Altus Japanese Handmade A10 Flute

Description

Altus A10 Flute

Model: A10
Series: Standard Series

Launched in 1997, the Altus A10 Flute stands out with its sterling silver body, providing musicians with rich tonal colors and a remarkable variety of sound. This flute is designed to cater to both aspiring and experienced players, ensuring a versatile playing experience.

Key Features

• Materials:
  • Lip Plate, Riser, Headjoint, Body, and Footjoint: Crafted from sterling silver, which contributes to the flute’s warm and resonant tone.
  • Mechanism: Made of nickel silver with a silver plating for durability and aesthetic appeal.
  • Tone Holes: Drawn tone holes enhance sound clarity and projection.
• Design Features:
  • B Footjoint: Extends the range and facilitates playing lower notes.
  • French Pointed-Arm Keys: Enhances mechanical precision and contributes to a refined aesthetic.
  • Split-E Mechanism: Allows for easier and more accurate playing of the high E note.
  • Offset G: Provides ergonomic benefits for comfortable hand positioning.
  • Open Holes: Offers greater tonal flexibility and facilitates advanced techniques.

Material Selection

Altus flutes are available in a variety of high-quality silver options, allowing players to select a flute that aligns with their personal style:

1. Sterling Silver (925): The most common flute material, containing 92.5% silver.
2. Britannia Silver (958): Higher silver content (95.8%) for a richer sound.
3. Ag997 Pure Silver: Contains 99.7% silver, processed using advanced powder metallurgy techniques for superior quality.
4. Altus Silver (946): A unique blend designed to emulate the tonal qualities of vintage French flutes, containing 94.6% silver.

Each material possesses different characteristics—density, hardness, and ductility—affecting the flute-making process and resulting in diverse tonal qualities.

Tubing & Metallurgy

The construction methods employed for the A10 enhance its performance capabilities:

• Seamed Tube Method: Inspired by traditional French flute makers, this technique involves rolling, shaping, and soldering a single sheet of metal. Compared to ordinary drawn tubing, this method is more labor-intensive and allows for a unique molecular arrangement that improves sound quality over time.
• Powder Metallurgy: This innovative approach to producing high-purity silver flutes overcomes traditional material limitations, enhancing both durability and sound projection.

Altus Scale

The A10 features the renowned Altus Scale, developed in collaboration with flutist William Bennett:

• Tonal Excellence: The scale ensures precise intonation, well-balanced registers, and finely tuned harmonics. The soldered C# tone hole is a standard feature, vital for optimal note production and venting.
• Ideal Conditions: The scale’s effectiveness assumes specific parameters, including a headjoint draw of 5mm and a temperature range of 21-23 degrees Celsius.

Key Mechanism

The A10’s key mechanism is designed for precision and smooth operation:

• Innovative Design: Utilizing a tapered convex and conical concave structure for the king post, this design promotes efficient key action while ensuring durability.

Soldered Tone Holes

For long-lasting performance, Altus employs gold solder for its tone holes:

• Durability: Gold solder maintains structural integrity over time, minimizing the risk of gaps that can compromise sound quality.

Posts and Ribs

The design of posts and ribs significantly impacts sound production:

• Wide Rib Construction: Altus flutes feature wide ribs that touch the sides of the tone holes, reducing unwanted vibrations and enhancing tonal clarity.

Key Pipes

Constructed from high-purity silver using powder metallurgy, the key pipes of the A10 ensure:

• Increased Durability: The strong, less prone to twisting material contributes to a more reliable mechanism and longer instrument lifespan.

Altus Craftsmanship

With over 30 years of experience, Altus has been dedicated to handcrafting flutes that combine vintage inspiration with modern technology. Master Flute Maker Shuichi Tanaka’s passion for excellence is evident in every flute, which reflects meticulous design, artistry, and superior sound quality.

Standard Series Features

The Standard Series, including the A10, strikes an exceptional balance between performance, quality, and affordability. Key features include:

• Handmade Silver-Plated Mechanisms: Known for their strength and durability without sacrificing fluidity.
• Extruded Body Tubes: Standard thickness with drawn tone holes and the Altus-Bennett scale for optimized sound.
• Additional Components: Stainless steel springs, French-pointed keys, and a gizmo key enhance functionality.
• Carrying Case: Each flute is provided with a French-style leatherette case with a fleece-lined interior and shoulder strap for protection and portability.

Altus Product Catalogue