This is my first post in the forum and I seek your opinions on specific Japanese flutes.
What would you prefer between Altus 1707, Miyazawa Type II Muramatsu SR and Mateki 06?
I know that I should play each one and I am planning to do that. However, it would be great if you can share some impressions if you have experience with these instruments.
Of the models you listed, I only have played the Altus. I thought it was an excellent flute and I have nothing bad to say about it. I have a Muramatsu GX that I think is a supurb flute, but I don't know how it compares to the Muramatsu SR you referred to. In general, Muramatsu flutes certainly have a good reputation. (Of course, I'll admit to possibly being just a wee bit prejudiced!
<<Altus 1707, Miyazawa Type II Muramatsu SR and Mateki 06?
It's such a subjective thing... some flutes people love and sound great on, while a different player may hate the same flute and sound not great on it. Patrick's suggestion is excellent, and may yield interesting results.
I've never played a mateki so I can't vouch for those. I have not owned any of the above flutes but have played and trialed them, though not necessarliy those models. I've trialed altus azumi and really liked it. It seemed like a great buy for what it is in that price range. Miyas seem to have a sweet bright tone, but maybe a little thin, feels ok in the hands.But again, some people sound fantastic on them. Helen McGarr, for example is a performing artist for them.
Out of your selections, I like muramatsu the best. It feels good in the hands, is really solid and feels like it's a stable mechanism. I've trialed muramatsus from $2500 to $8500 and they were consistently of the same quality. To me, one of the only drawbacks are their headjoints, but you can always sell it and get another one.
I've heard other people say the same, that they don't prefer them. I feel they don't have a lot of projection and the tone isn't as clear as it could be. The lower register can be weak and the upper register airy. I've taken different headjoint and put them on the same flutes, and they sounded much better. So I can only conclude that for me, their headjoints just don't mesh. I can get a much better tone and more projection out of other brands. But as far as the flute body goes, you can't go wrong.
theyre nice headjoints, but the cut is pretty standard and there isnt much variety (ex: miyazawa). it would be nice to see muramatsu offer a different cut of headjoint, especially a more modern cut. the tone that muramatsus are associated with are the old-school sounds. which is nice, dont get me wrong, but when you need to play a crisp, breezy passage in the low register (i had problems with a muddy low register with mine), i think that a head with a more square cut would be a more optimal choice.
mechanically, i think the muramatsu is one of the most sound flutes out there.
perhaps we can petition to muramatsu in japan to make them come up with another type of headjoint. it would be nice to have options.
Muramatsu does have another model headjoint known as the Tsubasa head joint. It has "wings" that help to focus the sound and make the low and high register easier to play.
Looks like a gimmick as good headjoints can be found that don't have it.
Muramatsu are very nice bodies. A lot of people have eventually gone the custom headjoint route anyways, so the main focus at the upper end should be on the body, IMO - it's unlikely that you'll keep the stock headjoint forever.
i mean a completely different cut. i dont like that headjoint, but i dont like wings. i like how miyazawa has many different cuts and i think muramatsu should also adapt that idea. or at least one other.
i play out of the side of my mouth. it has an effect on my tone and its not necessarily a good one.
a question regarding the original topic: is there any particular reson why you are searching for a flute with soldered tone holes or is that just a coincidence?
searching...
