Flute prices.?

Question

Is $3800 expensive for a flute? The brand is Miyazawa and the head bit is made out of silver.

It is a hand made flute.

Answer 1

Since it's a Miyazawa, I guess it's an okay price, even though the full flute isn't made out of sterling silver.

Answer 2

Mine was $7200 (Altus) -- some people are truly surprised to find out how much a quality flute costs. There are flutes being made in to the tens-of-thousands of dollars.

At $3800, if you're talking about the model 202 then that's a little high. If you're talking about the model 402 then that's a great price. This is assuming you're talking new prices.

Of course you can buy a flute in the hundreds instead of the thousands - those are for beginners and hobby players. Serious players will need a serious instrument.

Just be sure to play many of them before you decide which is your flute - this is a serious investment.

add: I'm going to disagree with a few comments about buying based on price. We don't say that a person who can otherwise afford it doesn't need a Mercedes because he's not been driving long - we shouldn't say that about an instrument either. There is no good reason (other than saving money) that a student shouldn't play on an advanced level (these aren't really "professional") instrument. Sax players do this all the time - plenty of HS players with the funds play on a Selmer Paris sax and gain benefit from that instrument. How many calrinetists in HS are playing on a Selmer Paris or Buffet R-13? It's not uncommon at all.

There's also nothing wrong with playing on a Gemeinhardt or Armstrong or etc... if that's the level of playing you aspire to. Those are fine instruments for student players. Until you've played a truly high end flute, one can't understand the differences. Of course, there are things an Altus pro flute can do that the typical HS player hasn't learned yet - but there are things it will do better for any player too.

As for the idea "once you get into college.... $2000 instrument..."; if you intend to be a flute major in college, a $2000 instrument will be your backup/emergency/outside instrument and you can expect the need to spend closer to $4000 if not much more (plus a quality custom cut headjoint). You might also anticipate the need for a high end piccolo and maybe an alto as well. Either of these Miyazawa would be suitable for a college player. That doesn't make it not good for a HS player - especially one who is serious about the music.

Like most other things in life - the wise person buys the best of whatever that they can afford. It's simply the better investment of your money. If $3800 is the price range then Miyazawa isn't a bad option (though I'd opt for a used Altus and get a higher model instrument that way)

For some truly fine flutes, http://flutes.flutesmith.com/

Answer 3

I am currently shopping around for a new flute and I wish I could spend $3800 on a flute...But then again I have been playing for 17 yrs, and understand what a professional flute can do for me. Looking at Miyazawa, that is a resonable price. However, I have also read that Miyazawa's are also copied and there are fakes out there.

With that said...you can find a good flute, conservatory to beginning pro for a lot less. The top of my price range is $2500 and I found over twenty models within my price range new and used that fit the bill.

So like has been said...If you know you are going to be playing flute for the rest of your life go for it. However, if you are just starting, or are in high school and don't know if you are going I would say look for something less expensive.

Answer 4

If you have to ask whether it's too expensive, then you may not be experienced enough to need such an expensive instrument. $3800 is a price that a professional musician would pay for a secondary instrument (either a backup to their primary flute, or perhaps a flute that a general woodwind player who also covers clarinet, oboe, sax, etc. might buy). A professionaly flutist might pay twice that for a primary instrument. But by the time a player gets to that level, they already know what prices they should be paying. Since you don't, I take it you may be more on the student level, and probably won't benefit from investing so much in an instrument. As a high school student, I wouldn't invest more than $700 - $1000 in an instrument. If you go on to study at the college / conservatory level, then moving up to a $2000 price range might make sense.

Answer 5

you will possibly be able to attempt some pawn shops. spouse stumbled on a sturdy silver Gemenihardt one time, whe she gasped on the fee of $a hundred and fifty, the attendant in the present day reported... shall we prolly sell it for $a hundred twenty five.(the gasp grew to become into for a fashion decrease priced it grew to become into... not how high priced, however the attendant did not comprehend something approximately flutes) We did take it for $a hundred twenty five!!!! this is been an exceedingly stable flute. you will possibly be able to anticipate to have any 2nd hand flute re-padded. evaluate that interior the acquisition fee. E-bay has a stable decision the place you may learn pricing and spot whats accessible.

Answer 6

If you are a beginner then you do not need necessarily a hand-made flute! Yamaha's basic models start from 500 euros I think...

Answer 7

omg.
my flute was only 700 dollars, geimhardt <--something like that just go to music&arts they are bound to have something or sam ash.

Answer 8

yes u ll find cheaper ones in india ..