Which is Better a Silver Flute or a Gold Flute? FCNY Sponsored

The Flute Center of New York sent me a silver flute and a gold flute to test and compare to determine which one is better the silver flute or the gold flute.
Both flutes are professional model Powell flutes that are nearly identical except their silver and gold content (complete descriptions are below).
So, I will play a bit of the Cantabile et Presto, run through some scales, and test the upper and lower registers. All while giving my commentary on what I am hearing.
But I would really like to know what you hear! What do you think about the difference between the silver flute and the gold flute? Which you do you like best?
Have fun!
DoctorFlute
Read my Blog on this topic:
Which is Better a Silver Flute or a Gold Flute?
doctorflute.com/which-is-bett...
Here are links to the flutes demonstrated in this video:
Powell Handmade Custom Flute in Sterling Silver
Sterling silver body and mechanism, Powell pinless mechanism, soldered silver tone holes, silver rings, ribs, and posts, French (open hole) model, pointed key arms, white gold springs, Straubinger pads, .016” standard wall tubing, modern Powell scale, offset G, C# trill, D# roller, B footjoint. Handmade in USA.
flutecenter.com/collections/s...
Verne Q. Powell Sterling Silver Handcut Headjoint - sterling silver (.925) tube, and crown, 14K gold lip plate and riser, .016” standard wall tubing. Venti cut. Handmade in USA.
flutecenter.com/collections/s...
Powell Handmade Custom Flute in 14K Gold
14K rose-gold body with sterling silver mechanism, Powell pinless mechanism, soldered silver tone holes, silver rings, ribs, and posts, French (open hole) model, pointed key arms, white gold springs, Straubinger pads, .012” thin wall tubing, modern Powell scale, offset G, C# trill, D# roller, B footjoint. Handmade in USA.
flutecenter.com/collections/s...
Verne Q. Powell 14K Rose Gold Handcut Headjoint - 14K rose gold tube, lip plate, riser, and crown. Lumina cut. Handmade in USA.
flutecenter.com/collections/s...
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 of New York, for sponsoring this video.
Which is Better a Silver Flute or a Gold Flute? FCNY Sponsored
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 #FluteTips #FluteTrial #WeAreVQPowell #WeArePowell
• Which is Better a Silv...

[@Jenifer.flute20]

I recently upgraded from my Azumi AZ3 to the Miyazawa 602 which is 958 silver with plated keys, and I chose a 14k riser and it is magnificent. The denser silver gives a rich warm sound and the gold riser makes the articulation so crisp and defined.

[@DoctorFlute]

Oolala! I would probably love that flute too! It sounds luscious.

[@robertparkerpiano]

Thanks for sharing. In my dreams, I would have an instrument to match either of those. I'm liking the tone of the gold. I had an old Haynes ripped off and I'm shopping. I'm a novice, so no I don't NEED the gold. If I can't find anything local I like here in San Diego, I'll look towards the NY vendor you mentioned. Both are beautiful. I probably would never leave the house if I mortgaged the house and grabbed the gold.

[@DoctorFlute]

Ha! Gold is great if you have the money but entirely not necessary. You can find a perfect flute for you that is silver and maybe with a gold riser. Keep looking and trying flute. Happy Hunting!

[@yvonneburdine670]

Good video, objectively done! I agree with your statement that the gold lip plate/riser/crown are beneficial to tone production. All three are rose gold on my Altus headpiece and the sound is glorious! Also, the embouchure hole is Z cut, love it!

[@DoctorFlute]

That sounds like a lovely flute!

[@BrentCraig7]

I like the sounds of both the silver and gold flutes. Thank you for doing the comparison. I have been thinking of trying the Venti cut as you demonstrated on both. I have the Powell Sonare 705. I like the sound okay. I would like to try it with Straubinger pads instead of the Pisoni pads which came with it. I'd also like to try the difference using a gold crown versus the silver one which came with it.

[@DoctorFlute]

Yes I would like to try a flute with the different pads too. I'll see what I can do for a video demonstrating the difference. I've tried to make a video on the difference in crowns but they I think the only way you do that is to actually be in the store.

[@scootermacarthy5990]

I don't believe this was a fair test of silver vs gold. For starters, to test silver you need silver parts in the head joint. Having gold parts in the head helps to some degree so all parts should be silver. The response will be different when comparing these two metals. In a serious test a player should test the response of the high and low notes. Can you play loud and soft with ease? How about articulation; is it clean or muddy? Does the flute respond right away or some delay? Can you push on the head to get it sing and project? A good player can make a flute sound good but resistance and resonance are critical features that are extremely important. A free-blowing flute has little resistance so it can make playing it softly very difficult. Gold has much more density than silver so the difference can be significant for some players. Also, we don't use the term walled it's wall: high wall, low wall, thin wall and heavy wall. Also, open hole and closed hole, never use holed with flutes. I play on gold and silver flutes gold being my favorite as it is cleaner sounding and richer in tone quality. It was rather difficult to hear significant differences in these flutes on computer speakers. I have noticed that orchestral flutists play on gold flutes in general. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas and allow my point of view to share. I hope you find this info helpful.

[@DoctorFlute]

Sure, all opinions welcome. I don’t disagree with some of your ideas but I think to include all of what you are bringing up would make this a much longer video. I do try to keep these on the shorter side and just give a taste of the topic rather than an in depth comparison.

[@ecksdee2274]

Can you make a video or two talking about staccato notes? They can be tricky, especially in the lower register below F or middle register G-D.

[@DoctorFlute]

I think that is a great idea. Look for one in the coming months.

[@hamb4945]

I'd like to know when you get a platinum headjoint to demo. I heard My Lipay play a Burkart platinum flute. on YT. I loved the sound, but that was a concert.

[@DoctorFlute]

Sure, I'll demo a platinum head joint. I have done a couple with platinum risers and I really like them.

[@andrewquirey7364]

Hard to say two lovely flutes. Played a gold flute at a trade stand and was nearly blowen away with it great job.

[@DoctorFlute]

Gold is so lovely but it does come down to preference ( and money!).

[@m.r.reeceabob8480]

Personally, I think the silver sounded just a little better. I think it just sounded a little more like a flute than the gold did. I would like to hear about what you think about mixes of the two materials. As you know, gold is usually much more expensive than silver, but mixes will attempt to have characteristics of gold while still keeping the price relatively cheap. I wonder if these are legit or if it would just be better to save up extra money for a gold flute (if you're going for that). Powell has the aurumite/ruby aurumite and Haynes has the fusion interior/exterior. I'm curious as to how these compare to silver and gold flutes, and there are not too many videos or reviews about these I can find. I'm also curious if gold tone holes, rings, posts and ribs actually contribute any noticeable amount to the tone or if they're mainly there for the looks. Anyways, this was a nice video and I enjoyed it a lot, thanks!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks M.R.! I think some of the fusion flutes are really nice. If I could, I would buy the Haynes 5% gold. It is a really fantastic flute with a sound that is incredible. I haven't tried some of the other fusion flutes but I'll definitely put this on the list of things to partner with flute center.

[@Thedreadedflutist]

You should do a review on the Muramatsu PTP I just bought mine 😊

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Adrian! Cool, I'll look into it!

[@jocelynchou2466]

Thanks for the nice video and I feel that you have much more experiences playing sliver flute than Gold.

[@DoctorFlute]

That is true but why do you think so?

[@robertzsombok7661]

Dear Angela, I just wanted to share in my happiness over my new flute from Muramatsu. Its 18k soldered, with 9k mechanism. What can I say.. every single moment I spend playing it is pure joy. Even owning such an instrument is for me mind boggling. Everyday I look forward to getting to play, practice and discover the possibilities. I worked my @ss off to be able to realise it. Now its worth every moment of sacrifice❤ Comparing this 18k insttument with my handmade silver flute.. its just in another league.

[@DoctorFlute]

That sounds so beautiful! How exciting for you!

[@Xingqiwu387]

Excellent review with lots of very valuable information. I definitely prefer the silver version. Nothing beats a Powell.....THE BEST flutes in the world.

[@DoctorFlute]

Silver has such a fantastic vibrant sound!

[@dcallan812]

I love my silver flute and haven't tried gold. To me I think the silver is darker, more my style. (But over youtube its difficult) Great video 2x👍 I would like to try the new flute Sir James Galway was playing, an alto flute in gold❗

[@DoctorFlute]

I know I saw that video with Galway. It looks like a fantastic instrument. I too would not buy an all gold flute but I like a little gold such as the riser (which is what I have) or the lip plate. To me that gives me a little bit more. But silver is so classic.

[@dcallan812]

@@DoctorFlute Yes his flute is very special. Im just cheep, so silver for me. No I really like the feel and tone. I even went to a lower % silver its 900 not the normal 925

[@2bonk22]

I have an old Haynes heavy walled which I really like but the warm sound of that gold Powel has me wishing I could afford one. (They ain't cheap)

[@DoctorFlute]

I bet your heavy walled Haynes is totally worth not upgrading. Sounds wonderful.

[@johnkotches8320]

I preferred the "silver" flute as a bit darker which is what I prefer sound wise. It looks like the "silver" flute has a gold embochure plate. Is that correct?

[@DoctorFlute]

Yes, it had a gold lip plate and riser. I like a little bit of gold such as the riser just not the entire flute.

[@johnkotches8320]

@@DoctorFlute I thought so but as wonderfully reflective as silver is I wasn’t sure.

[@maxrkmrose]

You make both flutes sound excellent and could make a plastic flute sound profesh. The venti cut headjoint seems to be louder to me. It would have been very good if you had the venti cut headjoint for the 14K flute, too, to make the comparison more scientific. I think that silver, gold, or platinum - it's all preference to what jewelry one wants to play on and can afford. My spouse wants a gold flute of course, who wouldn't, but I am in agreement that the silver is just fine. I think what you noted about Galway's test is enough evidence to me that material is just preference of the player and not a deciding factor in overall sound. As flutists we all know what makes the largest quality differences across flutes: workmanship, scale design, headjoint cut, method of manufacture, place of manufacture, pad type, and mechanism type. It was nice to hear that gold flute, but I think we like you are going to stick with our silver Powell Conservatories. Now if someone gives me a gold flute ...

[@DoctorFlute]

Totally agree. If that gold flute fell into my lap I think I would love it!

[@mauricepark]

Listening to both flutes (Silver and Gold) differs a lot in color and brightness. Much more on the gold flute on the high notes and a warmer woodier sound, maybe less crisp and bright but more dark and bold sound. Needs more power in the high notes, and less smooth sound compared to the silver flute. More challenging to play on a gold flute in higher registers and need to change the embouchure opening and pressure feeling. It is easier to play on a silver flute for quick responsiveness but in the long run, gold might give more power and fun to play any kind of flute pieces from baroque to contemporary pieces. Would recommend playing a gold flute for advanced players because of the level of resistance.

[@DoctorFlute]

Yes, I agree. Silver is said to have more color options. What do you think about that?

[@sophie1598]

What is the excerpt you played at the beginning of the video called?

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Sophie, that was Enesco's Cantabile et Presto.

[@sophie1598]

@@DoctorFlute Your playing was so beautiful! Thanks

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you so much!

[@user-dh7sl3kn5g]

Silver!

[@DoctorFlute]

I'm guessing you like that fantastic cool silver sound!

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

Gold is a tougher material. I think budget is the key reason people might buy silver...

[@DoctorFlute]

Absolutely on both accounts!