Iwao Alto flute Start Price USD 4,000.00 Current Price USD 4,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 4,300.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 29, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 06, 2008 Location Hicksville, NY See more about 'Iwao Alto flute' Description This diMedici alto flute was maintained by flute specialist Anne Pollack in NYC prior to my decision to purchase in 2003 or 2004 (I cannot remember the exact year.) I came to Anne's shop for a flute repair and originally wanted a piccolo, but as soon as I tried this instrument I knew it was something special.  As I  spent more time on it, I felt the lay out of the keys were very comfortable and the actions were very precise whenever I pressed the keys down.  What grabbed my attention was the smoothness of its scale.  From low c to high c, the relation between each notes were very consistent and uniform.  The third octave of this instrument to my surprise was very supple and resonant, unlike most alto flutes as players go up in that fuzzy and temperamental range.  This is not your typical alto flute by diMedici division under Jupiter Band Instruments.  This rare alto flute was made in Japan, the 23rd (Serial number 0023, engraved on the barrel)alto flute designed by craftsman Iwao Yokoyama, who worked under Muramatsu Flutes for several years before he decided to start his Tokyo shop in 1961.  I estimate it was built between 1970 to the late 1980's.  I am not sure if this was made by the father or the son, but one Michigan flutist had mentioned and I confirmed the similarities by my own trials on Muramatsu altos, that this alto flute was the predecessor to today's Muramatsu alto flutes.This was often borrowed from me by my fellow flutists for recitals or chamber music performances.  Time after time it has proven its worth with tonal warmth and reliable mechanism.  Quite frankly, at one point I had tried altos by Haynes, Powell, Muramatsu, Pearl, James Wye, or Sankyo, I got so frustrated because none of them measured up to the consistency of this solidly built instrument.Here is the description of this instrument:It is a C foot alto flute, with no wear on its silver plated body or keys.  Its pads are in excellent condition, I wanted David Straubinger to make a set of his pads for this but too bad I have to wait until there are enough request for the Straubinger alto pads   I think if it has a set of Straubinger pads, it would be a phenominal instrument.  It has french pointed keys, and another reason why I bought it in the first places, was that all the tone holes are soldered.  Those of you who are pro know what it means. If you don't, it means unlike production line flutes the tone holes are punched and then drawn right from the tube(lighter).  But when you add extra metal and solder it to the tube, it requires tremendous amount of skill, attention and hand work.  In turn the sound is affected by the added weight, hand work, method of stacking tone holes improves the  overall playability and quality of the instrument. I am selling because I spend majority of my practice/playing on flute and piccolo.  This is meant to be played by a professional flutist or a serious performance major.  If you need more pictures just send a request.Note to bidders:Winning bidder:  You must establish communication with me.  I will oil, clean and check the overall condition of this alto before I ship it out to you.  If I find the instrument needs to be repair, I will inform you and have it fixed myself or at my own cost.  This instrument will be professionally packed.This instrument is guaranteed to play, I know because I am also a repair tech, it may take a some adjust to get used to it because everyone is built different.  If you are a amateur or a early college player,  I recommend you to spend some time with it, examine your embouchure set up, make the appropriate adjustment accordingly or spend some more time on long tones before sending a message telling me it does not work upon its arrival.  Payment:  Paypal or U.S Postal Money Order Only.  Shipping: 1. I will provide an more accurate cost and ship only after paypal clears the payment to my account. (3-4) business days.  I do not ship anything to a PO Box, it must be a physical address, that is, a paypal confirmed address.2. I do not ship over seas.3. I will provide the tracking and all the update. I treat any instrument like it is my own even when it leaves my possession.Low feedback Ebayer:  Must establish communication and seek approval.  Otherwise I will cancel your bid.$4500     Place a Bid!