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2010-2011 Alto and Bass Flute Recommendations
Here are my alto and bass flute recommendations for 2010-2011. While at the National Flute Assoc. convention in Anaheim in August, I tried all the new altos and basses I could get to in 5 hours. Here are the brands I recommend with some general price information.
Alto Flutes Models under $3000 (most come with curved and/or straight heads)
- Dean Yang
- diMedici
- DiZhao
- Gemeinhardt has not been on my list for years, but I played ONE straight head that was acceptable. I didn't like the curved head version.
- Jupiter
- Pearl
- Sonare (sterling head model - straight head only)
- Trevor James
Models between $3001 and $5000
- Altus
- diMedici
- Trevor James
Models above $5000
- Haynes is working on a alto. I tried a prototype - great low register
- Eva Kingma - has an open-hole model - straight head only
- Miyazawa - straight head only
- Yamaha - I don't like the bright tone of this gold-brass alloy, but otherwise this is a fine instrument
Bass Flutes
- Di Zhao includes trill keys. At $2100, a bargain! (dizhaoflutes.com)
- Pearl - $3500-ish
- diMedici horizontal model ($3900-ish) and vertical model($4600-ish). I prefer the sound of the horizontal model. The vertical model still requires a VERY uncomfortable stretch of the right hand to be able to reach the foot-joint keys, but then, I do have short arms. Floor peg support has improved over last year.
- Gemeinhardt - ($4500) has not ever been on my list. This year I tried ONE I liked. Try the model with trill keys.
- Altus ($7500) Gorgeous sound.
- Eva Kingma has horizontal model with a glorious sound ($9700). Also has small and large bore available and a comfortable vertical bass.
- Kotato Has a very practical and flexible graphite rod that holds the flute up. ($12,000)
- I tried four Trevor James basses, and only liked one. There is a Guo grenadite bass flute, the low register needs work.
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