 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-10-08 21:32
Are there any opinions on Sonare flutes? They are a division of Powell and have the Powell "Signature" headjoint. My daughter is ready for a step-up flute and since the headjoint is 50% (at least) of the sound, I thought this would be a good choice. My thinking is that I buy her one more flute and that it should be good all the way to college. DiMedici and Pearl are other brands I'm considering. I'm not sure about Gemeinhardts anymore since they seem to be heavily discounted in the online ads I've seen. She wants French style with the B foot. Also, are the pointed arms worth the $400 or so that they seem to cost?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2003-10-08 21:48
i would recomend getting either a Gemeinhardt or yamaha, and if she wants a b foot and open holes there is no way you can get that for $400 and have it reliable. the cost for a dependable one is probably from about $800-$1000. good luck! :D
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-10-08 22:05
Thanks. The $400 I was referring to is the difference between the Y arms and the Pointed arms. I figure $2000 is the upper limit for total cost.
Jeff
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2003-10-08 23:14
I don't know anything about Sonare flutes, but I also have a Powell headjoint, and I really like it. If it's in your price range, have her try it out. Once she gets to college, she will probably need a professional flute (at least $5000) so keep in mind she may need another one. My intermediate model was a Yamaha, and I was very happy with it. I have heard good things about Pearl also, and personally I do not like Gemeinharts. It's all up to personal preference. Have her try some and see what she likes.
Amanda
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Author: musichick
Date: 2003-10-08 23:43
I have a yamaha as well, and like it a lot. If this is an intermediate or advanced flute you are buying, she really does need to try out the flutes for herself. About French pointed arms- They are suppose to place the key more accuratly over the hole. Y-arms (used on student models) are supposidly not as accurate, but sturdier. If you want the flute to last through high school and beyond, go for solid silver, B-foot, open-hole, split E, and any other features you want. It might be a little more expensive, but it will be worth it. Check out http://www.wwbw.com for some great prices, and they will ship up to three flutes to you to try out if there is no music store near by.
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Author: Steven King
Date: 2003-10-09 00:07
Any of Powell models is an EXCELANT choice for a College student. It will probably be good for most if not all her professional careere as well. Powell is a very looked up to brand in the professional world
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-10-09 17:26
Thanks for everyone's help. After reading Amanda's comments, I decided to get an intermediate-level flute since she probably would need a pro flute (ouch) in college (double ouch). I had been hoping to get some middle ground. She wasn't really interested in trying out the various flutes. I guess she doesn't realize how much a good instrument can help her sound. With all that in mind, I found a newer Gemeinhardt (two teacher recommendations) 3SB on eBay for $675 and bought it. This should get her through Freshman (next year) to maybe Senior in High School. If she's still interested THEN, maybe I'll pop for a Powell (or Haynes).
Jeff
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Author: miller
Date: 2003-10-10 09:51
i'm getting a b foot for my flute the case'llcost me £100 while the joint £200 it'll be practically impossible toget a decent flute with b foot joint for $400
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-10-11 18:55
Flute with pointed arms = $1395
Flute without pointed arms = $1795
Difference = $ 400
I hope this explains the $400 amount. It was the difference between a Sonare 6000 (without pointed arms)and a Sonare 7000 (with pointed arms). As it turns out, I paid just under $700 total for a solid silver flute with a B foot, case and cover.
Cheers,
Jeff
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Author: flutemom
Date: 2003-10-13 13:36
Have you ever played one or know someone who played one?
My daughter just tried out a Sonare flute recommended by her flute instructor. It will be her next flute.
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-10-13 19:54
I don't know anyone who's played one. In fact, my daughter didn't want to try one out which is why I bought the Gemeinhardt. Since the Sonare carries the Powell name, they are probably pretty good. Which one did she try and how did it sound?
Jeff
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Author: David Kilkenny
Date: 2003-10-16 20:06
The Sonare SF5000 features a silver plated body married to a solid silver Powell Signature headjoint. It has a street price of approx. $999. The Sonare SF-6000 features a solid silver body, the Powell Signature headjoint, and adds 10K gold wire springs and Powell's patented trill pads, which add resoncance and projections. It sells for $1500. The Sonare SF-7000 has all of the features on the SF-6000, with the addition of pointed arms. The SF-7000 sells for approx. $2000.
The Sonare flute is a great step-up instrument. The headjoint provides a distinctive, rich sounds and makes it easy to play. Powell uses the same headjoint on their Signature Series.
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-11-01 22:34
Well, back to square one. The Gemeinhardt is an in-line G and her present one is an offset G. So, I'm going to sell it and get a Sonare like I should have done in the first place!
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Author: Cindi
Date: 2003-11-04 12:34
I just played a Sonare that a student of mine purchased. It played beautifully throughout the range. When I found out it was from Powell, I felt completely confident with it.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2003-11-18 19:33
Yesterday, I bought a Sonare SF5000 with offset G, B-foot and the split-E (retail $1095). My 12-year old daughter had tried the Gemeinhardt 3OSHB (retail $849). I couldn't tell much difference in sound between it and the Yamaha 225 student rental she has been playing. The Sonare on the other hand has a much fuller sound to my lay ear. I consider that difference well worth the price difference.
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-12-01 00:12
I just bought a Sonare 7000. It has the offset G and Split E. They only had the 5000 and this one in stock. I held my breath and aked the price of the 7000. He said $1675. I went there later that day with my daughter. She played it and was able to get more notes out of it than her 2M Gemeinhardt. We bought it on the spot. I was kind of surprised at the price since the best internet price for the 7000 (no Split E) was $1795. I didn't argue, though. ;^)
Jeff
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Author: Wendy Nelson
Date: 2003-12-06 20:52
Jeff,
Please tell me where you bought the Sonare 7000 for so little. I haven't seen it on the internet for under 2100.
Wendy
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2003-12-07 22:50
I got mine at Nottelmann Music in St. Louis 314-631-1486. The ones for $1795 (no Split-E, tho) is from Kessler
http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/flutes/sonare.htm
Fluteworld also has them for under $2K
http://www.fluteworld.com/Merchant/flutes_sonare.htm
When you see fluteworld's price for the one with the Split-E, you'll see what a good deal I got!
Might want to give Nottelmann a call and see if they have any left. Great people to work with, although it was 30 years between direct dealings (not many new instruments bought in that time) ;^).
Jeff
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Author: Lily
Date: 2004-01-14 15:48
Hi Jeff,
Where did you get the Sonare 7000 for $1675? I just called up one flute dealer in New York, and I was given a quote of $2500?
Thanks,
Lily
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Author: Lori
Date: 2004-01-14 19:53
I tried 4 different flutes last night at a music store - all comparable in terms of features, all with solid silver heads and plated bodies. The Sonare was by far my favorite. It was the SF5BGF model, and the price was $1295, although I am hoping to get him down lower since I have seen it on the internet at Flute World for $995.
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Author: Lily
Date: 2004-01-15 19:59
Hi,
Does any body know how many different types "body" that a Sonare 7000 have? I was researching on the Internet and found out some stores said it's "solid silver", while some said it "silver plated". I definitely am lookin to buy a Sonare 7000, and don't want to get a silver-plated one.
I am curious if the cheaper one comes with the plated silver and the more expensive one comes with solid silver. Originally I thought that Sonare 7000 comes in just with
one type of flute body.
Thanks,
Lily
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Author: Wendy Nelson
Date: 2004-01-21 10:16
From what I have learned, the 5000 model is plated and the others are solid silver. I just ordered a 7000 and am awaiting it in the mail.
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Author: Kirsten
Date: 2004-02-12 15:36
I just bought a Sonare SF7000 three weeks ago. It is a good flute with a great sound. I just need a bit of practise to play the low C and B. The valves seems to be a bit further away than on my old flute (Yamaha YFL211). I can really recommed the Sonare SF7000.
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Author: Tami
Date: 2004-02-13 23:36
O.K. I am going to try out a Sonare5 model tomorrow afternoon and i was wondering if that is a very good choice. if there are any suggestions on it feel free to list them!
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Author: Alfred Lopez
Date: 2004-03-02 14:46
I just tried a Sonare 5000 yesterday and though it is quite responsive and full sound it didn't quite project and resonate as a flute with a solid silver body. I would recommend the 5000 for intermediate high-school and first/second year college. After which, a 7000 would be a good upgrade. Even though I'm spoiled with models in the upper $2000 range, I bought the 5000 to play at my daughter's wedding in September. I will hand down the flute to her younger sister, eventually, and look to get a 7000 or perhaps (if I'm serious enough) get something like a Burkhart or a professional Powell.
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Author: Wolfwitch
Date: 2004-11-16 00:56
So, if I get this straight, the Sonare price range is about 1000 to 1500? American or candadian dollars? I'm about to get a new flute as a graduation gift and my parents want my input. They're asking about the Soare's price range, though. It's what my teacher reccomended, and from all I've heard, it sounds like the best, so I have my fingers crossed.
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Author: CC
Date: 2005-11-27 19:32
Has anyone found a sonare 7000 for any less than $2000 and if so where. My oarents are on a budget and they want to spend less that $2000. thanks
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