Thomann FL-200R Flute Open Holes

Onlangs zag ik een collega saxofonist met een Thomann fluit. Voor de ? 149,- die deze FL-200 moet kosten vond ik dat al een prima instrument. Toen ik op de site zag ik dat je voor hetzelfde geld de TL-200R (een fluit met open kleppen) kan krijgen heb ik die meteen besteld. Qua geluid is 'ie uiteraard 'dunner' (helderder, scherper zou je ook kunnen zeggen) dan mijn zilveren Armstrong maar voor ? 149,- geef ik 'm toch 5 sterren. Ik denk er een heel goede backup fluit aan te hebben.

Speelt hartstikke lekker, spreekt fantastisch goed aan, de zuiverheid is prima. Mechanisch ziet het er allemaal goed uit. Ik heb geen idee hoe hij zich gaat houden op langere termijn en of 'ie goed te repareren is indien nodig. De fluit staat vooralsnog in ieder geval op voorsprong.

Puntje van kritiek; de koffer is niet echt degelijk. Bovendien hebben kopstuk en staartstuk te veel ruimte. Dat valt op te vangen met 2 poetsdoeken o.i.d. maar verdient geen schoonheidsprijs.

Een poetsdoek zit er trouwens bij, evenals een stokje om een zakdoek o.i.d. aan te maken. Een potje vet en een setje dopjes om de open kleppen te veranderen in dichte kleppen completeren het geheel.

First, the flute comes extremely well packaged - no chance of any damage. Once the packaging is off, the flute is safely in its hard case - this in itself would cost quite a bit of money bought separately. A cleaning cloth and stick are also included.
The flute itself is well made, feeling like a high-end amateur instrument rather than a mass-produced item from China or somewhere. It has quite a decent tone for the price - though that depends also on the player, of course! In all, a very good deal for the beginner. The extended warranty is a real bonus, and Thomann's reputation for great service is worth a large additional amount of money.

Here is my review of my Thomann FL-200R Flute, after a short time of playing on it, which was quite insightful:
I acquired it so as to have a second flute,
also suitable as a backup instrument.
The Thomann FL-200R Flute is really of outstanding quality, unbelievable, even more if we consider its so low price, is a true gift to musicians, being very affordable/accessible, allowing them to acquire it so as to study the flute, especially beginners, but even more advanced.
Well then, my FL-200R model is worthy.
It is wonderful, its feel in general.
It has a nice, pleasant sound quality, slightly different from my first, much more expensive,
solid silver headjoint and body flute.
The keys feel/fit naturally under the fingers, and work noiselessly, are responsive.
Overall it is very well in tune.
I can easily reach the high notes of the register, up to high do’’’’ and do#’’’’ and re’’’’, i.e. I can blow a range of complete 3 octaves and
more, but beyond that I cannot reach the very high notes of the register, up to high sol’’’’, which, regardless/on any flute, are already very difficult, and maybe generally impractical. Might reach them with time.
It seems probable that I am to blame, as "Repetitio est mater studiorum/repetition is the mother of studies", the solution is repeat/study, and repeat/study, regularly, persistently, till you get it the way should be…
I cannot always easily play loud & clear enough the very low two-three
notes of the register, which, regardless/on any flute, are already somewhat difficult, in terms of proper blowing angle and of proper finger pressure for tightly closing the holes.
Yet, of course, it is a matter of intensive, frequent practise. The more you study, the easier it becomes.
Its sound is quite inspiring for an aspiring flautist, overall it is a most commendable instrument, very attractive at such an affordable price, making it a major advance & incentive for making headway flautists, and for music per se.
On faults:
An eminent flute technician checked the rod mark inside the embouchure hole, and had to do a minor adjustment to the headjoint cork and disk assembly, as the rod mark, being more towards the left, was not centered at the embouchure hole, this being highly important in the intonation of the sound. Also checked the airtightness, with a special device, and told me it was not perfect, this being a matter of proper key pads service later.