Bought new Pearl flute... couple of questions and a hello!

[jetflute]

Hello! Well, kind of a re-hello! I looked back in the forum and I posted in 2010! about upgrading from my high school 1992 (ish) Gemeindhardt KB Special. A lot has happened since that post, a divorce, sold that flute in the ensuing drama, but long story short I decided to plunge in and get myself a flute. I really missed playing. After researching a lot and drooling over flutes that I can't afford, I did what I see you guys always recommend: Try some and buy the best flute you can afford. I ended up buying the Pearl 665 from my local flute shop; got a good deal at $1095. I can always upgrade the hj in the future.

I tried these (sorted my least favorite to my favorite):
Yamaha YFL-361
Azumi AZ2
Sonare PS-501 (and 601!)
DiZhao DZ600 - I actually loved my sound on this one and the Sonare the best, but the mechanism didn't feel as solid.
Pearl 665 (winner!)

And for fun I tried an Altus 907. Which was by far my favorite, but out of my budget, especially as a divorced single mom out of practice intermediate hobbyist!

Onto a couple of questions:
8notes.com - is the subscription worth it? I like the idea of it, I do everything online now, makes sense to find music and play along online also. Any other practice websites, etc. that you suggest? I've been using google's metronome to practice my scales.

My middle octave Eb on this flute just does NOT sound right. I am using the correct fingering with my left pointer finger up for venting, and my middle D sounds pretty darn good (to my ear). I'll admit that while my tone in general needs work from being somewhat rusty, it sounds too bad to be all my doing. Did a little research and sounds like it could be a venting issue, or that the Eb pinky tone hole isn't opening enough, or a combination of the two... I know I can bring it back to where I bought it, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to let the band instrument technicians there have a go at it. Not that it's a $10,000 flute, and I guess I should at least let them know I think there's something amiss. It was his last one in stock, but I'm sure he is planning to get another anyway and I can test on it and see if it replicates. Any advice? Is it worth shipping it out even though it's brand new, to a flute specialist technician for a lookover/tune up? How much does something like that run?

Thanks!

[SylvreKat]

I would totally take it back to the shop. They should adjust it for free since you just got it from them. If you send it to a specialist, it'll cost--shipping, the work itself, return shipping. To me it's a no-brainer--try the free route first. Unless you know for a fact that the shop's techs aren't good?

As for being "band techs" that's exactly what my repairman is. But he's extremely diligent and attends conferences and keeps up on techniques for all the instruments not just his chosen trumpet. He adjusted my 20-year-old $1000 Armstrong's keys/springs to respond more like the $3500 brand-new Gemi Anniversary whatever flute (and teased me about that--no charge for the teasing ) I have had zero mechanical issues with any of my horns, outside of the Artley which wasn't his fault. Its tone holes aren't finished. Yes, they're raw-edged metal. Once I started playing marching band meaning I played the picc lots more than in jr hi, it shredded three sets of pads in three months. He hand-cut a set of pads out of trumpet spit-valve foam. Might not play as well as with real pads, but it's never needed a repad since. So do not knock band techs short. Just because they're not specialists doesn't mean they don't have some mad repair skills of their own.

Go back to the shop and see what they say about that Eb. And see if they're ordering in another Powell. If not, ask them to. Point out they should be able to send yours back as faulty and under warranty. When the other arrives, play it and see if it has the same Eb issue. If so, might just be something quirky in that model combined with your admitted-rusty skills. If not, switch out and problem solved!

>'Kat

[fluteguy18]

You're probably right that it's likely to be a venting issue, particularly if E natural and D natural sound fine. My guess is that it needs to open more. I would also try the free route first. It's really just a few swipes of sandpaper under the cork to get it to open more.

But then again, it's probably not a bad idea to have a flute specialist look it over to ensure that it's set up properly. I've not been as impressed with the 'from the maker' setup since Joe moved to Altus. Someone like myself, or JL Smith, Flute Specialists, Flutistry, Flute Pro Shop... someone who has a strong background as a flute player and a high end flute technician. There are many wonderful 'band techs' out there too. Jeff Dening is a woodwind guy and his work is very nice. Miles Davis in kentucky is rock solid too.

As for being around since 2010... girl, don't get me started! I've been here since 2006, and Phineas? He's been around before ALL of us. Stop making me feel old.

Try your local guy because it's probably easy. If they can't handle it, then it's probably a general pad setup issue (certainly possible), or a headcutting issue (unlikely).

[Phineas]

I ended up buying the Pearl 665 from my local flute shop; got a good deal at $1095. I can always upgrade the hj in the future.

I use to own one of these before someone stole it. Good choice!

8notes.com - is the subscription worth it? I like the idea of it, I do everything online now, makes sense to find music and play along online also. Any other practice websites, etc. that you suggest? I've been using google's metronome to practice my scales.

If it is valuable to you, and you will use it, subscribe. You can always cancel later.

My middle octave Eb on this flute just does NOT sound right. I am using the correct fingering with my left pointer finger up for venting, and my middle D sounds pretty darn good (to my ear). I'll admit that while my tone in general needs work from being somewhat rusty, it sounds too bad to be all my doing. Did a little research and sounds like it could be a venting issue, or that the Eb pinky tone hole isn't opening enough, or a combination of the two... I know I can bring it back to where I bought it, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to let the band instrument technicians there have a go at it. Not that it's a $10,000 flute, and I guess I should at least let them know I think there's something amiss. It was his last one in stock, but I'm sure he is planning to get another anyway and I can test on it and see if it replicates. Any advice? Is it worth shipping it out even though it's brand new, to a flute specialist technician for a lookover/tune up?

I get my flutes looked at every year. Pricing depends on the work that was needed. When you play, things wear out and need replacement/adjustment. If you can sound good on D, then you may just need an adjustment.

As for being around since 2010... girl, don't get me started! I've been here since 2006, and Phineas? He's been around before ALL of us. Stop making me feel old.

.

Dude, I am pushing the big 50 this year. I resemble the old remark...HUH!!

[JButky]

Dude, I am pushing the big 50 this year. I resemble the old remark...HUH!!

Phineas, You are making me feel old...