Flute brands

REYSIMIO · Post by **REYSIMIO** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:38 pm

I am just about to buy a close hole beginners flute on e-bay. There are some cheap brands like Mendini, Lazarro, Armostrong, Gemeinhardt, Weimar, Bundy Selmer, and I´d like to know which of these brands is best.

Thanks for your help.
JE

Fleming · Post by **Fleming** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:17 pm

My experience with Armstrong has been good, but there are much better options for the same price range. The others I've either not heard of or wouldn't recommend to a new student. If you must choose from the brands you mentioned, Armstrong is your best bet. The 104 model is built like a tank and doesn't pose too many problems when it comes to playability of the headjoint.

I would recommend Yamaha and Jupiter as a bottom of the bin option. They're well established and generally quite good for low end flutes. However, beware ebay for Yamaha as they're quite popular and scammers love to claim that they're selling a Yamaha when it's really a no-name asian light fixture. Another current trick is to sell a Yamaha care kit with a junk flute so that a search for Yamaha brings up non-Yamaha instruments. Actually, beware ebay in general as it can often take a lot of knowledge about flutes to know that you're not getting scammed.

One thing I can't stress enough is that in my opinion there are really only two good options for a beginner flute:

You don't know if you're going to stick with it. In this case it's best to get a super cheap model off of ebay, or rent a flute from your local music store. This gives you a minimum cost trial period, and if you decide to stick with it, move to option 2.
You're definitely going to stick with it. In this case, you want to invest in a good flute right away. Nothing is more frustrating than buying a cheap flute and having to upgrade in a few months when you outgrow it.

"Student model" usually translates as "poorly crafted", and the result is that the instrument makes learning harder. If you want a good flute, you want to look for a well crafted instrument. Generally you're looking at dropping between $1,000USD and $2,000USD for a good beginner flute that'll last a while. Brands/Models I'd recommend from experience are Altus, Jupiter diMedici, Yamaha 500+ series, Pearl Dolce+, Sonare, Azumi, and if you can splurge a little for a new one or manage to find a good used one in your range, Powell, Muramatsu, or Miyazawa.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:26 pm

Fleming wrote:"Student model" usually translates as "poorly crafted", and the result is that the instrument makes learning harder. If you want a good flute, you want to look for a well crafted instrument. Generally you're looking at dropping between $1,000USD and $2,000USD for a good beginner flute that'll last a while. Brands/Models I'd recommend from experience are Altus, Jupiter diMedici, Yamaha 500+ series, Pearl Dolce+, Sonare, Azumi, and if you can splurge a little for a new one or manage to find a good used one in your range, Powell, Muramatsu, or Miyazawa.

I would have to disagree with this one. Student models that are made by reputable dealers are often made extremely well in accordance to the market to which they are crafted for. These instruments are designed to be ruggedly sturdy (because young flutists often are too rough with their instruments), and are designed to help establish the basics (like a solid tone for example). I would NOT recommend getting a handmade flute for a beginner (Like the Powell, Muramatsu, and Miyazawa mentioned). Such an instrument is too delicate and too hard to control for an entry level student to learn on with very much success.

I would recommend the following makers for beginners: Armstrong, Jupiter, Yamaha, Pearl, and Gemeinhardt. I think there are others out there, but these are the ones I can think of now. I personally have been very pleased with the Armstrong, Yamaha and Jupiter models. I have not heard of the other instruments that were listed by the OP except the Bundy-Selmer flutes. I myself started on one of these, but I think there are better options for the same price. The only exception I would make for this company would to get one of the vintage nickel plated Bundy's. For some reason, I have always really liked those flutes.

All in all though, as long as you stay with reputable and established makers, and the instrument is in good condition, you should be fine. Just avoid handmade instruments, and instruments with handcut/handmade headjoints. I just feel that getting an instrument that is too advanced for a beginner could lead to some problems.

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:59 am

I agree with fluteguy. Also, you can find a very good student flute for less than $1000. Save the money to spend on an intermediate flute if you decide to keep with it.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:07 pm

MissyHPhoenix wrote:I agree with fluteguy. Also, you can find a very good student flute for less than $1000. Save the money to spend on an intermediate flute if you decide to keep with it.

Missy, Fluteguy18

Threads like these are exactly why I wanted to put together the FAQ. I have heard so many horror stories of potential young musicains being scared off because they thought they could not afford a decent instrument.
Even worse are the people who start out on a $1000 flute, and the flute winds up collecting dust in storage someplace. I am with yall on this one!

whew!

REYSIMIO

Armstrongs are one of the best build student instruments you can buy. I think they are easier to play and more durable than Yamahas or Jupiters. You can find Armstrong 104s on Ebay from $100 used, and as low as $200USD new. There are plenty of other choices these days that are decent, but knowing which ones are good or not is hit-and-miss at best. I have found Ebay flutes for $100 that are pretty good. I have also seen flutes going for $1000 that are junk.

What I recommend is when ever possible, try finding a local dealer you trust, and pay the few extra dollars to buy or rent from them. This way you inherit support. Support can be a key factor when starting out on an instrument, as well as overall playing on one. The first thing I do when I move or commute to a new city is find a local shop I can deal with. Especially one that is reasonable!

Check this out!
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2411

This has a list of well known student models to look for.

Phineas