Two Problems I need opinions on, please

[MissyHPhoenix]

Hey everyone. I have been trying out a new Pearl Quantz 765 with a Forza headjoint. I have a couple of issues that I'd like your help/opinion/advise on, please.

1. The headjoint has a gold-plated lipplate, which I thought is usually to help with people who have a silver allergy. For the first time for me, every time I play the flute I end up with a "black" chin from tarnish. I have tried wiping the flute down really well before I play, but that did not help. I also wondered if it was my moisturizer and/or makeup (which never bothered the sold silver flutes I played before), so tried without anything on my face -- with no results. Has anybody else run into this before? It seems strange to me that I would be tarnish from a gold-plated lipplate, when I don't from a sold silver one! Help! Anything I can do???

2. The low D and C on this headjoint do not come out well for me -- they are very airy and light. From low E up, tho, it has a great, full tone. I have no problem with getting out these low notes on other flutes. Should I assume that it is simply an issue with me getting used to the new headjoint? Have any of you had this problem with new/other flutes? Do you think it will come with time?

Thanks again for any help you can give me, as always.

[JButky]

Hi Missy,

Pearl Flutes are solid 10K Gold lip plates on these models, not plated. There is no silver in that area, so this must be a makeup problem.

Quantz with a Forza headjoint is the Anniversary model...yes? You should have an A765 as opposed to a regular 765 from your description. Anniversary models are all coda models too with C# trill key and D# roller. If you have a Forza head with a regular 765 Quantz, it may not be new since we don't sell it that way.

Sounds like you most likely have a leaky pad, probably the D# key and possibly the D key. You should have it checked, even new flutes can have leaks for a lot of reasons. Have it checked and then give it another try.

Joe B
Pearl Flutes

[MissyHPhoenix]

Yes, it is the anniversary model. And, ya know, I didn't even think about it being a pad leaking! Dumb me! I'll have it looked at today. Thanks for the heads-up on that!

I've played it with and without makeup and/or moisturizer, and still got the black chin. It's weird -- never had that problem before. Is there any alloy in the gold?

[JButky]

10K gold is an alloy. By definition, it is 10 parts in 24 pure gold. (41.7%)

So there are 14 parts that other metals make up. If I had to guess, there is probably some nickel in the alloy. Some people are allergic to nickel but it is a common metal in 10K gold alloys (sometimes known as white gold even though it's still yellow in color)

[fluteguy18]

Black chin is a common problem that many flutists have. I've never had a problem, so I don't really know what to recommend, but you should definitely try playing makeup free, and make sure that the cloth you are wiping it down with isn't a "polishing cloth." Those have polish infused into the fabric, and often leave a residue on the surface.

You could also do a search for the problem here on the board. I know that it has come up before.

[MissyHPhoenix]

Thanks to both of you! Since I had never run into this black chin problem before, I didn't think about the polishing mitt perhaps affecting it. I have been using a regular soft cloth to wipe off after each practice, but last night did a special vigorous rub on the headjoint before playing, then practiced without anything on a freshly-cleaned face, and thus no black chin! Makes sense when you think it through. Sorry that I didn't think to do a search before I posted -- I forget about the search feature, sometimes. I appreciate the responses and the courtesy to me. Happy fluting!

[pied_piper]

You might want to wipe down the embouchure plate with alcohol. Denatured alcohol is best, but isopropyl is OK too. Just lightly moisten a VERY soft cloth with it and then gently wipe it to remove any residue.