For over 25 years, Altus has crafted flutes that embody the ideal marriage of vintage inspiration and modern technology. Created and handmade by Shuichi Tanaka, each Altus flute reflects his passion to produce the finest playing flutes available, utilizing the finest materials, handwork, and artistry.
The meticulous design of the Altus flute and its uncompromised scale receive great attention from in the flute community. Based on the work and recommendations of British flutist William Bennett, the Altus/Bennett scale offers excellent intonation, carefully tuned harmonics, and balanced registers.
Masterfully hand-sculpted headjoints, contemporary precision standards and unique tubings produce the remarkable sound of the Altus flute. Vintage color, pure tonal core, ease of manipulation, excellent intonation properties, response, and projection – flutists worldwide recognize the inspired Altus sound.
Metals
Crafted from a variety of precious metals for the unique preferences of today’s flutists, Altus leads the industry in the use of denser metals. Flutists may choose from gold or four different silver alloys with the highest silver content available.
.925 Sterling Silver
Comprised of 92.5% silver, Sterling has long been a standard for high quality flute making.
.946 Altus Silver™
This alloy consists of 94.6% silver and 18 precious metals, including small amounts of platinum and gold. Unique to Altus, it possesses many of the rich tonal attributes of the old French master flute maker’s, most notably Louis Lot’s famous flutes.
.958 Britannia Silver
Britannia silver offers a dark, rich color without sacrificing brilliance. This tubing is available in medium-heavy weights on select Altus Professional models.
.997 Silver
Powdered silver is utilized in the ultra-modern metallurgical process of sinterization which creates an extraordinarily hard tubing, excellent projection, clarity and power.
14K Gold
Gold’s tonal color is dark and warm and its response flexible and pure. Available by special order.
Tubing
From high-tech to classical French influence, Altus is the only major flute company that offers a complete selection of tube options.
Extruded tubing
Extruded tubing is the modern standard in the flute industry. The metal is pushed through a precise die to form a tube.
Seamed Tubing
Seamed tubing is made from a flat piece of metal that is rolled and seamed, allowing the metal’s molecular structure to remain intact. The unique response and flexibility of these flutes can only be fully realized through personally test-playing and listening to their complex colors.
Sinterized tubing
Sinterized tubing is made from .997 powdered silver compacted at a high temperature to fuse the particles together into a rigid tube. This produces a dense and brilliant, hard tubing with supreme projecting qualities – a silver made possible only through innovative technology.
Models
Altus Artist Series
Designed for the economically-minded or the emerging young artist. Standard features include: French-pointed arms, hand-carved lip plate, B footjoint with gizmo, A=442, inline or offset G, drawn tone holes, steel springs, French case, padded nylon zippered case cover, cleaning kit and cleaning rod.
807 Models
.925 hand-carved sterling silver lip plate and riser, silver plated body and mechanism, drawn tone holes, stainless steel springs
| 807 Open hole, B foot with inline or offset G |
$2,695.00
|
| 807 Open hole, B foot with offset G with split E |
$2,995.00
|
907 Models
.958 Britannia silver headjoint, silver plated body and mechanism, drawn tone holes, stainless steel springs, choice of Z or V cut headjoint
| 907 Open hole, B foot with inline or offset G |
$3,750.00
|
| Split E add |
$300.00
|
| C# trill add |
$500.00
|
1107 Models
.958 Britannia silver flute, silver plated nickel silver mechanism, drawn tone holes, stainless steel springs, choice of Z or V cut headjoint
| 1107 Open hole, B foot with inline or offset G |
$5,950.00
|
| Split E add |
$300.00
|
| C# trill add |
$500.00
|
Altus Handmade Sterling Series
.925 sterling silver headjoint, body and mechanism, .997 pure silver hinge tubes, SP-1 springs, D# roller
1207 Models
| 1207 Open hole, B foot with inline or offset G, drawn tone holes |
$8,500.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$700.00
|
| .40mm medium heavy wall add |
$175.00
|
| .43mm heavy wall add |
$350.00
|
1407 Models
| 1407 Open hole, B foot with inline or offset G, soldered tone holes |
$11,500.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$500.00
|
| .40mm medium heavy wall add |
$175.00
|
| .43mm heavy wall add |
$350.00
|
Altus Handmade Britannia Series
.958 Britannia silver headjoint and body, .925 sterling silver mechanism, .997 pure silver hinge tubes, SP-1 springs, D# roller.
1307 Models
| 1307 Open hole, B foot, D# roller with inline or offset G, drawn tone holes |
$8,900.00
|
| Split E, add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$700.00
|
| .40mm medium heavy wall add |
$175.00
|
| .43mm heavy wall add |
$350.00
|
1507 Models
| 1507 Open hole, B foot, D# roller with inline or offset G, soldered tone holes |
$12,800.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$800.00
|
| .40mm medium heavy wall add |
$175.00
|
| .43mm heavy wall add |
$350.00
|
1607 Models
| 1507 Open hole, B foot, D# roller with inline or offset G, seamed tubing, soldered tone holes |
$13,500.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$800.00
|
Altus Handmade Silver Series
.997 pure silver headjoint and body, .925 silver mechanism, .997 pure silver hinge tubes, SP-1 springs, D# roller, soldered tone holes.
1707PS Models
| 1707ps Open hole, B foot, D# roller with inline or offset G |
$14,500.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$800.00
|
1807AL Models
| 1807al Open hole, B foot, D# roller with inline or offset G, seamed tubing, soldered tone holes |
$16,000.00
|
| Split E add |
$600.00
|
| C# trill add |
$800.00
|