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 played a bit of the Cantabile et Presto, ran through some scales, and tested the upper and lower registers. All while giving my commentary on what I heard from each flute.
But I would love it if you would listen closely to my video and let me know what you hear! What do you think about the difference between the silver flute and the gold flute? Do you agree with my analysis? Which flute you do you like best?
Silver Flute Test
So, I started my comparison with the silver flute. For “full disclosure” I own a professional model solid silver Haynes flute. I may be biased in that I am used to playing on silver. So, silver feels very comfortable to me.
Silver’s Low Register
Now, I think that this Powell flute is a really gorgeous instrument. The low register is just gorgeous and it’s really popping out very easily. Now, sometimes that has to do with how this headjoint is cut and there are different cuts for the embouchure hole and the angle of the strike edge here. But that being said, I am still trying to compare similar to similar and it’s really gorgeous.
Now, normally I think of silver as being a brighter sound, but I feel like this has a little bit of a darkness to it. The tubing is that standard walled (0.16”) on this instrument. So that is the middle. It’s not the thin walled, it’s not the heavy walled. But I still feel like there’s a little bit of a darker sound to it.
However, even though it is darker, it is still nice and big. It has a really big sound.
Silver’s Third Octave
The high C popped out pretty easily! But I think it would take a little bit of me working with this headjoint, particularly to work on that third octave. But those high notes really popped out very quickly.
Gold Flute Test
The gold flute has a very different sound! Part of this might be that the headjoint has a different cut. But this would only be a small part of it.
I usually think of gold as a darker sound and the silver as the brighter. But I think in comparing these two, I think this gold flute has a little bit of a brighter sound.
But that being said, it really has a lot of edge to it. If you’re playing a lot of 20th and 21st first century music, gold might be what you are looking to play on.
Gold’s Low Register
While I thought that the low notes really popped out very easily on the silver flute, I think they come out even easier on this gold instrument.
Gold’s Third Octave
Wow the gold third octave has really quite a different sound. I think that the sound up there in that third octave is a little bit more brilliant. I thought there was a lot of power on the silver. But I feel like I’ve got quite a bit of power on this. But the sound is so very, very different.
Playing Loudly
I think maybe the volume is the same as far as what I can achieve on a forte or double forte level. But you know something that’s interesting is I feel like I have more control on the silver one and that with the gold flute I have less control. Maybe that’s not true, but that’s what I’m feeling. That with the silver flute I can contain it.
Almost like your personalities that the Gold Flute has the outgoing personality of that person that’s the life of the party. And this silver one is the quiet, reserved person. But they might be quiet and reserved, but they have a lot to say. There’s something inside that’s really wanting to come out and you have to pull it out. And I feel that way with the silver flute.
Which is Better?
Now I have played on this particular flute with a different headjoint, and it sounded quite a bit different. And I will compare maybe that on a different video. So, it does make a difference the headjoint you have. So, if you are really sold on the power and the color that a gold flute can give you, you should really experiment with the headjoints. And if you’re sold on the silver flute, experiment with silver headjoints and maybe add a little bit of gold because I think having a gold headjoint, having a gold lip plate or even just the gold riser can give you a little bit of that gold feeling on a silver flute. It might be the right balance for you.
So, if we go back to comparing these two and ask, which is better. You know what? I think that’s for you to decide. There is no better. But I think maybe I might prefer the silver actually than the gold.
But they are gorgeous no matter what. So, if your choice is to say that gold sound, that’s me, then go for it. If you have the funds to buy that, because you know it’s quite a bit different in price range from a silver flute to a gold flute. And if that’s what you’re saving for, then go for it. This is for you.
If you like that more controlled sound and one that maybe you need to work a little bit, that’s the silver flute. This one is then for you. I think that there’s more possibilities, at least for me. There are more possibilities on the silver than there are on the gold. I feel like once I start playing that, that that’s my sound and I may not be able to get a lot of different colors on that.
It might take time and I know plenty of people that play on gold, and they get lots of colors. But that has been a criticism of gold is that you don’t have as many color changes. But probably today with the way that they can make the different headjoints and the different cuts of the embouchure hole, that there’s a lot more available to you.
So, you want to try with a bunch of different headjoints and see which one is for you. For me, I think I would stay with silver even if I could have, you know, any flute in the world that I wished for. I think I’m a silver person. So, I would probably stay with it, although I like adding gold to the lip plate and the riser. So, I think that that would add what I’m looking for.
So, you tell me in the comments. Take a listen to these two and compare what you hear and see what you like best. Let me know which one you prefer that I play.
Have fun!
Doctor Flute
Watch me play and compare these 2 flutes:
Which is Better a Silver Flute or a Gold Flute? FCNY Sponsored
Here are the flutes demonstrated in this video:
If you follow these links to The Flute Center of NY, tell them I sent you by putting my code: “DrFlute” in the box labeled “Influencer Code.”
Thanks!
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.
https://flutecenter.com/collections/shop-by-brand/products/powell-custom-silv
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.
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.
https://flutecenter.com/collections/shop-by-brand/products/powell-custom-14ksk
Verne Q. Powell 14K Rose Gold Handcut Headjoint – 14K rose gold tube, lip plate, riser, and crown. Lumina cut. Handmade in USA.
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:
https://flutecenter.com/pages/trial-form
Then put my code: “DrFlute” in the box labeled “Influencer Code.”
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Thank you, Flute Center of New York, for sponsoring this video.
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