Last night we meet with the Haynes rep and they showed us the Amadues AF900B for my daughter. (13) We want to purchase one flute that will carry her through high school and behond unless she pursues further. they added a gold head joint for improved sound and the C# trill. the price is good but her teacher has suggested the Yamaha 684 thick wall flute.
any suggestions? there is about a 6 to 7 hundred dollar differene between the two with the Haynes being cheaper ( rep price they said.) she has not been able to play the yamaha 684, know one has it. they say it comes out in Aug.
I like the richer or darker sound of the haynes but what do I know I'm just her dad taht doesn't play.
None of the teaches know about the Amadues flute so I can't get any backup for durability. stats sound good but know expert or even an amature.
I did notice being more hand crafted I'm afaid the she can no buy a new head joint easley, since they could not interchange that they had. or is this the same with most bodies and head joint. Sorry for all the questions but trying to educate myself the best I can for my daughter. She doen't want to make the decision alone she looks to me. a lot of preasure.

how long has your daughter played?

If she has played for awhile, see if you can try them both blindfolded, flutes have a certain feel to them that she will either like or not, the same goes for the response, a Haynes Amadeus flute with a good headjoint would be quite good IMHO, but I am a Haynes player (I am even listed on their links on their website)

She only started last year but does practice every day and I believe her teacher is ready to start advancing and pushing her more. Even thought she takes care of her things very well theing still brake and want something that will last but also puts out a tone that is nice to hear and can be the sound that advances her in her musical classes and band at school. My wife has spoke to several teachers today and flute club and Amadues does not have much of a presents here for anyone to say they know it's good No track record. I believe the rep should give us the flute so we can become the spokes person for the schools and clubs.

An Amadeus or Yamaha would certainly be a very nice flute for your daughter right now as she could progress well, but just be prepared that if she gets very serious about it and decides to go to college, she may want to upgrade again as being that she is still a beginner, her style, technique and embouchure will change when she advances. Of course, you can always look into different headjoints. The headjoint is the heart of the flute and where you are going to get most of your sound from, so if you she likes the body of a flute, she can always change the headjoint.

Now a gold headjoint does not automatically equal better. There are some silver headjoints that could sound and play much better than gold. It is more in the design and the embouchure cut than anything. NOT the material. Also, gold plating does not make any difference in the sound, it is for looks or allergy reasons only regardless of what sales people will tell you.

Yamaha student line flutes are built just as nicely as say an Amadeus, but without all the extra bells and whistles. I also think they play just as nicely also and are great for students. I have heard of poor college students playing them throughout their schooling. I would sway more toward getting her one of these and later upgrading when her embouchure and sound is more mature and she knows more of what she wants.

I highly recommend the Muramatsu EX flute, even over the other two mentioned if you would really like to get her a nice flute but still in the price range as the Yamaha.

Wow, think you for all the great information. A lot to think about and it was starting to get to me. I let you know what we have decided.
My wife spoke with several people in the Atlanta flute club, the president of the club was very helpful, and given name of teachers she knew as well as professionals. I believe my wife spoke to them all and she said they were so helpful. I believe we are changing teachers now and the teacher will go with my daughter to listen as well or help us order a couple to try which fits her best.
I was told that Yamaha has upgrade head joints as well as it was proven itself as a releighable flute. Even though the Amadeus was very nice and sounded good too. I believe the head joints would hard to get and need to be custom so it would be hard to interchange and try. Know around this area know anything about the Amadeus flute; it has not been around long enough to tell the test of time. I may email the Haynes Rep and explain he may need to have a better presents in Atlanta area.
Any more information is appreciated and I will let you know the outcome.
Thank you again, this site has been a great help

Actually, The Amadeus flute is the best seller at Carere Music in Atlanta. They sell a lot of Haynes Amadeus flutes. Did you go to Carere and talk to the owner? She can tell you all about the Amadeus.

She had a lot of nice Muramatsus and a fantastic Altus a few months ago. She has a great selection of flutes available. She usually has 10 or 15 Amadeus flutes sitting around so you can try them all and find the one you like.

Whipkeys sells a lot of DiMedici and Sonare flutes. When I saw her at the Atlanta flute fair, she had a couple of Brios too.

Personally, I think that Muramatsu is the best in my price range for professional flutes. I love my Muramastsu.

Whipkeys and Carere are the place to buy flutes in Atlanta.

Nancy probably already told you to go to Carere if you spoke to her.

Good luck