YAMAHA FLUTE YFL411 SLGB ?

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:48 pm

Has anyone seen or heard of this flute ? It is reported as having gold plated Headjoint, Body and Footjoint tubes. I cannot find any reference to the SLGB part on the 'net. Any info appreciated.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:55 pm

I have never heard of this, though it may very well be a special order from Yamaha. My guess is that it's an option for those few who are allergic to silver, and need some other coating on their instrument. The gold won't offer any improvement in sound. Is there any chance that it is listed as an "SLGP?" GP is the abbreviation Yamaha usually uses for gold plated parts of flutes (ex: A gold plated lip plate would be listed "LPGP").

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:11 pm

Thanks for the feedback - it definitely is SLGB - see here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-YFL-411-FL ... dZViewItem

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:20 pm

That's an unusual flute. The style of the headjoint is especially unusual for a Yamaha. They do not usually have tuning rings near the tenon on Yamaha flutes....That's usually the mark of an old French (or otherwise European) flute. Other than that, it appears to be a nickel-silver flute (rather than sterling as the seller has advertised) with gold plating (possibly over a layer of plating of some other metal). I would be careful about buying this flute...There seem to be several things amiss here, which may just be inconsistencies on Yamaha's part, but without seeing the flute firsthand, it's really impossible to tell. I would suggest trying to get a serial number from the seller, and then contacting Yamaha about it if you're considering a purchase.

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:30 pm

See your PM.

Are all 411 not usually silver tubed ?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:40 pm

vandoren wrote:See your PM.

Are all 411 not usually silver tubed ?

Usually they would be (though Yamaha changed their numbering system a few years ago, so depending on age, what's stamped on their flutes may or may not match it's current model number). However, looking at the tenons of that flute, you can see that they have a nice brassy color to them. A solid silver flute would have a silvery look to the tenons, as might be expected, but a plated flute can't have the tenons plated (as repeated assembly and disassembly will wear through the plating and change the fit of the joints), and they have to leave the base metal (most often nickel-silver) exposed.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:57 pm

yeah... something seems fishy with that flute.... I would follow flutepicc's advice and try to get a serial number, and contact yamaha for confirmation about the flute with that serial number.

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:50 am

At my request, the seller has posted some more info including serial number and inscription detail. Someone (not me) has started the bidding on it.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:29 am

well... if you decide to bid on it.... good luck! I hope that it turns out well for you if you decide to bid on it and win.

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:38 am

Nah -I'll let this one pass.

Ken-Wythall · Post by **Ken-Wythall** » Sat May 12, 2007 3:42 am

Hi Ian

Just spotted this posting.

I can provide some further information on this flute - my daughter plays a similar YFL-471 SLGB open hole model.

SLGB was a series of 'Limited Edition' Flutes produced by Yamaha for the Millenium.

They feature a Gold/Brass alloy head and body, with a solid silver lip-plate and silver-plated keys.

The Gold-Brass Alloy is lacquered and gives a warm sound which in theory is easier to control as compared to the standard 411 model.

It also has thicker posts for improved strength & alighment according to Yamaha

Fine intermediate instrument - my daughter and her teachers love it.

Yamaha produced quite a number of this 'Special Edition' and there were still some new models available in Dec 2004 from www.netmusicalinstruments.co.uk

UK RRP at the time was £1200 (circa $2000)

It may be that the majority of the instruments were marketed and sold in the UK

Hope this helps

vandoren · Post by **vandoren** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:04 am

Hi Ken

Thanks for this info - I'll pass it on to the fellow who was trying to sell one on eBay.

Regards