Azumi by Altus Model AZ-1 Flute - New

Coming from a student Armstrong it was a delight to move some notches up to the Azumi. I'm still pretty much a novice, still training embouchure, small adjustments here and there to get better sound, less whistling, etc. It's been quite a challenge coming from guitar/bass background and mostly, being 64 years now... never too late right ?
Having a decent instrument was key to move my brain attention from trying to sound the high E, F, G, ... as now I can concentrate on improving the sound instead of trying to make the sound. Can also concentrate more on the music.
My teacher tested and liked it too; of course, she is "the teacher" and can make beautiful sounds out of a pipe at home depot if she tries haha
Serious, this is a respectable flute, on pair with the intermediate Yamaha (the Yamaha has two keys rests pretty close to one another and the thumbport landed in between, interfering with closing the keys.. that was a deal breaker).
But we are talking about the Azumi, with offset G, split-E (thanks heavens) C-footjoint, everything desirable on an upgrade.
One thing I had to "customize": the flute case... inside there is support thingie that gets right in the way of the Thumbport, so I slid a blade underneath to cut on the glue (it's just a piece of wood covered in felt) then I used shoe glue to place it in the "right spot", ie, in a place that won't interfere with the thumbport when I store the flute in the case.
Anyway, I'd recommend this flute to anyone looking for an upgrade (mind not I'm still a beginner after 2 1/2 years, but I know a good instrument when one falls in my hands)