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Sumdude
(8 points)
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Hi. I'm looking to buy an intermediate flute, with open holes and a b foot. I'm in high school and have been playing for about 4 years. So far, I've been considering the Yamaha 381 and the Jupiter 611. I know I should try one out at a shop before purchasing it, but is there anything I should know about these brands/models first?
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Kara
(3014 points)
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The problem with these "intermediate flutes" is that they are basically the same as your average student flute but with holes and more silver content. I like to call them over glorified student flutes. The silver content and holes will not make it play any better than a student flute. Since the headjoint is the real heart of the flute and that is where you are getting most of your sound, it is more practical (IMO) to spend money on upgrading the headjoint with a handmade one. I am talking about something like a Powell, Burkart, Nagahara etc.. NOT a student line like Armstrong,Jupiter or Gemeinhardt. If you truly want to upgrade, I would not bother with an intermediate flute. Just my two cents.
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flutesrthebest
(56 points)
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Personally I like Jupiter's better than Yamaha's, but thats just my opinion. I have a Jupiter 511RBES and love it. It has a nice tone and is easy to play. You need to play both the flutes do decide which is better for you. I've also played a Gemeinhardt and they play pretty well too. (I don't know what model it is, its my cousin's old flute.) Hope I helped 
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Sumdude
(8 points)
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A little more info. I've had a standard flute made by Suzuki for use outside of school for a while, and then by a stroke of luck got a Jupiter flute like the one aforementioned. I've noticed a difference between the sound quality after switching. Notes in the higher octave feel less strained and less shrill.
But would it be possible to get a flute with a decent handmade headjoint for around $1,000?
If anyone has info, are there any bad flaws with the flutes I've mentioned so far?
And thank you both. This is helping. =)
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Micron
(1480 points)
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"are there any bad flaws with the flutes I've mentioned so far?"
Yes. As you've noticed, the Suzuki is of inferior design. (nothing to do with the metal.)
I totally agree with Kara. There is no such thing as an intermediate flute. There are student flutes, bad, good, and better brands of them. You get something better by putting a pro head on it. After that there are "pro" flutes (and some of them will play quite a bit worse than the student flute with the great head.)
So try before you buy, and don't be influenced by brand or metal or holes or even low B, unless you keep getting presented with music to perform with a low B in it. Very unlikely!
I have too limited experience with current Jupiters to comment.
But your 381 will play no better than a 200 series. Invest in a better head if you want something "intermediate".
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Kara
(3014 points)
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If you have a nice Jupiter now, you would just be spending money on holes and a B foot for something that is going to play identical. Why? The Yamaha wouldn't be an upgrade either. You can get a nice used pro headjoint for under $1000. What is your level of playing though? I have heard of stories of people going through college on a student Yamaha before as music majors.
If you want a REAL upgrade of a flute sell your kidney and get a Powell. lolol! JK!
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Sumdude
(8 points)
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Sell my... never mind, sounds expensive. 
Apparently I forgot to proof read that last post. The nice Jupiter flute is the school's (wow). I'm upgrading from that not-so-good Suzuki. (which was about the same as those 'normal' school flutes except maybe a bit shinier lol)
So it looks like there's no significant mechanical problems or design flaws, but rather it's all about preference. Good to know.
So, going according to Micron's words, should I get myself a better student flute?
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Alieannie
(841 points)
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Yes, you can get a nice student flute (Yamaha is my preference) and when you are really get a beefed up head joint. You can get a used good Yammie for somewhere in the $300 range, then when you are ready, get a NICE handmade headjoint (Powell, Burkart, Williams, Lopatin, Sheridan) for $700 range, if there's no gold or stupid stuff on it. So that would put you at around $1000 all together. You can get the flute first, get used to it, then start looking for headjoints.
Many of the flute majors at my school have a yamaha 221-481 and just stick a better head on it. It works
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Micron
(1480 points)
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Excellent advice :-)
And through all this, keep perspective... Think of the student Yamaha as you would driving a Corolla. And think about at what stage you really need to upgrade to the RAV4 or the Merc. For the vast bulk of recreational players, once the realities of higher priorities in life than flute hit them, the "Corolla" is pretty darn adequate, and the limitations are more likely to be in the player from lack of practice than in the instrument.
BTW, the silver head on the 385 could be considered like the optional leather steering wheel cover, and the holes through the keys could be considered like Mag wheels, or a soft top.
Consider that the student Yamaha (properly adjsuted) as about equivalent to the very expensive models that top professionals played only a few decades ago. Just like the Corolla out-performs most vintage cars.
There is just far too much "status" influence in what "ordinary" flute players are buying.
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Sumdude
(8 points)
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I'm not sure if I would want to try looking for used flutes. But, maybe the new headjoint isn't necessary at the present, but a good idea later on? I'm already very satisfied with the difference between my old flute and the new Jupiter (in school). I'm probably not going to major in music, too.
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Sumdude
(8 points)
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One last question (I think). Between the Pearl 665, Yamaha 381, and Jupiter 711, are any of them superior to the others? Depending on how they feel at the shop, these will probably be the flutes I'll be choosing from...
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Kara
(3014 points)
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No, one is not superior to the other. It is all about what you like and prefer. I personally would not go for one with an in line G like the 381.
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Sumdude
(8 points)
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I don't mind the in-line G. The Jupiter I use in school has the in-line G, with open holes of course, and I've pretty much gotten used to it in a few days.
So now the next step will be to actually go to the shop and try these out. Thanks for your help everyone!
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mbrowne1229
(449 points)
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what i would do:
I would buy a used yamaha 200 or equivalent (i know kara has these from time to time). you can pick these puppies up pretty cheap. I would then go shopping at flute world for a headjoint (not something really expensive, mind you).
good luck
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