Pre-Owned Altus PS-RBE A445Hz Flute

Manufacturer's Description

The Altus professional soldered tone hole models offer a bel canto style of sound characteristic that is purely homogenous throughout the entire range of sound. This is accomplished through a precise focus on the ideal aspects of a flute crafted by an artist for artists. The Altus PS (1707) is constructed with Altus's unique 99.7% 'High Purity' material, giving this flute remarkable projection capability while retaining a smooth and even tone colour.

Our Description

Handmade in sintered silver which is incredibly (99.7%) pure, the PS has wonderful clarity of sound, with superb projection, flexibility and control over every nuance and subtlety that a player needs. A remarkable flute.

Technical Notes

Higher purity silver alloys are becoming more popular among flute makers for their acoustic characteristics. Sterling or .925 silver (92.5% pure) has traditionally been the standard, but recently, we have seen examples using Britannia silver (95.8%) and other finer alloys. Altus are, at present, the only flute maker using .997 (99.7%) silver in their flute tubes, as is the case here with their PS series.

While flutes tuned to be played at the A=440Hz standard are tuned to play at 442Hz while fully pushed in, this flute is pitched at 445Hz to facilitate German higher pitched tuning standards (The Berlin Philharmonic used to play at 44Hz before flattening slightly to 443Hz). Those playing in 440Hz will then notice that the flute naturally plays a fair bit higher than most, but this can be simply tempered both by pulling out at the headjoint and with active tuning at the lips. This is helped too by Altus' use of the "WIBB" scale, devised by the late great Sir William Bennett in his relentless pursuit for better flute tuning (you can read more about this scale in this excellent article on our blog by Eldred Spell) 

The result of this tuning and the silver alloy is an exceptionally responsive flute, with a clear, bright, and flexible sound. 

This flute used to belong to Michael Cox, much-loved principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Academy of St Martins in the Fields.

About Altus

Altus flutes are held in the very highest esteem by professional players and technicians the world over. Founded by master flute maker Shuichi Tanaka, each Altus flute reflects his passion to produce the finest playing flutes available.

Altus models offer discerning flautists a choice of harmonically tuned and elegant sounding instruments capable of consistently executing technical passages with ease. The many possible combinations of options enable the player to exact a wide range of tone colours.

At the leading edge of contemporary flute making, Altus have developed and introduced density-sensitive materials to the flute market, including .958 Britannia. All Altus flutes come as standard with the accurate William Bennett (WIBB) scale, a responsive and durable mechanism, and a precisely hand-cut headjoint, customised for each flute. Altus flutes appeal to the player who has a classical approach to tone and wants a unique flute that is different from conventional offerings.

Specifications

What's Included

• Leather-bound wood case
• Inner cleaning gauze
• Cleaning rod 

Item Details