Help picking between flutes? Beginner.

[leafblower]

I'm looking around for a flute. I've never played flutes and I have minimal music background. I'm still very much a beginner with the piano. I play the recorder just fine but having only 1.5 octaves is such a turn off. This is just for a hobby.

I searched local shops and I can only find brands like Schmidt, Premiere, Global, Lazer, Fernando, Bundy, Lazarro. They cost $150 on average. Either I can't find info or I read that the brand sucks (Lazarro).

I looked around online. There's this one that caught my eyes. The guy claims he bought it for $270 but is now selling it for $155. I can't find any info on the brand, but the model on the box kept pointing me to other brands (Ravel and Selmer), but info is still scarce.
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+ ... d/4768425/

There's also another guy selling an Armstrong 104 for $150, but the thing is ancient. He told me he bought it way back in 1993.
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+ ... d/5587257/

I found someone selling a Geimenhardt 2SP for $130 but someone already beat me to it.

Ordering online isn't an option so stuff like Amazon is out. I'm just trying to find the best-looking deals from trading websites right now (real life meetups to buy). There's no rental store around me so renting isn't an option either. I live in the Philippines so my choice is VERY limited.

Feedback is much appreciated!

[Kaylyn]

Are any of these places near you?

http://www.yupangco.com/store-directory ... ol-network

It looks like they sell a base Yamaha model (YFL-221) which would be better than the no-name brands that you have found so far.

[leafblower]

It's very expensive though! As much as possible I want to keep the price below $300. They're selling the YFL-221 for $750. I thought that they might have other models. I visited a branch last night but they didn't have a single flute in stock.

Is it not suggested to buy a 20 year old Armstrong 104? Out of all the used flute ads I've seen, he's the only one who bothered going into the details of the condition of a few parts. His exact description was:

CONDITION
Plating = A1, Tarnished because its Silver. Can be buffed. No dings
Pads = Orig. Playing Condition
Headjoint = No chips on tone whole

I'm also trying to contact the other guy. It seems like it might even be a Selmer FL-300S judging by the paper stuck to the case. It's possible he just got a different case for it!

[Kaylyn]

The Armstrong would probably be fine for a beginner who can't spend a lot of money. You are most definitely going to have to take it into a music shop and spend a bit more having it at the very least oiled and adjusted. If the pads need replacing, that's going to cost even more. It is important to keep these things in mind so that you do not spend more in repairs than the flute is actually worth. They weren't high-end instruments to begin with. If this is your only option for the budget that you have, you could definitely do worse, providing it is in playable condition. At least it's a recognizable brand and not one of the chinese eBay models.

And don't worry about the age. My flute is from 1985! It just means that you may have to spend more getting it up to playable condition.

Hope that helps!

[pied_piper]

I agree that the Armstrong would be the best of the bunch in your price range. Age should not be a factor, but condition is. With older flutes, you may need to have a few pads replaced and have it adjusted to get it into really good playing condition. Even so, the Armstrong is a work horse. It's not the best flute around, but the keyword is strong and repair shops can get parts if needed. Do you have a repair shop nearby? If so, have it checked over and have them put it into good playing condition if any epairs are needed. If it has any leaks, you will get frustrated very quickly.

[leafblower]

Hmm... so aside from the description provided with the Armstrong, I check for leaks and body warping. I'll also have the guy play through all three octaves.

I contacted him about body warping and leaks and he said it doesn't have them. He claimed that it can "play low D, the most resistant note". Is that true?

[pied_piper]

I wouldn't say that low D is the "most resistant". As you suggested, have him play through the full range with a light touch on the keys. With heavy finger pressure, it can overcome small leaks that occur with normal finger pressure. Also ask that he play a chromatic scale to be sure that all notes play properly. Also ask him to play F# and Bb (using both the thumb fingering and the 1 & 1 fingering). Those notes involve adjustment points that can cause a flute to play poorly. Low C and C# should also play with little effort if there are no leaks.

[leafblower]

Kinda thinking of bumping up my budget. I still feel uneasy about the Armstrong 104. Seller has zero feedback and it looks pretty old.

I found an Artley Symphony for $220, looks new and is freshly padded. Seller has good feedback too. Is this better?
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+ ... d/5690853/

I read an old post by pied_piper that Artley's quality began to decline after Conn-Selmber bought them and moved production to Arizona, although the seller says the origin of the Artley is Indiana. I can't find the specs on this thing (apparently an Artley 77-0). I'm not sure if it's closed holes, e mechanism and C footjoint, which is what's recommended for a beginner. I looked up the serial and apparently it was made back in 1967-1968? Still looks so shiny and everything.

[pied_piper]

The Artley Symphony flute was Intended to be an intermediate level flute. Most, but not all of them, came with a silver headjoint and a plated body. I have one in my inventory that has a plated headjoint. Either way, it is basically a closed-hole student level flute with a low C, no split E, and no other enhancements. In general, there is not much difference between an Artley Symphony and an Armstrong 104.

You stated that the Artley was freshly padded. By who? A professional tech or the seller? Anyone with basic mechanical skills can install a set of new pads, but that's no guarantee that some or all aren't leaking. The challenge is getting the pads and everything else adjusted and regulated correctly.

[leafblower]

Thanks for the info!

As for who did it, I'm guessing it was the seller himself. He also does other repairs; I saw an ad of his where he offered very extensive repair services for saxes. I guess a general instrument repairman is better than nothing. I very seriously doubt there's any dedicated flute repairman in my country, specially since the instrument isn't that popular here. I'm still looking for contacts to music students though.

I'm picking it up tomorrow, can't wait.