Need Help Finding a Flute?

Question

Serious answers only, please.

Okay, after over 20 years, I decided I wanted to pick up a flute again and resume playing. I thought, 'okay, it's been a while, and I'll have to re-learn some stuff, so I don't want to spend a lot of money'. Well, you get what you pay for.

The flute I wound up with is okay - for an extreme beginner. My daughter, who is learning the clarinet in her school band, is now teaching herself at home with this flute and the book I got to go with it. But (surprise to me!), I'm better than the flute. It's okay quality for her, but not for me.

I'm still not wanting to spend thousands of dollars on one, like I've seen you can at some websites. But I need a good QUALITY flute, an upper intermediate level one. It is still just for personal enjoyment, not concert performance or anything. Can someone suggest a good brand/model for, say, under $500 bucks? Thanks!

The one I purchased was a Cecilio 'Silver' Flute through Amazon.com from a seller called Austin Bazaar. It's okay for my 11-yr-old, but I need better quality.

Do the operations that rent-to-own student flutes to schools offer that same deal with better quality instruments?

Answer 1

Was the flute you bought new or used?
I would recommend a Gemeinhardt
look at these two flutes:
http://www.wwbw.com/Gemeinhardt-Model-3SH-Flute-i21629.music that one's $810, but a good flute
http://www.wwbw.com/Gemeinhardt-Model-3-Flute-i70419.music and this one's $470, but I do think the $810 would be a better investment.

Answer 2

You will hit the jackpot if you can find an all-silver Gemeinhardt (model mss, or m3s) made in the 70's. I have never stopped kicking myself that I sold mine. These are basically the same intermediate flutes made today but waaaaaaaaaay better. You can find these for about $500.

For $500 look for something used. Something silver. And don't buy anything sight unseen. You really need to try out the flute, or have someone else try it for you.

Make sure it doesn't need a lot of work or you will end up paying as much for the overhaul as you paid for the flute.

It may take some time for you to find a great quality silver flute for $500. They are out there. Hopefully you're not in a rush.

Answer 3

That's great that you want to start playing again and I can understand your frustration on not having a flute that will allow you to do what you need. Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to buy any good quality, upper intermediate level for $500. That's more of the price range beginner models sell for currently. And brands like Armstrong are not good choices. The best intermediate flutes are Yamaha, Miyazawa, and Gemeinhardt. If you do some looking around, you could probably get an intermediate model from one of these companys for $1,250 - $1,500. Your only hope for one under $500 is to buy one used. Good luck!

Answer 4

I disagree that Armstrong doesn't make good quality intermediate flutes, but brand loyalty is a matter of opinion.

Look for used Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha and other brands that offer step-up flutes with solid silver head/body/foot joints and plated keys. You will generally get a much better flute with better craftsmanship in that range. Used is the only way to reach your $500 goal, and it will probably be tough. I sold my Gemeinhardt 3SB for $750 about 2 years ago, but the buyer got a good deal. Check out www.usedflutes.com for some good deals and I would recommend using a service like www.escrow.com while trying an instrument out. Make sure you like it before you pay for it! Good luck!

Answer 5

Hi. Some of the previous answers weren't completely true to 100%. I've been selling flutes for the past 4 years and I can tell you the prices and models that are decent flutes for well under $500. I recommend Gemeinhardt flutes to most people starting out but I recommend the vintage M2 model made up until 1990 I believe (basically a silverplated closed hole flute with low C) as the craftmanship was very good during that time with Gemeinhardt. The older Gemeinhardts were finely made as well but the M2 has gained a bit of popularity over the years. These M2 flutes usually sell for a maximum of $125 (on ebay) and that's when they've been thoroughly inspected by repair folks. Up from there, I'd recommend a brand called 'S Series' which nobody really knows about. I've had 2 of these flutes, one with Gemeinhardt-style open hole keys (they're silverplated, open hole keys, low C, inline G key), and they're fantastic! I heard they were made by Gemeinhardt and Armstrong (supposedly one made the one style and one made the other) but both models are very well-made and made in Elkhart, IND and usually sell for under $100 because nobody knows about them. From there on up again, I'd recommend a cheaper (in price) open hole Armstrong model like a 303 or 103 (with B foot) which you can get for under $300 usually. The most decent flute in the $500 and under range would be a tie between a Gemeinhardt 3SB (yes, you can buy them for under $500 at times) and a Yamaha 385II or similar model. The Gem. 3SB has solid silver headjoint, body, and foot (keys, too), low B key, and inline G key while the Yamaha 385II model features sterling silver headjoint, silverplated body, footjoint, and keys, and the same key setup. It's kind of bad to ask which flute is basically the one for you but I understand where you're coming from as well. I'd recommend going to a local music shop and trying out some flutes. A good chunk of the overall tone and projection comes from the headjoint while the left over amount comes from the flute's overall setup and materials are factored in there as well. As an example, I had a Pearl 665RBE Quantz Coda flute with a certain model headjoint. The model headjoint that it came with was a loner since mine was getting engraved and the same model. Between the 2 IDENTICAL model headjoints, the lip plates were cut differently! Crazy flute-filled world! If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail] as I rarely check my yahoo. Thanks and good luck!

Answer 6

I found a very nice Armstrong flute in a pawn shop awhile ago for about 200.00 it is very nice!!

Answer 7

ask your question in this flute forum