This is fine example of a handmade flute from the renowned Japan maker, Mateki.

This flute was one of the very last ones produced by Mateki's master craftsman Takeuchi and has the original headjoint made by S. Watanabe. It is a closed hole model with offset G and a C foot.

It is a model MO-001 which has a .925 sterling silver lip plate and nickel/silver head, body and foot with beautiful silver plating. This flute is in excellent condition with very little scratching that we typically see on flutes of this vintage. The only wear is a slight discoloration of the plating on the left thumb key (B key).

S. Watanabe and Seuchi (Speedy) Tanaka were both craftsman employed at Muramatsu. They left Mura to form their own flute company (Takumi) which only lasted a few years. It appears that while Watanbe wanted to produce a limited number of great handmade flutes each year, Tanaka was more focused on higher production. The two went their separate ways with Tanaka starting the Altus flute company and Watanbe forming Mateki. The master craftsman Takeuchi opted to stay with Watanabe to continue to concentrate on great sounding, handmade flutes. The name Mateki is Japanese for "Magic Flute".

The Mateki has a wonderful tone and color. Not as bright and piercing as a Prima Sankyo, but more brilliant than the darker tone of the Muramatsu. I would say it is on par with vintage Miyazawa flutes. It was originally sold by Ward Music of Vancouver, Canada in 1981.

This flute has wonderful tone and projection through all registers. It plays the lower register with a minimal amount of wind and the high register notes are crisp and clear. This flute will take a student to Grade 8 and beyond.

TopWind recently had one of these rare model MO-001 for sale at $1900 and it sold in a few weeks so this is a great buy at only $1400!

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