Simba?

Flute History and Instrument Purchase

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Rayne
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:18 pm

Simba?

Post by Rayne »

Ok, so there's an ad for a used Simba flute - $65 - in our town and I was thinking of getting it and using it until I could get my new one. I've never heard of this brand, though. I emailed the person and asked for more details and they *think* it's open hole, all silver. She said she'd meet me somewhere in town w/ it so that I could check it out.

Before I go making arrangements to see this though, I wanted to find out what kind of flutes these Simba flutes are. Are they reputable? Who sells them?

Thanks!!

MeLizzard
Posts: 462
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:25 pm
Location: Mid-Ohio Valley

Post by MeLizzard »

Don't buy this, just wait a bit! This is a cheap Chinese import, sold by Sam's or Costco. This is a toy.
"There is no 'Try'; there is only 'Do'."--Yoda

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flutepicc06
Posts: 1353
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm

Post by flutepicc06 »

MeLizzard is absolutely right. You will almost certainly end up having to either pay for extensive repairs on it, or replace it with another flute before long. These flutes are made of cheap pot metal, which is extremely soft in comparison to the standard nickel silver alloys used for student flutes, and once they are damaged, they are extremely difficult to fix. Most repair folk won't even mess with them, as they cannot make a profit on them. Once they fix one thing, another goes wrong, and they just have to keep going. The scale is normally poor on these instruments, and the headjoint is less than desireable. You're best off saving that $65 to put towards the Azumi, and borrowing a school flute or renting one until you can buy yours.

Rayne
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:18 pm

Post by Rayne »

Thanks y'all. :) I did some Google-ing after I posted and I didn't find anything good about them. I gathered they were of pretty low quality from what I found. Thanks!!

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flutepicc06
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Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm

Post by flutepicc06 »

No problem. :)

tothepointe
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:49 pm

Post by tothepointe »

The azumi is worth the wait ( coming from happy new owner)

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Phineas
Posts: 962
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:08 am

Post by Phineas »

tothepointe

Obviously if someone is considering buying that kind of flute, they are not planning on spending the money on an Azumi.


Rayne
If you are looking for a low cost flute, If youo can go up to at least 150-200, there are good quality new and used instruments that you can get your hands on. I have seen used Armstrongs for as low as $100. I wrote a post on this very subject.

http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopi ... highlight=

Phineas

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flutepicc06
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Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm

Post by flutepicc06 »

Phineas, Rayne already pretty much settled on an Azumi. She was just looking at the Simba as a temporary flute until she has collected the funds for the Azumi she wants.

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Phineas
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Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:08 am

Post by Phineas »

flutepicc06

My bad! :oops: That is what I get for not keeping track of things better. The part about the low price flute still applies though.

Phineas

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