Announcement,
Spotlight on Pearl Flutes
Pearl Flutes is part of the ‘Pearl Musical Instruments Company’ which was founded in 1946 in post-World War II Japan by Katsumi Yanagisawa. The company has grown from very humble beginnings as the maker of music stands and accessories with just two employees into a global brand that represents some of the finest flute-making standards in the world, pioneering a tradition of flute-making that is totally distinctive. Most of the artisans at Pearl have the distinction of building flutes for the company for their entire careers. Their apprentice program, which has been employed for decades, allows the talents of master builders to be passed on to future generations.
In 1968, in response to the growing demand for fine flutes, Pearl established its first factory in Chiba, Japan, to produce handmade flutes. Although the mechanical design of the modern Boehm system flute has been established for many years, the craftsmen at Pearl believed that the mechanism could become more elegant and innovative. So, in 1972, Pearl Flutes produced the first significant refinements to the Boehm system in more than 100 years – firstly, their ‘One-Piece-Core-Bar’ construction, followed shortly after by their unique ‘Pinless Mechanism’.
These refinements, which are a feature of all Pearl Flutes, eliminate many of the wear and tear problems associated with traditionally constructed flutes. The ‘One-Piece-Core-Bar’ makes the mechanism sturdier and more reliable, which stays in adjustment longer and is easier to service, and the patented ‘Pinless Mechanism’ eliminates the problems of protruding needles that snag clothing and gives easy entry to perspiration and body acids which can cause corrosion and binding keys. These refinements have set an industry benchmark for smoothness and reliability and feature on every model of Pearl flute.
Pearl became the industry model that many other companies followed and in 1985, they opened a second factory in Taiwan. Their mission was to deliver the finest quality flutes at more affordable prices and to expand the product line-up to include student and step-up model flutes. Japanese Quality Control has ensured that an investment in one of these instruments will provide a lifetime of musical satisfaction.
Here at Presto, we are very pleased to stock a selection of Pearl’s outstanding student and intermediate models, available to purchase online or to view and play test in our store in the heart of Leamington Spa.
Clare Preston - Woodwind Specialist
