I would like to buy a Yamaha 674H or Miyazawa PA 402's ( I think it comes with Brögger system) or Muramatsu EX. I can't decide. I can play on them very good but I'd prefer EC on Yamaha and MZ7 on Miyazawa. I don't know anything about muramatsu. I've been twice in the store to try the flutes and it would be a lil bit embarassing to go there again and try them. :D But who cares... So what do you think which ones of these have a very good quality/sound. I liked miyazawa and yamaha. But people says I should try Muramatsu as well. What would u suggest? What's your experience in these flutes? Like the sound, mechanism, durability, MuraEX has nickel-silver body and the rests have silver. Any difference between material? I appreciate your help.

It REALLY depends on what YOU sound best on.. quality wise, they are all very good flutes!

I've never tried a Muramatsu, but I did try both Yamahas (though 574) and Miyazawas (102-402 models)

Go back and try them again!

What helped me really decide on what flute to get (actually got a Pearl Dolce and have a Yam EC headjoint.. works GREAT for me..) is to have someone listen to you play something easy but can still hear tone etc etc. They write down what they think of each flute (without knowning which one) as well as you writing down what you think of playing them (even though you know which one..)

Get the one that feels best to you

thats not a bad idea

And just to add..

There really is not that much difference in material.. especially when your talking about the level of flutes you are. A solid silver Gemeindhart will more than likely be blown away by a Miyazawa that only has a silver lip plate

Just try as many different flutes as you can, and don't feel bad about going back lots of times to play all the flutes.. have you asked if you can take them home for a few days? Most music stores wouldn't mind, in my limited experience anyway..

yeah, but I dont have that much on my credit card to take them home )) Well a PA102's likely blows away a prof. gemeinhardt... LOL. what do u think about yamaha 674H? well i go back tomorrow and I'll try them.

None of them. Buy a Powell. Just try for yourself. If you can't make up your mind yourself on any of these fine instruments and you have to ask on a flute forum, then maybe you are not ready for any of them.

No. I am ready, but I need another ones opnion too cuz maybe they have (you have) good or bad experience on them. Durability, mechanism, and the most important thing is the sound from low B to the highest D (or highest C)

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I was thinking about miyazawa though.

Once you get into that price range and start looking at more handmade flutes, they are pretty much made well and you can't go wrong with anyone of them. I like Muramatsu and Miyazawa in that price range personally. I just don't care much for the Miyazawa headjoints is all. They are better than the Yamaha's EC though. I own a Muramatsu EX as my back up flute and it has been a tremendous flute so far! It would be hard to beat with anything in that price range or above in some cases.

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As far as if you are ready or not, I would have to hear you play to make that judgment I suppose.

I played all three brands in this price range when I bought my Muramatsu EX III. The key factors for me were

1) the Muramatsu headjoint was so much more versatile than either of the others. The Miyazawa was unresponsive (I tried several cuts) and the Yamaha EC had a tendency to shrillness that took to much work to subdue (I like a full, dark, resonant flute sound as the nominal, as it is easier to intensify than to 'mellow').

2) While I wanted a better flute, I really didn't want a silver body...the plated cupro-nickel bodies are a bit lighter and I perceive them to be better balanced. This is also why I was looking for a C foot. Again, the Muramatsu was just very comfortable and satisfying to play.

as a caveat, I was limiting my search to plateau flutes...

Just wanted to add again.. it really depends on YOU.

I disagree with the player above about the EC's being more shrill. I have an amazing sound (according to my teacher) on EC's especially in the low range (The higher takes a bit more work for me on this hj but its getting there) and it was one that had the darkest and best sounds for me despite which flute body I used (tried 2 or 3 with the EC).

Any of these flutes are great quality wise.. you won't go wrong with any of them. Now you need to pick the one YOU sound best on, which we obviously cannot tell you over the internet

Yes that's true. When I tried
Yfl674H: with EC cut I played on it brilliant.

Miyazawa 402: It had MZ6 cut and I played like a 8 y/o beginner who just try to make a sound on the flute. with MZ7 cut I really really enjoyed the brilliant sound on it. I liked the full sound on it and it was so easy to play the all notes on it. I don't know how they do the headjoint cuts I haven't seen any differences on their look. They were so look-alike...

Muramatsu: I have to try it. Lot of people have good experience with it. Do they have different headjoint cuts as well?

any comments?

I sounded best on the 7 also for the Miyazawa cuts. It would be a toss up over the Mura or Miya for me. I would not go for the Yamaha only because I clash with the scale on them and they are not as expressive sounding for me. Now if you put another handmade headjoint on a Yamaha, it could sing a lot better.

Muramatsu does make two kind of headjoints. Just look it up on their site. What about a Powell Signature? I don't care for the headjoints on them, but upgrade that and that is one heck of a flute! I don't usually go for the heads that come on flutes anyway. They are too personal and headjoints are like shoes to me.

I should also mention that if you do a google search on any flute brands or models you will find a mess of information out there.

Yeah thats what I say too, I don't like yamaha. I am very close to decide what to get. I'll get a Muramatsu EX or GX. But I may end up with miyazawa.