Okay,, I'm getting a new flute this year for Christmas.. and I'm trying to decide between these two flutes. Altus is 4 yr old but overhauled a year ago, and yamaha is little less than 1 yr old and has not overhauled or COAed or anything. Yamaha comes with a EC headjoint and B foot, but Altus has Altus cut headjoint and C footjoint. Which one would be a better choice for me? by the way i'm in a situation where I can't try them out... Opinions? On fluteworld.com, Altus 907 is more expensive than Yamaha 674.. but considering yamaha flutes prices went down recently.. anyway any opinions appreciated.

to add some more information, both have open hole and pointed arm keys mechanism. thanks

I am sorry but I can't tell you which one to buy. We are all so different that the flute that may fit me may not fit you. They are like a pair of shoes. Also, without trying these two models out, I couldn't possilbe tell you which one. I wish I could be more help but that is going to have to be your choice.

I've been using yamaha 200 series. I hope it makes sense to you that I'm in a want of a new flute. I'm not that good of a flautist; I'd rather buy one of those flutes (they are used ones) than spending money on intermediate flutes like sonare azumi or yamaha 481. As I've mentioned, I don't get to try them out. I just wanted to hear your opinions and what you think as to which one would be better in general maybe in objective side. But no quarrels please!

But no quarrels please!

Umm.. okay. I didn't think that anyone was quarreling. Did I miss something?

One flute is not better than the other. Flip a coin.

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The first line is supposed to be in quotations. I don't know what happened, but it didn't work.

No matter what Yamaha says on their WEB, the YFL674 should be considered an intermediate flute and not a professional model. I have one 674 and I never tried the Altus so I cannot compare, but I think that a one year old Yamaha is a safer bet IMHO. If you cannot try any of those two, could it be possible you go to a local shop offering any or both of them and give it (them) a try, even without having the intention to buy?

I have a Yammie 674H which I ordered in May this year. Very well made and lovely tone. I have to change my embouchure to the EC cut, the CY cut is easier for me as I am so used to it. I found the 674 rather heavy compared to my other 381 model! and with the EC cut, your embouchure have to be spot on! The resistant is also higher! I think if I have a choice, I would pick the Altus 907, I think it will be easier to play, and brighter, the 674 have a darker tone! I chosed the Yamaha because its cheaper! and its all silver! Like you, I am unable to play test the instruments. But a new Altus 907 is much more expensive! Don't be attracted by all silver!!

Joseph

I go with Kara.
Putting aside that both flutes are in good mechanical conditions (does any need repair or revision?), there is no other way to asure that one is better than the other.
Both brands (and models) are fine, with international good reputation.
You wold really need to try playing them.

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<assure><would>

It looks like they just came here to get answers like a lot of people and then just disappear. I don't know about anyone else, but am getting tired of seeing posts like this without any follow up. I mentioned this also in another post.

Well... Sorry for this late conclusion. I was just seeing if anyone gives a decisive answer; however, reading others' replies, I was silly to ask a question such as this one. I ended up with the Yamaha 684H because I inferred that these two flutes are of the same caliber; I didn't think there would be that much difference after all considering myself who still needs to bone up on flute-playing(here I mean I'm not that good of a flute-player yet). Another reason is that I thought the Yamaha would sell better if I were to sell it in case I'd need a better flute later on because of Yamaha, the brand name; and its options such as B-footjoint. I probably won't change my mind unless I find a critical defect with the Yamaha, so this post ends here. Thanks for all the replies of yours and any additional replies are also welcome.

Glad to see you came back with a follow up

You never did answer some of the questions as to why your were limited to just those brands and why you couldn't try them out though. We are just trying to help. I am sure you will be happy with the Yamaha, they make nice flutes.

Well..I forgot to write that. I was purchasing it over the internet, and it was hard to, you know, try both of them out before buying it. That would be the reason why. Thanks for the help, Kara, and y'all!

My older 681HHV just needed a new $1000 wood headjoint to get the sound I wanted out of it. Almost 15 years *after* I bought it, mind you - it took that long to really feel the need for a different sound. The original headjoint served me very well. I really doubt it you'll ever get good enough to need a better flute. At least not for a decade. It's not a very flashy flute, but like their grand pianos, they are surprisingly good tools.

Even now, if I wanted a better flute, it would be mostly a matter of wanting something new and shiny... Heh.

I tried out several handmade ones in the $1000-1500 range but settled on this:

http://www.headjoints.com/
The Louis Lot one. I found one here in Los Angeles at a shop and loved it. Nice old-school sound but none of the fitting and tenon issues of trying to put a wood headjoint on a metal body.

The Boehm model is reportedly very good. Both are old-school and focus on tone and response versus sheer volume and penetration(most modern headjoints, IMO)

If I need it to reach that far back, I can always put a mic on it, after all.

Powell makes a similar headjoint to these - fits right on with no fuss. IIRC, Powell's and full Circle's are conical bore, which is why they have a pronounced "woodwind" sound.(bit like an Oboe's tone, but quite obviously a flute and not a reed)

http://www.jnovoheadjoints.com/index.html
I've also heard good information about his work as well. Nice info on the site as well.