Hello. I (and others) have asked this or similar questions before. I’ve even gone through this process once and purchased a flute. However, I now find myself fluteless again and have $400 to throw at the problem.
I’ve never tried a Hoza flute, but that’s the direction I’m leaning in at the moment.
I have tried Casey Burns’ flutes (folk and one in Blackwood). The folk flute was fine, the Blackwood was really nice (if a little heavy). I’m not sure I want to go back to a folk flute if there’s something a little better for a bit more money. I don’t have enough right now to get one of his standard flutes, even without slide/rings.
I might be able to come up with enough for one of the all wood Copley flutes, but I can’t decide if it’s worth the trouble it would be to scrape together an additional $100 or so. If I thought it would be significantly better than one of the Hoza flutes, I’d probably do it (however that also get’s close to the Doyle pricerange and they seem to get the best reviews in that price range).
I’m making an assumption that a Hoza flute is noticeably better than a Burns folk flute…not sure if that’s a correct assumption.
I have to say that I was dissappointed in my Hoza flute. It had to be sent out to make it work and be in tune. It was an older model if that makes and difference. Add the extra bucks and go for the Copley - you won’t go wrong there. I first had his D keyless with slide then asked him to make me a slideless head - I love it!!!
Your best bet will probably be a used item. I was lucky enough to find a Jon C Pratten-style in Delrin for under $400. And if the seller is a regular here, you’re on pretty safe ground.
I had an opposite experience with a more recent Hoza F, it was very nice and I doubt you would be dissappointed. I sold the Flute as I wanted an Eb, I ended up going with a Copley and if you can; I would reccommend that over the Hoza.
It seems like the safest bets are in the $500-range. That would get you M&E wood, Copley all-wood, Burns all-wood, Doyle, etc.
Anyone know how much Jon C charges these days? He’s a safe bet for a truly outstanding flute as well.
I would recomend you take the time to save up that extra $100. It’s not that much more money, but you’ll get lots more choices. Hoza seems to be getting mixed reviews obviously. Why not go for a safe bet? AT least as long as you can’t try the flute before you buy it.
I recently had a Hoza come through (my first) and was really impressed.
It had great tone and really good volume. Just a terrific flute and fantastic bang for the buck. It was a large hole flute and had ergonomic fingering which was very nice (I don’t always like ergonomic fingering as I have longish fingers).
Anyway, don’t think you could go wrong there, nor with the others so far mentioned for that matter.
!!! Good one!