History

BRAND STORY

Inspiration and Innovation

For almost 40 years, Altus has had hand-crafted flutes that embody the ideal of vintage inspiration and modern technology. Created by Master Flute Maker Shuichi Tanaka, each Altus flute reflects his passion to combine the finest flute-playing with premium materials and artistry. The meticulous design of the flutes and the acclaimed Altus scale™ offers excellent intonation, carefully tuned harmonics, and balanced registers. 

  • 1970s
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • 2020s
1977

  • Mr. Tanaka met British flutist William Bennett. Their shared interests in music, culture and flute making developed into a friendship and close collaboration. This partnership led to the development of the ALTUS scales, an integral part of these extraordinary instruments.

1981

  • The first Altus flute was made in 1981. The brand was established to produce world-class handmade flutes tailored for professional musicians. Altus Flutes' core value has always been simple - "to produce a sound with the right harmonic structure at the right pitch."

  • Start making flutes with 900 Coin Silver and .958 (Britannia) Silver.

  • 1007 was released as a handmade model with .900 coin silver and nickel silver key structure.

  • Soon after, 1207 and 1407 made of coin silver were introduced to the market.

  • 1507 was released to the market. It was back then a model with a seamed tube. It was changed to a seamless tube model in 1991.

1990

  • The completion of the Altus Japan factory marked a new era for Altus Flutes. Nestled among the serene mountains of Azumino Japan, the factory has become the birthplace of the beautiful Japanese flutes.

1991

  • This year was the onset of great model change and series integration. Renewing all product line-up, Altus Flutes incorporates both ideas of classical aesthetics and modern science into our flute designs.

  • Reintroduced coin silver flutes as sterling silver flutes. We started to make 1007, 1207 and 1407 with sterling silver, with 1007 integrated into the Standard Series.

  • 1107, 1307 were introduced to the market.

  • 1507 was reintroduced as a model with a seamless tube.

  • 1607 made its debut, serving as a successor of 1507. It is made of .958 silver and a seamed tube.

1997

  • Altus attended the National Flute Association (NFA).

1999

  • Altus Handmade PS series was introduced.

2000

  • AL was introduced to the market and has been serving as the signature model of Altus Flutes. Beloved by professional flutists, AL is endorsed and highly appreciated by renowned artists including William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, Michael Cox. Along with the PS model, AL is the most sought-after Altus model among top flutists around the world.

2001

  • PSD was released. The model is endorsed by Russian flutist Zoya Viazovskaya.

2009

  • Altus VA Type headjoint was introduced to the flute world.

2020

  • Altus 40th Anniversary

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