I have scanned this forum and others to find out what flute to buy.

I am a guitar player, but played flute at intermediate level (some classical, but mainly rock and folk) 15-30 years ago. I actually still have my old Armstrong entry level flute, but it is no good anymore.

Having scanned the forums it looks like the Azumi 3000 would be a suitable choice. I have only read one not so good review. In this it was stated that the higher registers were a little harder to play whereas the lower were easy. Is that right? (Kara should know, I guess). Above all I want something easy to play.

It wouldn't be a greater problem investing in a flute about twice the price of the Azumi 3000. But only if it were easier to play. Since I am not going to play the flute a lot it could be a waste of money even though I can afford it.

It is not possible to try any flutes around here, except maybe for Yamaha, so I will have to buy one like a mail order bride.

If you are serious about your playing, as most people on here will probably advise, you really do need to try them out. There are so many good makes available, you should buy a flute with a blinkered attitude, there may be another model that is 10 times better for you than the Azumi. You may prefer a good second hand Haynes, I personal have a Yamaha, not out of choice, like you it was the only decent professional flute I had access to at the time, and I ahve always regretted it. I am not stuck with it due to lack of money, but that's another story.
Do you have any decent music shops local to you? Some times they can get instruments in on approval from suppliers to try. Take the time to talk to players, and where ever possible, try their flute if they let you.

Good luck in your search.

tom, I highly suggest you give Flute World a call and have them send you out some flutes on trial. They have the most selection and best prices. You get a 10 day trial with them also, so you have plenty of time to choose one. My top favorite flutes that are under $3000 are Azumi and Muramatsu EX. There are so many wonderful new models on the flute market available though that I haven't had a chance to try yet. I have heard that the Avanti flutes are very nice also.

Thanks Kara, but I am in Europe. So I cannot have Fluteworld send me flutes across customs borders with no refundable customs, delays etc.

I may be trying out an Azumi in about two weeks in another part of my country. The problem is that the guy charges 20% more than if I get one mailed from Germany, and I feel that testing his flutes and then ordering from elsewhere is not my way of conduct.

How about producing notes in the higher registers with the Azumi. Is it true that this is a little more difficult? What is your opinion?

Also is there a lot of difference from one Azumi to the other in case I choose to get one from Germany.

But there are plenty of music shops in Europe! of course, I do not know which country you are from BUT unless you are from Eastern Europe (like me) finding a music shop should be a piece of cake. Anyway, good luck with your new flute!

Hi Tom, please let me know what you think of the Azumi when you try it out ........ i am searching at the moment for a good second flute and was sort of fixed on Powell signature and muramatsu EX, but i have heard really good reviews on Azumi too, and might have to think about adding it to ma list !! lolol

angie x

tom, I have to say that the headjoints do tend to vary on the Azumi flutes, just like any flute headjoint, so one may play better than another for you. In my case I played one that spoke very easily through out all the registers including the top without any problems. No I did however try another one out that did not have a very good headjoint and it was harder to play. The flute may have also not been set up properly also. So, if you can test at least two of the same Azumi models side by side, that would be your best bet.

Ange, while I love the Azumi flutes, the Powell Signature and Muramatsu EX are in a whole other ball park. Speaking of Muramatsu. They charged me $25 today for a small bottle of key oil! That is crazy!!!

Liz called me today and I did get to speak to her about the flute you were interested in. Email me when you have time to talk and will update you.

I have found a guy here in Denmark who sells a variety of flutes. Looks like an American, since his site is a crazy mixture of Danish/English often in the same sentence:

http://www.woodwind.dk/flute1.htm

It's about 2 hours drive from where I live, and I am going there 16th January to do some medical teaching, anyway. He keeps an Azumi 3000 RE on hold for me, but will have 2-3 differenct headjoints to try out. Unfortunately he has no Muramatsu EX in stock, but some Altus models.

My wife thinks I should just go ahead and buy something costing twice that of the Azumi if I like it. But I feel that may be above my skills/needs. So if I do there would have to be a notable difference, particularly in playing ease. Sonically there would no be much of a difference with me as a flutist I expect.

BTW I have an old wood Zimmermann flute from about 1915, given to me by my mother's uncle who always referred to it as the "Boehm flute". It is not playable in the low register, but I will have the flute guy see if he can repair it.

Just for follow-up ...

I bought an Azumi 3000 RE Yesterday. Tested with 4 different headjoints, but found it hard to pick one in particular. I think my being out of shape after not playing for years made more of a difference between different headjoints than the headjoints themselves. I finally picked the one the seller said had the best sound with me. Another on I considered was brighter, but he said that could be a problem. Brightness may be hard to remove if you want to, but adding it can be done. Is that so?

There is no problem getting another of the 4 headjoint if I change my mind within the next few months.

That's great Tombur, i'd glad you've found a flute that you like, good luck with it.

Ange x