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Altus Flutes

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Altus (al-tus) = (Latin) The highest in development, point of culmination, grown, great, high, noble, high born, of high character, to have high aims, to look deep,; ëAltus of timeí - reaching far back, ancient; ëAltus of heightí - high heaven; ëAltus of the seaí - the deep sea. Related to the latin root - alu, alere, alui, altum - to nourish, to support, to strengthen, to increase, to make grow, to promote and advance.

President of the Altus Co., Ltd., Mr. Shuichi Tanaka is admired throughout the world for his fine talents as a flutemaker. A man who is as unique as his flutes, he is abundantly knowledgeable and diverse as an artist, flutist-musician, engineer, businessman, and most notably as a master flutemaker.

Initially, Mr. Tanaka began his serious flute studies at 16 years of age under the tutelage of the renowned Japanese teacher and performer Toshui Takohashi. During his studies with Mr. Takohashi, he developed a sincere interest into the characteristics and technical aspects of flutes and was soon referred by his teacher to the Muramatsu Manufacturing, Inc. where he began at 20 years of age to learn the art of flutemaking. Already an accomplished flutist, it seemed only natural that his innate talents would lead his skills and interests towards the sculpting of headjoints in addition to the art of flutemaking. (Today, he is now considered one of the most famous headjoint sculptors and is widely acclaimed as one of the world's most respected flutemakers). 
After several years with the Muramatsu flutemakers, he accepted a position with Miyazawa Flutes, where he was responsible for notable improvements that would set the directional course for that company for the next two years.

With his acquired knowledge as an experienced flutist and musician, Mr. Tanaka had a keen insight into the needs of flutists with regards to their instruments. With his flutemaking skills and knowledge continuously rising to higher levels, he began to have a strong desire to become an independent flutemaker and develop an instrument based upon his own instincts. 

He was most inspired by the best qualities and unique characteristics of some of the older and traditional fine flutes - ex. Louis Lot Flutes; and sought to develop a similarly inspiring modern flute that would offer a complimentary range of tone colors, with ample capacity for resonance, accurate intonation, and mechanical strength. It was around this time that he was introduced to the world class flutist, William Bennett (1977). As the two men had very much in common with regards to their interest in music, flutes, and flutemaking, as well as the antique and vintage flutes of the past, their friendship grew into a mutual collaboration. Mr. Tanaka found William Bennett to be a very inspiring influence and sought to develop a flute based on many of William Bennett's recommendations. Here lie the true beginnings of the ALTUS flute.

In 1990, ALTUS Co., Ltd. - the Japan factory, was opened (also designed by Mr. Tanaka) with newly recruited technical support and quality trained staff. Located in the historic and ancient alps of Japan, near Matsumoto, lies the resort city of Azumino - where Altus Co. Ltd. manufactures its artist quality flutes.

Continually striving to innovate, yet honoring the best qualities of the previous and notable flutemakers, Altus is a unique company, founded on the friendships and collaborations between the inventive and multi-talented Shuichi Tanaka, Wu Hsieh - a patron and friend of music (K.H.S. Musix, parent company of Jupiter Band Instruments), and one of the greatest performers of our time, William Bennett. Presently, Altus is the result of over thirty (30) years experience in music, research and flutemaking.

All Altus Flutes are Handmade and feature the Altus/Bennett scale, and French pointed arm keys as well as your choice of the Classic or Z Cut headjoint.  Each flute includes a case, case cover, cleaning rod and cleaning cloth.

Classic Headjoint - This headjoint provides vibrant warmth with excellent projection.
The pure tonal center allows for great flexibility within an infinite color palate. 

Z Cut Headjoint - With a more rectangular embouchure hole, this headjoint is free blowing and responsive without sacrificing control. 

 




NICKEL SILVER
Also known as German Silver, it consists of copper, nickel, and zinc and has been used in flutemaking for over 100 years. This strong and durable material is not only corrosion resistant, but also lighter in weight. Its lighter density and brighter timbral color have benefited the ease of response on the Alto and Bass flutes as well as the 807 and 907 Soprano models.

.958 BRITANNIA SILVER
For over ten years now, Altus has led the industry with the highest silver content by using this very unique alloy. Consisting of .958 parts silver, this silver white alloy differs from Sterling Silver in that it contains several hardening elements. Historically, silversmiths long ago used this alloy of pewter-like density for domestic utensils. Altus Flutes has created its own .958 alloy and has discovered a precious metal that offers a sound quality reminiscent of the early French flutemakers. Because the alloy has an increased density, a darker and richer palette is achieved without the use of a greater wall thickness. Altus strives to retain some of the sweetness of the lighter flute, but with a deep resonance without being overly dark. The most noticeable characteristic is the degree of resonance and overtone sensitivity without being too bright.

.925 STERLING SILVER
Consisting of 925 parts silver, it is strengthened with a unique blend of other trace elements to add hardness as well as character to the overall sound. Altus Sterling Silver mechanism provides excellent tonal properties and enhanced projection.

Altus Flutes

Model 807 - The elite Altus 807 is an elegant and durable flute. It offers the same professional scale and ample projection of Altus Co., Ltd.'s higher models without the added expense. The quality of craftsmanship and the far-reaching sound will impress any woodwind specialist or student.
• Hand crafted silver plated nickel silver flute
• Hand carved .925 Sterling Silver lip plate and riser
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• Stainless Steel springs
• French open holes
• Special soldered C# tone hole for tonal enhancement

$2,995

Open hole,
 B foot

In line or offset G

Model 907 - The Altus 907, one of our most popular upgrades for the more learned flutist, is enhanced with a professional style .958 Britannia Silver headjoint, an acutely accurate scale, and precisely tuned harmonics. Full of colorful overtones, this flute enables the developing flutist the opportunity to explore and develop their tone and musical expression.
• Hand carved .958 Britannia Silver headjoint
• Silver plated nickel silver body and mechanism
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• Stainless Steel Springs
• French open holes
• Special soldered C# tone hole for tonal enhancement

$4,150

Open hole,
  B foot

In line or offset G

Model 1107 - The 1107 provides a strong tone with darker colors than its lower counterparts. Perfectly rich in tone and precisely crafted, this model is designed to handle the demands of the aspiring and talented flutist. The 1107 and 1007 models are favored by advanced students, woodwind doublers, and teachers alike.
• .958 Britannia Silver flute
• Silver plated nickel silver mechanism
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• Stainless Steel Springs
• French open holes
• Special soldered C# tone hole
for tonal enhancement

$6,495

Open hole,
  B foot

In line or offset G

Model 1307 - Altus drawn tone hole professional models provide similar tonal properties when compared to the soldered tone hole models of identical material, but with a lesser expense. Easy to play, these models are attractive to flutists who prefer lighter-weight flutes with less resistance. The quality of scale, headjoint, and mechanism is consistent with the higher priced soldered tone hole models.
• .958 Britannia Silver flute
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• .997 Pure Silver posts 
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• SP-1 Springs
• French open holes
• Special soldered C# tone hole for tonal enhancement
• Available in Heavy Wall

$8,900

Open hole,
 B foot,
D# roller

In line or offset G

Model 1507 - The Altus 1507 is elegantly crafted to meet the performance requirements of the accomplished flutist. The first in our current line of soldered tone hole models, it enhances the drawn tone hole 1307 design with increased overtones due to the additional feature of soldered tone holes. Less resistant than the 1607, this professional Britannia model offers bright and dark tone characteristics with an ease of dynamic control and projection for any performance setting.
• .958 Britannia Silver flute
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• .997 Pure Silver posts 
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Hand Soldered tone holes
• French open holes
• SP-1 Springs
• Available in Heavy Wall

$12,850

Open hole,
  B foot,
D# roller

In line or offset G

Model 1707 PS - Altus "Pure Silver" (.997) The Altus professional soldered tone hole models offer a bel canto style of sound characteristic that is purely homogenous throughout the entire range of sound. This is accomplished through a precise focus on the ideal aspects of a flute crafted by an artist for artists. The Altus PS(1707) is constructed with Altus' unique .997 Pure Silver, giving this flute remarkable projection capability while retaining a smooth and even tone color.
• .997 Pure Silver flute
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• .997 Pure Silver posts 
• Sinterized tube 
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Hand Soldered tone holes
• French open holes
• SP-1 Springs

$14,500

Open hole,
  B foot,
D# roller

In line or offset G

Model Altus (1807) Limited - This flute is the lasting result of 30 years of research and fascination with the famed Louis Lot flutes, as well as other vintage French flutes. At last the secret of these fine flutes has been defined with the production of Altus Silver™. This supreme material has the ability to produce expressive effects as excellent as these highly valued older flutes. Consisting of numerous materials and designed with Altus special seaming, this flute once again exemplifies Altus' commitment to create flutes that offer beauty of sound far beyond what is possible with conventional materials.
• Altus Silver™ (.946) Flute
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• .997 Pure Silver posts 
• Seamed tube
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Hand Soldered tone holes
• French open holes
• SP-1 Springs

$15,200

Open hole,
  B foot
D# roller

In line or offset G

 Model Atsui 18K Gold - In Japanese, Atsui means thick, deep, powerful and strong.  This new series by Altus lives up to its name. This flute is sterling silver, with drawn tone holes, covered by a layer of 18K gold. Available with a choice of Classic cut or Z cut headjoint. Each flute includes a C# trill key and D# roller. 
• .925 Sterling Silver Flute
• 18K Gold Clad body
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• French open holes
• SP-1 Springs
• C# Trill key and D# roller

$11,000

Open hole,
  B foot,
C# trill key,
D# roller 
 

In line or offset G

Model Atsui Platinum - Same as Atsui !4K Gold, but Clad in Platinum
• .925 Sterling Silver Flute
• Platinum Clad body
• .925 Sterling Silver mechanism
• Altus/Bennett Scale
• Drawn tone holes
• French open holes
• SP-1 Springs
• C# Trill key and D# roller

$13,300

Open hole,
  B foot,
C# trill key,
D# roller 

In line or offset G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


.997 PURE SILVER 

Made through a unique process unlike other alloys, this innovative material retains the purity of silver on every level of manufacturing. Due to its 99.7% pure silver content, it offers a remarkable projection capacity that easily retains smooth and even tone colors throughout all the registers.

ALTUS SILVER™ 
This supreme material has the ability to produce effects as expressive as highly valued older flutes. Consisting of an exclusive recipe of materials, Altus Silver™ offers a wide range of tone colors when combined with the ease of dynamic manipulation that seamed tubing offers. Those who prefer the sound of the older French flutes will be impressed with the resonance of Altus Silver™ on the seamed “Altus Limited” model.



Altus Flute Logo

Altus Alto and Bass Flutes

 
with comfortable ergonomic key designs

Standard features on all models include: hand-carved headjoint, French pointed arms, trill keys, split E mechanism (altos), drawn / rolled tone holes as well as Mother of Pearl buttons on the keys for hand comfort, Stainless Steel springs, special soldered C# tone hole.

Altus Alto and Bass Flutes

Series 19 Model Alto Flutes - features a curved headjoint design.
Model 819 - All Nickel Silver-silver plated alto flute, 
sterling silver lip plate and riser
$5,850
Model 919 - Sterling Silver curved headjoint,
Nickel Silver-silver plated alto flute & mechanism.
$6,900
Model 1019 - Solid Sterling Silver alto flute,
Nickel Silver-silver plated mechanism
$8,500
Series 25 Model Alto Flutes - features a straight headjoint design
Model 825 - All Nickel Silver-silver plated alto,
Sterling Silver lip-plate & riser. 
$5,650
Model 925 - Solid Sterling Silver headjoint,
Nickel Silver-silver plated body & mechanism.
$6,500
Model 1025 - Solid Sterling Silver alto flute,
Nickel Silver-silver plated mechanism.
$8,100
Series 21 Model Alto Flutes - features a straight & curved headjoint in one case.
Model 821 - All Nickel Silver-silver plated alto,
both headjoints with Sterling Silver lip-plate & riser.
$6,150
Model 921 - Sterling Silver headjoints,
Nickel Silver-silver plated body & mechanism.
$7,700
Model 1021 - Solid Sterling Silver headjoints and body,
Nickel Silver-silver plated mechanism.
$9,300
Model 823 Bass Flute
An all Nickel Silver - silver plated bass flute with a hand carved sterling silver lip plate and riser, Altus special soldered C# tone hole for tonal enhancement, stainless steel springs, offset G, split E mechanism, trill keys, drawn/rolled tone holes, and Mother of Pearl buttons on key extensions for hand comfort. C foot.
$8,250


All prices subject to change without notice.