WT Armstrong Flute Serial Number
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
-
GeneticPanda
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2017 1:26 pm
WT Armstrong Flute Serial Number
So Im looking to purchase a new flute for my son as a surprise. I found one locally that is stamped as a WT Armstrong. What's the average value of this instrument? The serial number is stamped 104s2510. The information I've seen has no letters on the serial numbers but this one does. The price is listed for $1500 and I want to make sure I'm not overpaying. Thanks for the help!
-
pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: WT Armstrong Flute Serial Number
Keep looking. $1500 is way too much for an Armstrong Model 104. It's not a bad flute, but for that kind of money, you can get a much better flute.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
Re: WT Armstrong Flute Serial Number
Some early armstrongs were marked 'model number' 'letter' 'four digit serial'
In your case model 104, 's', 2510, should date to ~1970.
Compare the marking on this model 90 to the one on the 104 you came across.
http://i.imgur.com/hMiKzAZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6LjCSY4.jpg
http://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/about/ ... armstrong/
$1500 is way too much for an armstrong 104. $150 in reasonably good shape could make sense, but with an old instrument appearances can be deceiving. An instrument that is pretty shiny might be about ready to fall apart, one that is dull as a bone could mechanically be in great shape, and be a pleasure to play.
If you're shopping on goodwill, you'll have no idea what you're buying. Might cost more to fix up than it would be worth.
https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/W ... 51271.html
Unless you really know what you're doing a repair shop or music store selling a used flute (plenty of good options online if you don't have any local shops you like) is probably going to be the cheaper option than buying on goodwill, craigslist, or personal sellers on ebay - some music stores sell quality instruments on the platform. Remember just because someone says it's in good shape doesn't mean it is. Doesn't have to be deception, lots of people know little to nothing about their instruments.
https://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtop ... f=4&t=5859
In your case model 104, 's', 2510, should date to ~1970.
Compare the marking on this model 90 to the one on the 104 you came across.
http://i.imgur.com/hMiKzAZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6LjCSY4.jpg
http://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/about/ ... armstrong/
$1500 is way too much for an armstrong 104. $150 in reasonably good shape could make sense, but with an old instrument appearances can be deceiving. An instrument that is pretty shiny might be about ready to fall apart, one that is dull as a bone could mechanically be in great shape, and be a pleasure to play.
If you're shopping on goodwill, you'll have no idea what you're buying. Might cost more to fix up than it would be worth.
https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/W ... 51271.html
Unless you really know what you're doing a repair shop or music store selling a used flute (plenty of good options online if you don't have any local shops you like) is probably going to be the cheaper option than buying on goodwill, craigslist, or personal sellers on ebay - some music stores sell quality instruments on the platform. Remember just because someone says it's in good shape doesn't mean it is. Doesn't have to be deception, lots of people know little to nothing about their instruments.
https://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtop ... f=4&t=5859