used flute?

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 6:58 pm

is it ok to buy a used flute? they show a picture, and they
said it''s only been used a few times. it''s on ebay, a yamaha 481h. they
have a policy that for 7 days, you can see it, if you''re not satisfied, you
can have a full refund. is that trustuble

angel_of_music · Post by **angel_of_music** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 11:55 pm

my first flute was used. i used it for 3 or 4 years before
switching to my intermediate. i loved that thing go for it. if its in good
condition, they will be cheaper. but make sure its not TOO well-loved. i would
be careful buying something off ebay. ive heard too many horror stories about
people taking off with your money. i would look for something in your area
first. read the classifieds on your newspaper, and check out a music store

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 2:18 pm

thanks.. someone already got it anyways, i can't afford a
new flute, yet i need a good one.. [:blackeye:]

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:17 pm

Ebay has pretty good track record but there is Murphy's
law. Nothing wrong with used flutes in general. You can get a lot more flute for
far less money. Yamaha is a good name to go used because they take a pounding.
Take note though that re padding and any repair can take a huge chunk of your
savings away. I wouldn't recommend used on lessor quality products. 481 is an
inline and they are far more available as more and more people switch to offset.
I would recommend thinking twice before buying inline unless your ring finger is
longer than your middle finger. Inline is simply a cheaper and less stable way
to build a flute with ZERO positive benefits. Just my opinion. But unless you
are one of the lucky people who have no budget, used is a good thing. Better a
used Yamaha in good shape than an Emerson, Armstrong or worse yet brand that is
new. Just my view again.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:29 pm

>>I would recommend thinking twice before buying inline
unless your ring finger is longer than your middle finger.>> My daughter and I
both play inline G and neither of us have a ring finger that is longer than than
our middle finger. Neither of us have suffered any ill effects from playing. Kim

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:34 pm

I guess we just disagree on that point. Boehm decided
offset was the best and the french knock off flute makers in order to build it
cheaper made inline. Ergonomically inline makes little sense. But then again I
use a straight keyboard instead a curved one.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:38 pm

krzymunkey, I would really try to avoid buying a flute that
you can't play before you pay. Yes,you could save some money when buying from a
place like Ebay but there are some real risks when making a purchase like that.
You could try local music stores...they often have used instruments that people
trade in for a new one. Also you could check with local college music
departments...may college students may be stepping up to better flutes and may
be looking to sell their old flute. I personally would not buy a flute that I
couldn't either take to a technician to be checked to or play before I paid for
it. Kim

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 12:51 am

i wanted a 461 (offset) there is one, but it is over my
budget. wel, actually, it isn't thaaaaaaaat expensive, i guess, but over my
parent's budget. it costs $800 it looks pretty new, but well the retail price
is 1300. whoa. i used up all my savings (roughly $800) on new york payments
$2000, at carnegie hall (remember i said earlier) i don't like to play a flute
that i cant see and try, and i'm afriad there is some creepy crawlie that wills
spread to me from playin some guy's used flute, but hey,, no other choice, not
that i got it or anything.. *sigh*

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 12:56 pm

Retail on the Yamaha 400 series is closer to 1800 but you
can buy them new in the 1100-1300 range. A 471, 461 with split e and gold lip
plate, just sold on ebay for about 750. The 481 is more common and sells for
less as demand for inline continues to drop. Most people can play an inline but
in the long run your body will thank you for spending a hundred extra to get the
offset.(typical used premium for offset, new prices are usually the same) I
would suggest you find a store like Sam Ash that carries Yamaha and are pretty
common across the country and play a 300 level yamaha and a 400 (or even 500)
and see if you can hear a great deal of difference. You maybe just as happy with
a 300 as the headjoint is the majority of the tonal difference from the student
flute and the 300 and 400 have the same scale and headjoint. You can find a 371
for 5-700 and I doubt anyone you play for will be able to hear the
difference.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:00 pm

thanks.. i wanted a 361, but they cost 700-1000 so i cant
yet.. i'd rather have a 461, i'll see, maybe my band director can get me a
discount[:blackeye:] [:((] [:(] [:knockout:]

dancingflutist3000 · Post by **dancingflutist3000** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 8:47 pm

[quote] ---------------- On 10/24/2003 6:58:15 PM is it ok
to buy a used flute? they show a picture, and they said it's only been used a
few times. it's on ebay, a yamaha 481h. they have a policy that for 7 days, you
can see it, if you're not satisfied, you can have a full refund. is that
trustuble ---------------- [/quote] If there's a 7day return policy I say go
for it, though sometimes it takes over a week to get the right sound on a flute
but if you were in a shop you'd only get to play it 20 min! I say try out the
flute if you like it. . .keep it. If you don't...don't.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:02 pm

[quote] ---------------- On 10/27/2003 12:56:36 PM I would
suggest you find a store like Sam Ash that carries Yamaha and are pretty common
across the country and play a 300 level yamaha and a 400 (or even 500) and see
if you can hear a great deal of difference. You maybe just as happy with a 300
as the headjoint is the majority of the tonal difference from the student flute
and the 300 and 400 have the same scale and headjoint. ---------------- [/quote]
Where are those stores??

angel_of_music · Post by **angel_of_music** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:11 pm

[quote] ---------------- On 10/26/2003 7:17:50 PM I would
recommend thinking twice before buying inline unless your ring finger is longer
than your middle finger. Inline is simply a cheaper and less stable way to build
a flute with ZERO positive benefits. Just my opinion. ---------------- [/quote]
i play on an open-holed inline. and yeah, its a little harder than an offset
(which i played on for 3 and a half years) but not as bad as you make it sound.
and my ring finger is by no means longer than my middle finger. unless your
fingers are abnormally short, then you should not have any problems

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:06 pm

"its a little harder than an offset " But that is my point.
Why buy a flute that is harder to play or could cause long term use injuries as
it has on others when you have a choice and they cost the same.(new) Isn't the
point of buying a flute finding the one that best suits you? Then why in the
world buy one that is "a little harder" to play when an inline has ZERO
advantage. Unless you just love the look. So yes most players can deal with
inline keys with little problem but why should anyone?

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:47 pm

i kno, it doesn't have any advantages, but it costs a
couple hundred more, usually, and i only have that much to buy an entire
flute... so, if i can, then i;ll get an offset, if not, inline it is!
[:blackeye:]