Buying a new Flute

[simonce011]

Im new here so i just want to introduce myself before i get into my question. My names Simona, im 21 and live in Australia =) hi everyone! haha

Ok well, i used to play the flute throughout high school, but at that stage i just rented one of the school flutes (it was an armstrong ibelieve 104 model). since i started univeristy i havn't played anymore, though i did try to get back into last year when my mum bought me a Gemeinhardt 2esp off ebay (that was in dire need of repair for leaking pads and a missing cork) either way i couldn't afford the repairs and i didn't like the sound that came out so we ended up selling it and now im back at square 1.

i'm really serious about starting it again, though only as a hobby/past-time obviously. so i don't need a high-range professional flute. i was looking through some models and i'm having a lot of trouble deciding which 1 to get. I thought maybe it was a good idea to return to my original Armstrong 104 (coz i absolutely loved it) but i've heard lots of good rumours about the Yamaha 221, or maybe i could get an intermediate flute instead? i'm not sure (i'm not a beginner i've played for 5-6 years)

Mainly i want it to be closed hole, offset g, split e, ideally though i know it doesn't come on the student models, a b foot, so i'd "settle" with a c. price range - up to a 1000$ (AUD).

does anyone have any suggestions? (just don't say gemeinhardt, i don't want to go there again). mainly looking for a good sounding, crisp tone that will make me feel good inside when i hear it! hahaha

Thank you!!

[Zevang]

Welcome, from the other side of the world...

As you cited Yamaha 221, that is all silver plated, I just saw at www.fluteworld.com a DiZhao flute, for a bit more, that has an all silver headjoint.
In terms of sound, I once experimented one of these flutes and found it to be very brilliant, or crispy as you described your desire. Far more than the Yamaha 221 one of my students own.
Though I can't tell much about the mechanism. The Yammies are famous for having it very reliable and durable.

Zevang

[simonce011]

hehe thanks for the welcome. i was hoping to stick to the price range, and even below, so i think that throws out the DiZhao flute (especially since those prices are in USD, which makes it even more exp. haha)

would you have any opinion about the difference b/w armstrong and yamaha? would a yamaha 221 be much different from a 321? in terms of sound? same with the armstrong 104?

i think i'd like to stick to one of these 2 brands, just not sure which 1 would be the best option for my needs.

thanks again!

[fluteguy18]

I would seriously consider the Pearl student flute. It's fantastic and definitely price comparable. At least by American prices it is cheaper than the Yamaha by far and in my personal opinion a much better flute. But, that's just me. If you are only choosing between the Yamaha and the Armstrong I would recommend the Yamaha.

When choosing a student model flute you really need to get a sturdy instrument that helps the player achieve solid fundamentals like tone. In my experience (though not fact by any means) the armstrong gives a clear sound but the scale is less than desirable. The scale on the Yamaha is better and the sound is decent. They are both very sturdy. I recently tried the student model Pearl and the response and sound were great and the scale was good. It's definitely a workhorse.

[pied_piper]

For a student-level and intermediate-level flutes, Armstrong, Yamaha, and Pearl are all good choices. I've played different models of all three brands and any of them suitable for your purposes. I've always liked Armstrong (especially some of the older ones), but Yamaha and Pearl are great too. I recently picked up a used Pearl PF-501 to fixup and resell and I have to say that it is one of the finest student-level flutes that I have ever played. I may even keep it as a backup to my professional flute. It's that good.

Try a lot of different flutes to see what works for you. I've always said that flutes are like shoes - you have to buy what fits you and that's different for everyone.

[fluteguy18]

Oh, random side note. My favorite student flute that I've ever played was the old Bundy nickel plated flute. I don't know why, but I just really liked them. They aren't made any more, but they're worth looking at if you can find a used one in good shape.

[pied_piper]

Oh, random side note. My favorite student flute that I've ever played was the old Bundy nickel plated flute. I don't know why, but I just really liked them. They aren't made any more, but they're worth looking at if you can find a used one in good shape.

I agree that the original Bundy flutes (those made in the 60s-70s) weren't bad, as long as it didn't come equipped with Adjusta-Pads. Those pads were simply atrocious. The designers came up with the idea of putting in foam rubber pads with a metal backing floating on a little rubber cone. The idea was that the pad would adjust itself to provide a complete seal on the tonehole. The advantage (for the maker, Selmer) was that it didn't require much factory setup to get the pads to seat (sort of) and even if a student slightly bent a key, it would still seat (sort of). It wasn't a terrible idea in theory, but the foam material was something akin to the foam rubber found in Dr Scholl's foot pads for shoes. The foam Adjusta-Pads soon deteriorated and turned hard. So, even if the player used a vise-like grip it still leaked.

And the later model Bundy II? Well, an old quote fits here: "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all"

[Zevang]

I'm with Fluteguy, if I had to choose between Armstrong and Yamaha, I would definitely go with the latest.
I should say though that it has more to do with the embouchure design than with the rest, like durability, reliability of the mechanism and so on.
Yamaha has been developing headjoints and has more modern models available.
As far as I know, Armstrong is quite conservative in this regard. Their headjoints seem to be the same for decades.
Anyway, both share the same excelent quality of construction, therefore both can offer good durability and reliability.
But as an overall evaluation, Yamaha arrives in first place, IMHO.
(BTW, nice photo...

[asoalin]

Oh, random side note. My favorite student flute that I've ever played was the old Bundy nickel plated flute. I don't know why, but I just really liked them. They aren't made any more, but they're worth looking at if you can find a used one in good shape.

That's my flute! I complain about it, but only because it needs overhauled (keys leaking, etc.). It is a pretty good flute. I remember in high school a lot of kids who had brand new Gemeinhardt (sp?) student flutes sounded really airy...not smooth (not sure how to describe it). It might have been their technique, but I've played other student flutes and have gotten similar results. I always liked my Bundy the best.

Tomorrow is Miyazawa delivery day!!

[Arlee]

I remember in high school a lot of kids who had brand new Gemeinhardt (sp?) student flutes sounded really airy...not smooth (not sure how to describe it).

Gemeinhardt used to be really good... then they sold off where they made them to someone else or something along those line (I have only heard the story in rumors) and ever since the quality has been extremly hit or miss.

Which makes me sad... and also annoyed b/c so many people look down at me because I have one... just frustrating to deal with

[jmdewey60]

Here's another one of my EBay finds:

Looks nice in the picture. This is a Pearl 501. The seller is in Spain and says
he/she (Angel, I think that can go either way) will send it Tuesday, Monday
being a holiday, Halloween. Wow! I guess over there. Anyway, no competition
bidding, as I mentioned on another thread, there are more flutes than buyers,
and I guess none in Spain. This fits my particular shopping code; OH/IG/CF.
There is no place near me where I can go and try out used flutes so I am buying
a few and trying them. The Yamaha 281 I just got out of the shop, the
Gemeinhardt is in the shop, the Armstrong is hopefully in transit from California.
The Artley is kind of unique,that I am probably going to keep. I could put adds
in Craigslist and see if someone wants to buy one that I decide to sell, where
that would give them a chance to test it out.
I paid $189 for this Pearl which is not out of line with an average of what I paid
for the others. It looks pretty and that means a lot. Of course my Yamaha looked
nice in the picture on EBay but not so nice in person. I have developed a strong
aversion to anything with dings which I take as a lack of respect for the
instrument from a previous owner. I had to lodge complaints about the two that
had damage unreported by the sellers (that did not fix anything). I suppose
some people are willing to take the hit on their reputation rating.

[jmdewey60]

To update my post above, I did get the flute in the mail today
and it lives up to my expectations. This is going to replace my
Yamaha 281 as my main practice flute. It is just a tiny bit lighter,
if that can be possible, and definitely more comfortable to hold.
It plays nicely in the manner of sound production, and nicely also
in the ease of making a good note when blown.
This is the model PF 501 which I understand was discontinued, I
imagine not because there was anything wrong with it but in order
to put out a gimmick laden model to imitate a hand made flute.
Some used models are still available and worth seeking. Like I said,
mine came from Europe, so good luck in your hunting.
I wholeheartedly would recommend this for the beginner, or for some-
one wanting to get back into playing after a long hiatus.
note for anyone keeping track of such things: ser. #123XX.