In July '06 I decided to try a new concert flute. Why a new concert flute - especially when I already have a nice one? First, because I want a flute with a better scale for improved intonation. Second, because I am looking for a flute with less edge and projection for a softer, rounder sound that blends better with other instruments.

I've played a Gemeinhardt 3SB for the past 15 years, so I know this flute well. After some research I decided to try a Jupter 711 RBSO. I got one on trial from WWBW. Retail is around $1900; I got mine in used mint condition for $900. It is open holed, sterling silver 0.925 head, body & foot, B foot, offset G, Cooper scale.

Ergonomics: The Jupiter wins due to the offset G. Even though I have big hands and have played inline for 15+ years, it took all of 2 minutes for me to like the offset better. Other than this, ergos are the same.

Keywork: comparable. Both have top quality keywork - smooth, fast and silent. The 711 feels slightly smoother, likely due to its being virtually new.

Tone: VERY similar. My wife didn't even notice that I got a new flute. 711 is slightly less projecting and more rounded with less edge - a sweeter sound. This is exactly what I was looking for. In contrast, the 33SB tone is better below low F (though flat there) because its extra edge to the tone helps down there. I can also get bigger dynamic contrasts with the 711 - and I'm not even used to its headjoint yet! Many flutists would prefer the tone of the 3SB due to its more edgy resistant sound.

Voice: Both flutes have consistent voicing throughout the entire range. I would even say that both have professional quality voicing.

Facility/Response: 711 is easier to blow. The 3SB is "stiffer" - very difficult for example to blow the "G" and "E" overtones while fingering low C. The 711 instantly responds to all overtones, slurs high E to high A no problem. It's so sinfully easy to play it almost makes me feel guilty. With the 711 I am cruising through Anderson, Berbiguer and Reichert like never before. But the 3SB has a more responsive bottom octave. I can get a strong bass out of the 711 but it requires an extreme embouchure that stresses my jaw.

Intonation: 711 wins hands down - no contest. The 3SB uses old scale: E and F are flat, D is sharp, everything below low F is flat, C# is sharp, high E and F# are sharp, etc. all the typical old scale problems. The 711 uses a Cooper scale. From bottom B to high C, over 3+ octaves of range almost every note is within a few cents of dead-on. The only exceptions are middle C# is a bit sharp and highest Bb is a bit flat. This is typical of many flutes, though I expected a Cooper scale flute to be better. Nonetheless, it is fabulous to just blow the flute and have it come out in tune without having to monkey the pitch of each individual note.

Fit, Finish & Build Quality: Both are beautiful instruments having a high quality finish with no blemishes, nicks, etc. Tube straightness, tone holes, fit & finish, etc. both have the same very high quality. The Jupiter did not come with a cleaning rod. Both have french style inner cases with a surrounding zipper bag.

Other comments:

Summary:
Jupiter 711:
Good Stuff:
Scale, response, ergos and round, sweet tone quality.
Bad Stuff:
The bass is weaker and requires an extreme embouchure.

Gemeinhardt 3SB
Good Stuff:
Powerful, projecting sound and fat bottom octave good for solo playing.

Bad Stuff:
Old scale - poor intonation.
Inline G - slightly inferior ergonomics.
Stiffer response.

Overall:

The bottom line: The Jupiter 711 blows me away. I've played a lot of different flutes over the years, some costing more than ten times what I paid for the 711. It's not perfect but a definite improvement over the 3SB especially for the money.