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.