2026-2027 Alto, Bass & ContraBass Recom-mendations

While at the National Flute Association convention in Portland, I played all the NEW altos, basses and contrabasses I could find. Here are the new instruments that I think are worth trying.

Because there is no standard key layout or bore size, a personal “hands-on” trial is necessary to determine which low flute fits your hands best.

This page includes the following information:

  • Stores That Stock Alto and Bass Flutes
  • Stores That Rent Alto and Bass Flutes
  • Additional Stores That Have Altos and Basses
  • Alto Flute Recommendations
    • Between $2000 and $3000
    • Between $3000 and $5000
    • Above $5000
  • Bass Flute Recommendations
  • Contrabass Recommendations

Recommended Stores that Stock Alto and Bass Flutes

Stores That Rent Alto and Bass Flutes

  • Adams Flute Center – Ittervoort, The Netherlands – adams-music.com
  • Brass and Treblas – Lillestrom, Norway – brass-and-treblas.placestars.us
  • Flute Center of New York – Manhattan – http://www.flutecenter.com
  • Flutistry Boston – Boston, MA – flutistry.com
  • West Valley Music – Mountain View, CA – www.westvalleymusic.com
  • Royalton Music – Cleveland OH
  • Long and McQuade Music – Toronto (for Canadians only)
  • Kimberly Jurens Woodwind Repairs Inc. – Victoria, B.C. – http://www.fluterepairs.ca
  • www.tetractys.co.uk for UK residents

Additional Stores That Have Alto and Bass Flutes Onsite

Alto Flute Recommendations

Models around $2000 – $3000

Most altos in this price range have curved and straight headjoints available. You can get both. How do you like the sound and how do the keys feel in your hands? Especially test the facility and response of the footjoint notes.

Low pass means either that my results were evenly split between like and don’t like, or that specifically the low notes were weak or difficult to produce.

  • Di Zhao
  • Jupiter – low pass (tried 3)
  • Pearl
  • Trevor James – low pass (tried two)

Models between $3000 and $5000

  • Di Zhao
  • Haynes Amadeus – low pass (tried two)
  • Jupiter – low pass (tried 3)
  • Pearl
  • Trevor James – low pass (tried two)

Models above $5000

  • Altus
  • Eva Kingma – 4 models; closed hole, with five open-holes, a B-foot (F#), full-Kingma system
  • Ingalls – Tube is CARBON FIBER!!! Titanium mechanism, aluminum keys – Incredibly light!!! Curved head. I was so excited I forgot to ask the price. 4K?? Bingalls@gci.net
  • Miyazawa – did not find one to try. They have been good in the past
  • Muramatsu evidently has an alto now. I did not find it to try. Feed back from two people was not favorable.
  • Sankyo – has a low B (F#) option
  • Yamaha

Headjoints

  • Chris Abell – wooden straight alto head joint. Outstanding.
  • Juan Arista – straight and curved sterling alto head joint. Fabulous.

Bass Flute Recommendations

Listed by lowest priced model. All basses shown include trill keys which are used for many alternate fingerings and solving response problems. I consider trill keys a “must have.” A b-foot only comes on some brands and is not necessary. It does give you one more note but adds length and weight to the already heavy instrument. If you chose a b-foot, be prepared to find a good support system for the instrument.

Low pass means either that my results were evenly split between like and don’t like, or specifically that the low notes were weak or difficult to produce.

  • Guo bass $2200 for New Voice, $3750 for Grenaditte.  Both have a low B. The New Voice is a light weight plastic instrument. The Grenaditte is a polymer composite. Recommended for people with shoulder problems, arthritis or other physical limitations. Clacky key noise is still annoying. Plays softly easily but lacking a full robust sound. The tone is one dimensional. Comes in wild colors.
  • Di Zhao $4400. Comfortable to hold and good sound and response.
  • Di Zhao Vertical bass $5000. Comfortable to play. Has a low B option.
  • Ingalls – Incredibly light! Tube is CARBON FIBER!!! Titanium mechanism, aluminum keys. Curved head. just above 5K. Designed for large hands at the moment. I had them outline my hand on a piece of paper so they can design a flute for average sized hands. Bingalls@gci.net
  • Pearl – $5200-$5800.
  • Jupiter vertical bass – $7200. Low pass.
  • Altus $14,000.
  • Kotato $17,000. A large bore bass with a powerful, rich and huge sound. Light and responsive key action. Adjustable support rod works well when sitting.
  • Prima Sankyo $19,200. Wonderful tone and light responsive action. The support rod is provided in screw-together sections. The rod works when sitting and is just what this bass needed.
  • Eva Kingma $19,400 and up. Price fluctuates with exchange rate and cost of materials.  Glorious sound. Available with a small or large bore.  Open-hole option available.
  • Eva Kingma vertical bass. Fabulous! Contact Eva directly via your web browser for current price. Price fluctuates with exchange rate and cost of materials.

Contrabass Flute Recommendations

  • Pearl – $17.6K – footjoint reasonably easy to reach.
  • Jupiter – $19.7K – footjoint reasonably easy to reach.
  • Kingma – $20K  Has trill keys and a low B!!!! Excellent tone, response and key action. Optional membrane for that buzzy sound.
  • Kotato  – $30.8 – 32k + Powerful rich tone. An outstanding instrument recommended by several friends who play a Kotato. Has a low B. There was not one a new to try at the convention.
  • Kingma Double Contra – beaucoup bucks!  Eva had her newest version available to try in Portland and it is easier to play then ever! Contact Eva for the current price. Price fluctuates with the exchange rate and cost of materials.