Fluteland.com Flute Message Board

[rob80b]

Hi,

First time posting so I’d thought I’d join in with a few thoughts.
I’m self taught, starting back in the early 70’s and 80’s but have let my playing lapse big time over the last twenty years due to many other commitments, painting, electro acoustic music composition, family and work.
As an incentive to get my self playing again I’d thought I’d look into a new flute so I went to audition a few, Altus 907, Sankyo Etude and a Muramatsu EX.
Out of the three I liked the Muramatsu but with my lapse in playing I personally felt I could not presently justify getting one of the above-mentioned models, dollar and skill wise.
I currently have an Armstrong 80B with a P4 head-joint which I bought in 2000, after my one year old son trashed my Armstrong 100 big time while I wasn’t looking.

From doing my research most higher end makers have their lower models manufactured in the Orient and going over the older posts here I came across a few that mentioned the last Armstrong Heritage Flutes 60/61B in the same category as the Altus, Sankyo and a Muramatsu entry models, so I took a leap of faith after seeing an Armstrong Heritage 60B at a very good price and am waiting on delivery.

I do realize that the 80B (USA) is all silver and on the 60B (China?) it’s only the head joint but from reading many, many posts it is not something to be concerned with.
The 60B is also hand assembled with a hand cut embouchure; gold springs and pointed arms so in theory should be an upgrade from the 80B.
Anyone care to comment, I do realize that Armstrong have taken a bad rap over the years, although my first Armstrong 100 (1975) and 80B (2000) have held up quite well.

Robert

[rob80b]

I forgot to mention that it's the differences in the head joints, P4 to the hand cut embouchure on the 60B that I'd be interested in hearing about and what to expect while I'm waiting on delivery in a week or so.

Robert

[rob80b]

Thought I’d post a follow up on the Armstrong 60B.
From the little information that I could find the new Heritage line 61/60B lived a short life span, not too sure on the politics involved, but was part of Armstrong’s venture in producing a reasonable priced semi-professional flute by having it manufactured in China, I believe, so not to be confused with the Vintage Heritage line.
"RETURNING TO THE HERITAGE Line tradition of quality instruments. Armstrong has introduced a new line of alto and C flutes. "Flutists are asking for instruments with premium performance and feature characteristics at accessible prices," said Gerardo Discepolo, flute product manager. "The new Heritage line has been developed with these goals in mind, offering great value and providing performance that is truly deserving of the Heritage legacy."
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/armstrong+unveils+new+heritage+flute+line.%28Product+News%29-a0112862433
With direct comparison to my 80B SS (1999) the 60B once properly setup and adjusted is IMHO a definite step up from the 80B. Although the 80B gives confidence of a well-machined instrument the 60B has that slight hand assembled appearance, even the pads have been individual shimmed for performance, I checked. The hand cut embouchure took a little bit of adjustment over the P4 on the 80B, but is open to more flexibility and octave changing, where as the P4 is overcut for ease of playing but not as open for express ability.
Over all I found it comparable to the Altus 907, the Muramatsu and Sankyo appeared better made, but I’m relying from memory.
For the price for which I paid, a quarter of the original $2400 suggested retail, I’m happy with my purchase but only time will tell if it will hold up as well as the older Armstrongs.
As a foot note I’d like to add that having been out of the loop for quite awhile I was a bit overwhelmed to find that there are so many manufactures out there, many unknown, mostly from China, with the same specs, pointed arms, open holed, b foot, sterling silver, etc as the more established ($$$$) manufacturers starting a at a 10th the price so there is no way of knowing what quality of flute is being sold so it’s probably safer to stick with established lines even though their lower models are made in China and elsewhere.
Interesting enough though is that Armstrong apparently has moved everything back to the States, “Made in USA”, no bravado intended as I’m in Canada.

Robert