Lafin Flute Headjoints by Brannen

J. Rainer Lafin's Lafin Headjoints enjoy a top reputation worldwide, thanks to their maker's deep attention to detail and his experience with top musicians under Karajan, Nicolet, and others in the Berlin Philharmonic and Berlin Orchestras.

Late in the 20th Century, Lafin came to the States and worked with Brannen Brothers' Albert Cooper to develop his signature headjoint, then returned in 2008 to spend significant time training Brannen Brothers headjoint makers to craft Lafin Headjoints to his exacting professional standards. These are not Lafin-style headjoints or Brannen-Lafin Headjoints; they are authentic Lafin Headjoints, made in signature style with the Adler Wings.

To this day, Lafin constantly experiments with new ideas to improve the playing characteristics of his headjoints. As a result, the actual design of Lafin Headjoints changes slightly with some frequency in an ongoing effort to make flutes play even better.

Tube and Lip Plate Metals

All Lafin headjoints come standard with 14k rose gold Adler Wings and 14k rose gold risers, with an optional upgrade to a platinum riser. However, the tubing material, lip plate, and crown can all be customized.

STERLING SILVER The lightest and most brilliant of the tubing options, with plenty of shimmer. This can be paired with a sterling silver lip plate or a 14k rose gold lip plate.

15/85 Combining the characteristics of silver and gold, this 15% gold/85% silver alloy offers a very direct response and great carrying power, with plenty of brilliance. This can be paired with a sterling silver lip plate or a 14k rose gold lip plate.

14K ROSE GOLD A distinctively Lafin choice, 14k gold features a very warm, modulating sound. Paired with a 14k rose gold lip plate.

18K ROSE GOLD Offering the warmest and most carrying sound of the Lafin metals, Rainier Lafin describes his 18k headjoints as 'incomparably charming'. Paired with a 14k rose gold lip plate as well as a 14k rose gold crown.

22K YELLOW GOLD A well-balanced richness and warmth combine with extreme brilliance and projection, with more available nuances. Paired with a 14k rose gold lip plate as well as a 14k rose gold crown.

PLATINUM With a very individual personality, the platinum headjoint offers the artist much more resistance, but rewards with the largest carrying quality. Paired with a 14k rose gold lip plate as well as a 14k rose gold crown.

Adler Wings

Adler Wings are small winged-shaped plates of metal - in this case, 14k rose gold - placed on either side of the emouchure hole to improve low harmonics and responsiveness without damaging the high register. A modified form of the Adler Wings are found on Muramatsu's Tsubasa headjoints and on some custom Powell headjoints.