[ving]

Hello folks,

I am thinking about buying a silver body Yamaha to match my EC headjoint, if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate them. Ideally, I would like to pick up a silver closed hole C foot body--those seem to be harder to come by, but I thought I would check in here if anyone has any leads...(Bruce?)


Thanks,

ving

 

[bruce bailey]

No Yamahas here at this time. You should find one cheap OK since you can take a C foot.

 

[ving]

Bruce---thanks for the info, could you let me know what the model number is for a silver c foot model in Yamaha? Is it the 461 or 500 something?


Thanks,

ving

 

[shmuelyosef]

You want a 421 if you live in the US...C foot, closed hole, but no split E. If you can find a 411 (mostly these are available in EU) it has the split E, which is well done on the Yamahas. Last year, I sold my Gemeinhardt 3SB and bought a CY head and a 211 body (silver plated)...I couldn't be happier...love the split E, the sound, response and evenness of scale are terrific, and it is lighter weight than the 421. I noticed no difference in playability between the 421 and 221 (which was my intention to buy) and the lightness (of both the instrument and the check) was compelling. Ended up finding a 211 on fleabei...history.

I have a 225S (with the Nippon Gakki emblem...these are a good vintage) that I would probably part with.

 

[ving]

THanks! It sounds like I would be after the 411--I want the split E--I didn't get it on the flute I have now and I regret it...



ving

 

[asaxman]

Ving, Are you having a GAS attack??!! Ask Gordon, (NZ), and others, and they will tell you- there are no difference between the 200, 300, and 400 flutes. I like the EC myself, but have tried ALL the Yamaha flutes, and think, as Gordon says, it's the design not the material.

 

[ving]

No, not really a need to buy something just for the sake of buying it--I haven't been as happy lately with my flute and feel like a Yamaha body may be a better match for the EC head than what I am using. I know the debate about materials, I feel there is a difference, though--even if its in my head! Anyhow, you can't get a split E on a 200 series anyhow...

 

[shmuelyosef]

My 211 has the split E...got it from Matthews music and mated it to my CY head.

Current Matthews prices for closed-hole flutes with split E:
YFL-211 - $667 (standard student head)
YFL-411 - $1903 (includes the non-pro sterling head with machine cut CY profile)
YFL-514 - $2262 (handmade flute that includes pro EC head that you can probably get $400 back for)
YFL-614 - $3220 (lots of nice features)
or the ultimate:
YFL-814 - Google Translation or Original Japanese

...it is only in the US that high-quality closed-hole flutes are not readily available, but Matthews includes US shipping in those prices.

Given that you already have a real nice head, I can't see that the heavier silver body with identical keywork is worth >$1200!!! But it's your call. If you really want the silver body, I would advise just buying the 514 and selling off the head. Much nicer flute for about the same investment. I was thinking about that when I bought my 211, but I just don't play enough flute to justify that kind of investment...

 

[ving]

Unfortunately, I already am playing on a silver plate body, so going to the 211 would seem to be a step down--I didn't know you could get the split E on thsoe, thats pretty cool. But, finances may limit me to waiting until I can afford the silver body, the 514 would really just be the same as what
i have now--although hopefully better matched to my head. Well, I will keep an eye out--if I can grab a 411 cheap on ebay, that may be the route I go...

 

[ving]

I should say that first I dropped my flute off at the shop--we'll see if there had been some leaks going on that I couldn't identify, I wouldn't be surprised....

 

[bruce bailey]

The above comments pretty well sum it up. I don't think going the Yamaha route will improve your present situation. Perhaps a Powell Signature may be a better move albeit more money. PM me if you want a US type body sent up. I try not to use the split E and go with a donut. Less money and less hassle!

 

[ving]

Update--thanks for the info, Bruce. I did have my flute in for some repair work and it was leaking a lot more than I realized, I have found the response to be much improved at this point so I am sticking with what I have for now...

(Surprising I couldn't figure this out, it wasn't anything real overt--I assumed it was me...!)