Silver vs Silver-Plated North Bridge 700 vs 500 Step-Up - Flute Center Sponsored

I am doing a Flute Center trial of North Bridge Step-Up flutes. You know that I’ve done comparisons before. But this time I wanted to use the same exact headjoint, to compare a sterling silver body to a silver-plated body.
So, the headjoint is sterling silver handmade by flute artisan Chris McKenna. The intermediate level flute bodies are the North Bridge Flutes Series 700 and the Series 500. The 700 has a sterling silver body, and the 500 has a silver-plated body. The 700 also has the C# trill key. Otherwise, these flutes are identical.
This is exactly what I wanted so that I could do an “apples to apples” comparison of silver vs. silver-plated. In today’s market, there is an $1,100 difference in price between these two flutes. But can you tell the difference? I sure could.
Join me for this week’s video and let me know if you think these 2 flutes sound different from each other.
Here is a link to the flutes demonstrated in this video:
North Bridge Flutes
flutecenter.com/collections/n...
North Bridge Series 700 Intermediate Flute
700 NB-7BEF, Sterling silver handmade McKenna headjoint, Sterling silver body, Silver-plated mechanism, drawn tone holes, French model (open hole keys), Pointed key arms, Pisoni pads, 0.016"/0.40mm tubing thickness, A=442, Offset G, Split E mechanism, C# trill key, B footjoint
North Bridge Series 500 Intermediate Flute
500 NB-5BEF, Sterling silver handmade McKenna headjoint, Silver-plated body and mechanism, drawn tone holes, French model (open hole keys), Pointed key arms, Pisoni pads, 0.016"/0.40mm tubing thickness, Offset G, Split E mechanism, B footjoint
If you're interested in setting up a flute trial, please consider FCNY and tell them I sent you (Code: DrFlute) to get some extras for free.
To start your flute trial, you'll first want to go to flutecenter.com and fill out the form. Here’s the link:
flutecenter.com/pages/trial-form
Then put my code: “DrFlute” in the box labeled “Influencer Code.”
This code gives you these extras with some exceptions:
*3 extra days to try your flute - that’s a 10-day trial instead of only 7 days
*6 extra months of warranty on your new flute - that’s 18 months instead of only 12 months
*Free Shipping of up to three flutes, piccolos, and/or headjoints at a time for trial!
*10% off sheet music
*Free domestic shipping on instrument purchases
Plus, when you purchase a new flute using my code, FCNY will pay me a small commission. Thank you!
Thank you, Flute Center for sponsoring this video.
Silver vs Silver-Plated North Bridge 700 vs 500 Step-Up - Flute Center Sponsored
• Silver vs Silver-Plate...
DoctorFlute.com/downloads
/ doctorflute
Say Hi on Social!
/ doctorflute
/ doctorflute
/ doctorflute
Ask me a question:
www.doctorflute.com/contact
Send me questions about all things flute - get an answer with a video, blog post, FluteTips, podcast, or a personal reply.
How to Choose a New Headjoint For Your Flute - FluteTips 100
• How to Choose a New He...
Comparing 5 Headjoints From Burkart Nagahara & Song Flute & Headjoint Makers
• Comparing 5 Headjoints...
The Difference Gold Makes on a Headjoint - FCNY Sponsored
• The Difference Gold Ma...
Flute Review Haynes Amadeus Model 680 Step Up Flute - FCNY Sponsored
• Flute Review Haynes Am...
Professional Flute Extras - Do You Need Them? FCNY Sponsored
• Professional Flute Ext...
Does Flute Tubing Thickness Matter - FCNY Sponsored
• Does Flute Tubing Thic...
Helping Waverly Choose Her Next Step Up Flute - FCNY Sponsored
• Helping Waverly Choose...
How to Form a Great Flute Embouchure
• How to Form a Great Fl...
3 Levels of Flute Compared Professional vs Beginner and Intermediate
• 3 Levels of Flute Comp...
3 Levels of Haynes Flutes Compared Custom Handmade vs Q Series Semi Pro vs Amadeus Intermediate
• 3 Levels of Haynes Flu...
To LefreQue or Not to LefreQue That is the Question Can You Hear the Difference
• To LefreQue or NOT to ...
5 Things That You Do That Can Ruin Your Flute Tone FluteTips 136
• 5 Things That You Do T...
doctorflute.com/blog
#DoctorFlute #FluteTips #FluteTrial #FluteCenter #NorthBridgeWinds

[@ericbingham-kumpfcomposer5293]

New subscriber here! Your videos are very helpful to those playing the flute, keep up the good work!

[@DoctorFlute]

Welcome aboard! Thank -you!

[@stevem9754]

I can't hear too much difference but I'm listening on a laptop. To be honest if I could play the flute as well as you, I'd be over the moon whichever flute I had! :)

[@DoctorFlute]

Well thanks! It is true that silver plated can be really nice. Silver is just going to respond quicker and more subtly.

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

I stopped trying to teach myself. Early breast cancer & a masectomy took over my life for a while, but now I have been discharged, I will try & get back into it again. It's not easy teaching myself but I will try.

[@DoctorFlute]

I hope you are doing better. There is so much help on the internet these days. Use these videos so that you aren't alone in trying to teach yourself. Let me know what help you need.

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

@DoctorFlute I haven't got back into it yet: I aim to have a tootle today. I think the biggest challenge when trying to teach yourself is breathing & where the note is only changed through breath control, but the fingering is the same.

[@Krinsta1]

I got my current flute for $150 from a pawn shop in Australia. I'm sure they had no idea that it was actually worth $1,500. I got it serviced and I am enjoying playing again.

[@DoctorFlute]

Wow! What a bargain!

[@ultr4vi0l3nce_3]

Silver looks so pretty

[@DoctorFlute]

It really is!

[@scarlettrhettforever]

What do you think of the fingerport -a left hand support for flute?

[@DoctorFlute]

I think they work for some people. I have tried them and I feel they are too bulky for my hands.

[@hartwheeler4591]

The 700 sounded better and I got the impression you enjoyed the 700 more. Have you ever compared sterling vs coin silver?

[@DoctorFlute]

I definitely like the 700 more. The solid silver head and body was great. No I haven't compared coin silver and sterling. I'll look into it.

[@Emkyinshanworldofenthusiasm]

I am considering to upgrade my student flute, Yamaha 472 silver head joint and body cheaper than muramatsu ex which is only silver head joints. Would like to ask is handmade matters or flute material?

[@DoctorFlute]

That is a tough question. Yes, handmade does make a difference. But the only way to know is to do a flute trial and compare both instruments back to back. If you do let me know what you chose.

[@Malawax62]

Very helpful, Doctor. Since both models use a nickel silver mechanism, why do you suppose you felt a difference between the 500 and 700 series?

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you! It might be because of the drawn tone holes compared to the soldered tone holes.

[@Malawax62]

@@DoctorFluteI promise you I’m not trying to be one of those tiresome guys, but both models have drawn tone holes. Still, an interesting question.

[@joemagnets9940]

It should be a BLIND demonstration, where you play but don't mention the name of the flute. Another problem is that the speakers that the computer uses is really not up to par to hear any difference.

[@DoctorFlute]

I have done that with other comparison videos. I think that you can hear some differences.