I am hoping someone can enlighten me on the definition of "Seller Refurbished" where flutes are concerned.
What exactly does it imply in the worst case scenario...best case scenario. I saw a couple of Altuses which are rather steeply discounted.
When one sees 6-10 yo New Never Used or Mint Hardly played...should alarm bells ring? Does that mean they are duds or leftovers from choicest pickings?
Not sure of the true meaning of the used market terminologies.
I wonder if the headjoints for 907 would be the same stock std rolled out for the 1107 or would the latter model have the better headjoint? Wondering if anyone has ever compared the 1007 v 1107 v 907 and 807s. and the respective hj cuts and body effect on sound. Trad vs Modern Z cut.
flutego12 wrote:I am hoping someone can enlighten me on the definition of "Seller Refurbished" where flutes are concerned.
What exactly does it imply in the worst case scenario...best case scenario. I saw a couple of Altuses which are rather steeply discounted.
Well, if the technician who "Refurbished" them is good, then it could be a deal. The worse case you may have to dump more money into it to get it fixed. Most of the time, unless you get a flute from a reputable dealer, it will need work 90% of the time. Even dealers are not perfect. My suggestion is make sure the seller has a generous return policy if something is not right. Personally, I add $100 dollars to the cost of a used flute for adjustment.
flutego12 wrote:When one sees 6-10 yo New Never Used or Mint Hardly played...should alarm bells ring? Does that mean they are duds or leftovers from choicest pickings?
Not sure of the true meaning of the used market terminologies.
Not used in a couple of years = Adjustment and pads. The flute may be in good mechanical shape. However, 100% of the time that I have gotten into deals like this, it cost me a 50% repad+COA.
I have never been much of an Altus fan, but i am sure someone will chime in!
flutego12 wrote:I am hoping someone can enlighten me on the definition of "Seller Refurbished" where flutes are concerned.
What exactly does it imply in the worst case scenario...best case scenario. I saw a couple of Altuses which are rather steeply discounted.
Well, if the technician who "Refurbished" them is good, then it could be a deal. The worse case you may have to dump more money into it to get it fixed. Most of the time, unless you get a flute from a reputable dealer, it will need work 90% of the time. Even dealers are not perfect. My suggestion is make sure the seller has a generous return policy if something is not right. Personally, I add $100 dollars to the cost of a used flute for adjustment.
flutego12 wrote:When one sees 6-10 yo New Never Used or Mint Hardly played...should alarm bells ring? Does that mean they are duds or leftovers from choicest pickings?
Not sure of the true meaning of the used market terminologies.
Not used in a couple of years = Adjustment and pads. The flute may be in good mechanical shape. However, 100% of the time that I have gotten into deals like this, it cost me a 50% repad+COA.
I have never been much of an Altus fan, but i am sure someone will chime in!
Phineas
Thank you for your reply. The seller has a fairly good track record to date just a strict no return policy. And has recently been a little non communicative with my Qs on his latest flute postings. First buy was an entry level "mint" miya which I had absolutely no complaints about thus far (6 mths as backup). I just love to browse and chat as a newbie and ask Qs about the flutes esp when considering a purchase. I think his stance was more "Just get yourself a good flute make and practice on it, then, consider an upgrade later when you're ready" - which is sensible. But I am on a steep learning curve and like to experiment with the different tone color capabilities (for different repertoire) and discover what they really mean. First time I see "refurbished" i/o "used". Where I am service cost is exorbitant and there is shipping to consider too. So to a certain extent I am relying on and trusting his opinion. The Bennet scale got me curious. Obviously I am sticking to reputable and robust brands.
On materials: there appears to be two schools - so far sellers have tended to be on the side of the higher the silver content the better. Whilst on fluteland & 8notes ppl have been touting "no difference in body material apart for a couple of $k"). Also, some ppl have said composite is good for more vibrancy? eg tin hj with ss body and vice versa ss hj with nickel body. Once and for all - am I right to say EX is darker & GX brighter in the mura stable? When I play tested them, I found the EX upper register v thin. Also is the resale of an EX III affected in any way if it has no e-mech, is the e-mech becoming more of an "expected inclusion" rather than the previous "option".
Also, one hears about how ppl make selections out of 5-6 flutes which I don't get to do either way for most flutes. Found Jen Cluff's how not to purchase a flute something to think about esp the bit about making sure one does not end up with the leftover least remarkable which tends to be passed fr amateur to amateur and do not want that to happen. I suppose the steep discount for taking the risk.
flutego12 wrote:I am hoping someone can enlighten me on the definition of "Seller Refurbished" where flutes are concerned.
What exactly does it imply in the worst case scenario...best case scenario. I saw a couple of Altuses which are rather steeply discounted.
Well, if the technician who "Refurbished" them is good, then it could be a deal. The worse case you may have to dump more money into it to get it fixed. Most of the time, unless you get a flute from a reputable dealer, it will need work 90% of the time. Even dealers are not perfect. My suggestion is make sure the seller has a generous return policy if something is not right. Personally, I add $100 dollars to the cost of a used flute for adjustment.
flutego12 wrote:When one sees 6-10 yo New Never Used or Mint Hardly played...should alarm bells ring? Does that mean they are duds or leftovers from choicest pickings?
Not sure of the true meaning of the used market terminologies.
Not used in a couple of years = Adjustment and pads. The flute may be in good mechanical shape. However, 100% of the time that I have gotten into deals like this, it cost me a 50% repad+COA.
I have never been much of an Altus fan, but i am sure someone will chime in!
Phineas
Thank you for your reply. The seller has a fairly good track record to date just a strict no return policy. First buy was an entry level "mint" miya which I had absolutely no complaints about thus far (6 mths as backup). I just love to browse and chat as a newbie and ask Qs about the flutes esp when considering a purchase. I think his stance was more "Just get yourself a good flute make and practice on it, then, consider an upgrade later when you're ready" - which is sensible. But I am on a steep learning curve and like to experiment with the different tone color capabilities (for different repertoire) and discover what they really mean. First time I see "refurbished" i/o "used". Where I am service cost is exorbitant and there is shipping to consider too. So to a certain extent I am relying on and trusting his opinion. The Bennet scale got me curious. Obviously I am sticking to reputable and robust brands.
On materials: there appears to be two schools - so far sellers have tended to be on the side of the higher the silver content the better. Whilst on fluteland & 8notes ppl have been touting "no difference in body material apart for a couple of $k"). Also, some ppl have said composite is good for more vibrancy? eg tin hj with ss body and vice versa ss hj with nickel body. Once and for all - am I right to say EX is darker & GX brighter in the mura stable? When I play tested them, I found the EX upper register v thin. Also is the resale of an EX III affected in any way if it has no e-mech, is the e-mech becoming more of an "expected inclusion" rather than the previous "option".
Also, one hears about how ppl make selections out of 5-6 flutes which I don't get to do either way for most flutes. Found Jen Cluff's how not to purchase a flute something to think about esp the bit about making sure one does not end up with the leftover least remarkable which tends to be passed fr amateur to amateur and do not want that to happen. I suppose the steep discount for taking the risk.
Thank you Phineas for your views.
I took the plunge ... and bought a refurbished Altus 809. Got a fantastic headjoint & flute despite its plated construct. Pads are mintish. Mechanism plays great as vendor did COA prior to shipping. Love it for it's lightweightedness in my hands, evenness of tone, ease of playing and the color in the tone throughout register -3rd register is by far the easiest and fullest amongst my flutes. Amazing. A little like magic. Easy to play for a progressing beginner like me. No more breathing issues.
Last yr I bought a used Miyazawa PA202 (mint) from him and thought that was great till I got this headjoint!. The overall mechanism for the Miya seemed lighter but the G# key has started to click (humid here). I didn't think I had Straub pads. Will have to wait for verdict when we go for our first service. Am bracing myself for that and the $.
Overall I am really happy with them - vendors and flutes.
