Hi, Everyone! This is my first post!

My concert flute is a Pearl PF-795RBECDGH flute and I'm wanting to see if anyone could help me found out some info on this flute. I was told when I purchased it, from Pearl through Flute Center of New York, that it was a special order flute and that I would be the only person in the states to have a flute like this.

Features include: Sterling Silver with 14K Gold cladding on body and tube, Offset-G w/ Split E, C# Trill, D# roller, B-Foot, Pointed Arms.

Apparently it was made for a client but he decided not to take it so it was just there in the Pearl factory sitting until I bought it.

I'm very curious about the origins of the flute as I can't remember all I was told about it at the time of purchase and it does seem fairly rare for an Elegante flute! Hopefully someone has greater knowledge of Pearl flutes than I haha!
The serial number is 10366.

I have a few photos of the flute on my Flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/82112713@N04/

I am also wondering just how handmade this flute is.

Thank you for your time and help!

Shawn

Joe is our resident Pearl expert as he is a Pearl Rep.
Per their website, the Elegante has silver clad keys (not solid silver keys).

This looks to be made around the time of transition from Elegante's made in Japan to the made in Taiwan production shift. Gold plating would indicate Japan. Is it a 785 or 795 Elegante? 785 would be Japan, 795 would be Taiwan.

The keywork is the old style with the touches a bit more conical shaped. These were quite popular. Not exactly unique. I've seen more than a few of them. This was the most standard configuration .

Check the barrel engraving for the model. You don't have a good picture of it in the photos. Also, what headjoint is one it? It will be listed on the back of the head below the crown..

Joe B

Thank you very much!

It does say PF-795 on the flute and the headjoint is a Forza cut. It came with the gold plating so it's strange that it looks to be a Taiwan Elegante with the 795.

I've included a couple of more pics on my Flickr page!

Here's one of the front logo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82112713@N04/7524713258/in/photostream

Here's the HJ Forza engraving:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82112713@N04/7524758860/in/photostream/

Here's the model engraving:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82112713@N04/7524760738/in/photostream

Thank you for the info!
Shawn

Probably gold plated locally here in the states. (Taiwan production did no Gold Plating) That would explain the unique comment. Yes definitely a 795 Taiwan production with the Forza head. Japan supplied flutes would have had a different headjoint.

There are a few of these around, not many with the aftermarket plating, but a few.

Joe B

Joe B, which Pearl flutes are still made in Japan (if any)?

All 4 digit flutes are from Japan (the entirety of the pro line)8800, 9800, 9801, 9700, etc.

Cantabile, Silver Maesta, Pristine Silver Maesta, and all Gold Flutes are Japan Made.

These are typically all customizable by the usual headjoint and keywork abundant options.
Quantz, Dolce/Elegante, Piccolos, Alto/Bass are Taiwan made.

Joe B

Thanks Joe, can't wait to meet you at the NFA in Vegas

I saw a few IDENTICAL flutes out of Flute Center of NY within the last 5 years. On top of that, there have been a few on ebay, both used and new. If I recall correctly it seems that the gold plating was done at the previous distributor's location (or outsourced BY them to someone else to gold plate) in Texas. I had one as well but not an Elegante, mine was a Dolce (silver head only).

As for Pearl's models, they're pretty simple to get the run-down of.

PF = Pearl Flute(s).

700-prefix = all silver tubes, 795 = silver tubes, pointed arms. Not all 700 series are the same! There's the 761/765 which is the Quantz which has NOTHING on the Elegante in terms of quality nor construction. The Elegante is MUCH better whereas the 761 (basically a 765 but with Y arms) or 765 (pointed arms) is like the evil younger sibling of the 795 Elegante that is just no comparison!

R = open hole

B = B foot (with high C facilitator)

E = Split E (and offset G)

C = C# trill key

D = D# roller

GH = ? Are you sure it's "GH" and not "YG"? "G" would be for gold plating and the H I'm not sure of. "YG" would be yellow gold plating.

All in all your model is basically a 795 Elegante Coda with Coda referring to the C# trill and D# roller. I know SOME Coda's had the 10k solid gold lip but not all of them did, if I recall correctly. They're a great flute and hopefully they didn't overcharge you for it. The mechanism is excellent and Pearl flutes are like a diamond in the rough once you find one of the really good ones! It'll last you many many years!

Thank you ALL for the responses! I truly appreciate it!

It does actual say "GH" on the Pearl box I received it in when ordered. I don't know what it means either! Haha! Maybe Gold Headjoint....? I don't know...lol!

It's funny you say that about Yellow Gold as this flute, apparently, has two different golds (Rose and Yellow) on it! The headjoint I believe is Rose and the Bodyjoint is Yellow. I was told by the Pearl people that they messed up somehow and gave the Yellow Gold plated head that came on my flute to someone else and so they had to put his Rose Gold head on my body! Haha! It that makes any sense at all?! haha! I actually got a little discount from that so it worked out!

All in all, I'm VERY pleased with the instrument! It really does have a beautiful tone and a great feel! Pearls are truly taking over the flute world, imo!

Peace and love,
Shawn