Yamaha models

[Gene]

What would be there best two closed hole models not brand new anybody know or have an opinion?

[stevesklar]

I'm not sure what you mean by "best" but Check
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Catalog/Catalog_GSMOCX/0,6366,CTID%253D236900%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.ht ml

for your answer. But their top-of-the-line model (900 series Custom) you can get any way you want it.

But, keep in mind, if you got a French open flute you could always use plugs for it. A more important question is whether you would want an offset G or not.

I use 2 flutes - a solid silver Armstrong plateau model with a thick head and a thin head Armstrong open hole (w/plugs) model. Both are different in tone. with the thicker head having a darker more mellow tone.

[piccolo_cate]

I quite like the YFL-421 as a decent flute. I was tossing up between that one and my Trevor James (which, if you're going to buy one of those, make sure its a pro. I've had some nasty surprises when it comes to problems with that flute. It plays like a dream, but it has some pretty bad technical problems!) I played on a Yamaha student for three years though (an older one, its probably about 10 years old now) and it has a lot of guts. If you're beginning, I really recommend a Yamaha student.

[goodsax]

I've just begun working on flute for possible future doubling and found a Yamaha YFL281 on eBay in the $200 range. It's open hole, but comes with, or you can get, hole plugs until sufficiently competent to go play the open hole version. This way, you get the best of both worlds at a very reasonable price.

[Gordon (NZ)]

As far as I am aware almost every maker of professional flutes offers closed hole versions at the top of their range. My own 'hand-made' Muramatsu is a case in point.

These are not often seen in USA because USA distributors and players have more of a fixation on open holes than some other parts of the world. In USA they may be special order items, and some dealers may not even know they exist.