want the C# trill key then I would try out the Miyazawa. They tend to have plating issues though, so I am not sure if that would be a problem down the line or not. It is too bad Muramatsu does not offer a C# trill key on the EX 
Yamaha is pretty good too, but I prefer Miyazawa over them.
If you can, have Flute World send some flute out to you on trial and test them for yourself to see what works best for you.
<Added>
I have sold a Haynes Amadeus before that had the C# trill key. I got to play test it for a while before I sold it and it was a very nice flute. The mechanism was very smooth and light. Of course they are no where near the Haynes flutes being made in Boston, but still nice. The only thing I say negative about it is that I found it to play kind of stuffy but it was on the dark sounding side. Try one if you can.
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Plekto
(259 points)
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I'd also check out winds101. There are a lot of used like new condition flutes to be had for well under $6000.
Why spend any more than you have to?
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Alieannie
(781 points)
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I definately vote for the donut versus the split e mechanism. C# trill is quite handy.
You can also try used and can sometimes get a great buy that way.
For example, I got my powell conservatory (b foot, solid silver, c#trill, donut, etc) used for $5k, new with the headjoint it was $8200 or something ridiculous like that. It was less than 2 years old.
<Added>
$8680, my bad. Quite a savings.
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Kara
(2896 points)
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Liz does have a very nice selection of flutes. Do keep in mind though that sometimes you can get a brand new flute for only $200 for what she has listed.
I am sorry, I didn't catch in the original post that he could spend 6K. If I had 6K to spend on a nice flute, I would look further then the Yamaha, Pearl or Amadeus personally. Don't get me wrong, they are fine flutes but I prefer some of the other top dogs over them.
New flutes under 6K with a C# for what I found in a quick search would be...
Muramatsu GX
Sankyo CF-301
Tom Green
Yamaha
Pearl
Miyazawa
I have never tried a Tom Green flute, so I can't comment on that one. If I were to choose from that list, I would go for either the Muramatsu or Miyazawa. My first choice is always Powell, but their prices are too high when you get into their models with the C# trill key.
I have to say that I LOVE my C# trill key and it is the best feature on my flute. That is a very good choice. I also agree with the others, I prefer a G donut over a split E. I despise split E mechanisms!!!!
I am probably a bad person to ask as I seem to have very expensive impractical taste in flutes. lol!!!
I hope this has helped. Oh and welcome to the forum! Keep the questions coming on flute brands and models, I like many other fine members of this forum have done years of research and tried out a lot of flutes and am always happy to share my thoughts.
<Added>
"Liz does have a very nice selection of flutes. Do keep in mind though that sometimes you can get a brand new flute for only $200 for what she has listed."
Sorry, I meant to say that you can get a brand new flute for only $200 MORE for waht she has listed.
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DavidTx
(3 points)
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LOL, Kara you're too much. 
Thank you all for your input. It's all very valuable and I appreciate your time.
I way lying in bed last night thinking about this, and something that might be a sound alternative popped into my head. The Pearl has a good body with a good mechanism and keywork, plus all of the features that I want. Assuming the tenon is not grossly non-standard, would it make sense to look at a Haynes, Powell, or perhaps Goosman handmade headjoint? I priced a Haynes silver handmade with a 14K riser and lip plate for under $2K, which would make my out-of-pocket about $4500. Thoughts?
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arabians207
(193 points)
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I'd definitely consider that!
Although my price range was well below yours ($2000 was max), I did basically just that,and its been an awesome flute for me.
I really wanted a C# trill and D# roller (although I like the roller on Miyazawas more than Pearl) but the flute I sounded best on was the Yamaha 574. (I tried lots of flutes.. I still sounded best on the Yam even compared to a Miyazawa 402 with my choice of cut..and we really could not spend $4000 on a flute)
I ended up buying a Pearl Dolce CODA and then bought a Yamaha EC headjoint for it. I love it Total it cost us about $2600
Buying the Pearl plus a nice headjoint is definitely an option!
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DavidTx
(3 points)
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Hello again, everyone. I've spent a few weeks getting my Yam overhauled (I think it sounds better than it did when I bought it). In the mean time, I've been playing with a couple of Haynes Classic Q2's, which I *really* like. I've also tried three Powell headjoints (two Aurumite and one silver) on my Yamaha. Frankly, it still sounds like a 25 y/o flute, even with the Powells. I really dislike the Aurumite; it has this odd overtone that sounds like there's a bee inside the hj.
My only dislike about the Haynes is that they don't offer it with a D# roller. In playing other flutes, I noted that this was something that really helped out my cranky old pinky. So I'm back to wondering if the Pearl 795 CODA plus a handmade HJ would wind up as a better flute than the Haynes. The lack of a D# roller isn't a deal-breaker, but it was a selling point.
I'm also curious if it's possible to "retrofit" a foot joint with a D# roller by replacing the D# key? Alternately, I could buy a new footjoint, but Diane at Fluteworld indicated that one would be expensive and/or difficult to find.
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vampav8trix
(241 points)
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Hi,
If you decide to get the Haynes Q2, let me know how much you still like it in about 6 months to 1 year. I am thinking about getting one of those. I love the headjoint and the key action is better than my Yamaha.
The only other flutes that I like are the Altus and the Heavy wall Muramatsu. I can't afford a Heavy wall Muramatsu even used. *sigh*
I am also considering a German made Sonare. But I like the Haynes for the price and the sound.
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Alieannie
(781 points)
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Hahaha! I had a powell aurumite boston style headjoint and I thought the same thing! I thought it was just me... I sold it and got a .998 silver Burkart.
<Added>
Oh anyway.... about the d# roller, I'm sure you could get it done, but would probably be really expensive.
This sounds really gross, especially to the girls I'm sure, but I wipe my pinkie in the crease of my nose (between the outer edge of my nostril and my cheek) and use the natural oil on my face. Cheap D# roller. Sounds gross but works like a charm!
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mbrowne1229
(439 points)
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vampav8trix: whats your price range? because i may know of a flute for you. :-)
have you tried the dean yang as well? i really like their flutes. they sound great and feel nice as well. i just dont like the thumb key because it has that "hump" nd i like the flatness of my muramatsu.
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