My introduction and my annoying "which flute" post.

[jetflute]

Hello All~ This is going to be quite a ramble, I apologize in advance.

Currently I'm a married mother of 3, who now works in a hospital lab. I played flute in middle school/high school. Was in a pretty good band, I was a natural at the flute. Never had much formal training, but I did well in local and state honor bands.... though while I liked it a lot, I wasn't driven enough to continue in college, though now I'm wishing I did! I think sometimes people who a certain thing come easy to them, they aren't the ones who have the drive/stamina/desire to see it through.

I've played my flute throughout the years (graduated hs in 94), joined a community band for a while, but now I'm really getting back into it with a professional teacher. I'm ready for a step up flute. My goal is to play for fun, and then perhaps perform in any way possible. I know I'll never be a professional, but I'm hoping there's something locally for a dedicated advanced intermediate who wants to be challenged. Solo perfomances? Small woodwind groups? Community orchestras? The small community band was fun, but very un-challenging.

I currently have a Solid Silver Gemeinhardt KG Special, from about '90/'91. Model number 83738. I was so proud of this flute, as I saved up and paid for half of it. That's a lot for a sophomore in high school. It has served me well, but I'm looking to now step up to a low-end professional model/ high end intermediate.

I've done my homework, and I understand that it's the head joint that is really important, so I'm on the hunt for a "relatively" inexpensive professional/intermediate flute for now, and then I'll save up for a better head joint down the road.

Here's my list below. My goal is to be under $2000. But I'll probably end up stretching that a bit, as seems to happen with most of my budgets in life.

Altus 807
Azumi 3000
DiMedici 1011
Di Zhao 700
Muramatsu EX (BIG budget stretch)
Trevor James Cantabile

I'm going to contact a place like FluteWorld.com to try some of these out. But I'd like any tips, or advice, or suggestions, knowing the flute I've come from, my background and knowing my goals above. Any other sites you suggest that will send you flutes to try? Do you have a favorite? Any offer a payment plan or a kind of a rent to own?

As a side note (totally wishful thinking), I'm hoping to maybe find a small flute business that would be happy to barter partially for some web design work. I am also a web designer on the side, specializing in setting up shopping carts (along with logo/graphics work), and the thought that maybe I could spring for a slightly fancier flute by working some of it off really sounds wonderful. If anyone knows of any small companies that need a nice web site, I'd love to know about them.

I'd also like some advice on how much I might be able to get for my used flute. It's in good condition, small surface scratches, no tarnishing, no dents, has the gold lip plate, and b foot. Pads were changed about 3 years ago, I think they are in good condition.

So I know this rambling, but my main questions are:

1) what do you think of my list? Any other suggestions?
2) around what price should I list my old flute?
3) Are the flutes I listed even much of a step up? I know Gemeinhardt's have a bad name now, but this is an older model.
4) Any bartering suggestions? Or just a bad idea?
5) What are your favorite flute sites to test flutes on a trial basis?

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to joining this community!

Jade

[jmdewey60]

I've been watching flutes for a while on EBay and that may not be the
best way to sell one because there are a lot of flutes for sale there.
Maybe on the encouraging side is you can find some nice deals like this
Altus 807 with an opening bid of $890.
But it is probably not what you want, if you wanted another with a b foot.

(edited to remove info meant for the use of the O.P.)

[jetflute]

I've been watching flutes like yours for a while on EBay.
Here's one with the serial number 83310 that matches your description that sold on Oct. 22 for $430.
I doubt this is encouraging but there are a lot of flutes for sale.

Maybe on the encouraging side is you can find some nice deals like this Altus 807 with an opening bid of $890.
But it is probably not what you want, if you wanted another with a b foot.

(I can edit this stuff out later today)

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping for a bit more for my flute, but something is better than nothing.

I've never used my current b foot, to be honest. Well, at least not in a piece of music. When I'm doing my long tones is the only time I use it. I know it can make a difference in the flute sound, but I'm not opposed to a c foot. However I do want open hole.

I haven't looked much on ebay or any other used flute sites. I'd prefer new, but I'm open to used.

[Phineas]

So I know this rambling, but my main questions are:

1) what do you think of my list? Any other suggestions?
2) around what price should I list my old flute?
3) Are the flutes I listed even much of a step up? I know Gemeinhardt's have a bad name now, but this is an older model.
4) Any bartering suggestions? Or just a bad idea?
5) What are your favorite flute sites to test flutes on a trial basis?

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to joining this community!

Jade

Most of the answers to your questions can be answered here.

http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5859

I know Gemeinhardt's have a bad name now

They may not be preferred, but a lot of people have them, and like them. It is almost like asking a person you drives a Porche what they thing about a Chevy. If a flute is playable, it is a good flute! Anything past that is purely subjective.

Any bartering suggestions? Or just a bad idea?

I would not say it is a bad idea, just a lost art. It is difficult to trade with people these days. Everyone is out to get the upper hand, instead of exchanging needs. When exchanging things, you just cannot be hung up on the value of it. When I was younger, I rarely needed money to get anything. If I needed an amplifier, and someone needed a mixing board. If I had a mixer that I was not using, I would do a trade to get the amp. Even if the mixer costs a little more than the amplifier. These days, that kind of deal would not go so well. But hey, it is worth a try!

Are the flutes I listed even much of a step up?

IMHO Not much. You would go farther just getting your flute worked on(COA), and looking for a new headjoint. You would definitely get more bang for the buck. I would hold off on buying a new flute until you know for sure the flute is holding you back musically.

If you just have to buy a new flute, there a lots of choices in your price range. Just have to play on a few and see what you like.

READ THE FAQ. It should answer the rest of your questions

Welcome to the board!

Phineas

[Arlee]

Are the flutes I listed even much of a step up?

IMHO Not much. You would go farther just getting your flute worked on(COA), and looking for a new headjoint. You would definitely get more bang for the buck. I would hold off on buying a new flute until you know for sure the flute is holding you back musically.

I would agree on this point. Your flute is a really nice flute and it is from the time period where Gemmies were still very well made, the falling out of favor has more to do with what went on with them late 90's/early 2000's. Getting a new flute seems to only make sense to me here if you want a new flute with C# trill key or a split E... or some kind of feature which can not be added to an existing flute.

A note on the headjoint though... if you need to replace anything but do not feel the need for the features listed above I definitely would recommend just getting a headjoint. However Gemeinhardt's can be a bit of a pain in this regard because the do not always make the body of the flutes to the same size standard as other flute makers do and are often thick walled. I went through a bit of this difficulty when I was looking into getting a new headjoint for my Gemeinhardt. It certainly can be done and might be well worth it, but just make sure you have some good conversations with the headjoint makers before you just buy something (I know obvious advice, but it's good to throw it out there)

[jmdewey60]

Thanks for the reply. . .
. . . I'd prefer new, but I'm open to used.

I was putting that up as an example of the sort of thing out there.
My recommendation is to only buy something like that where there are a lot of good
pictures and it is obvious that it is in perfect like-new condition, when buying EBay.
Also being patient and checking every day is a way to get a good feel for how sales
go and eventually maybe finding what you want.

[cflutist]

What I would personally do is call one of the flute specialty houses (e.g. Carolyn Nussbaum, J.L. Smith, Fluteworld, etc.), tell them what your budget is, and then have them recommend flutes for you to try. All three of these places will send flutes (and/or headjoints) out on trial.

[wkzh]

Hello there! Welcome! I can only answer question (1), due to lack of time.

I stand by my Muramatsu. (Y)

As for the B-foot, you may not need it now, but when you do need it in future... you'd be mightly glad you got it. (Did I say this somewhere else on this forum??...) The tone -may- have change, but I think it's too minisicule to be off too much of a worry. Same goes for the open-holed keys.

If I say any more I think the other forum members will find me too noisy

All the best!

[jetflute]

Most of the answers to your questions can be answered here.

Thanks, I read through it, it is a very detailed and helpful faq.

I would not say it is a bad idea, just a lost art. It is difficult to trade with people these days.

You are definitely right there. I've done bartering in my web design over the years only a few times, though when approached by a client who wants to barter, I always try to do my best to at least do a partial trade.

If you just have to buy a new flute...

I think you might be onto me! I've been wanting a new flute for years, and while I don't want to get something just for the sake of getting it, I'm at the point in my life where I can afford a few luxuries. As far as whether or not the flute is holding me back, I've always had a hard time, even when I was at my very best, getting loud low notes or soft high notes from this flute. When I had borrowed another flutist's Yamaha in high school, I was amazed at how I didn't have to work so hard to get a nice full loud low c. But as pointed out, a new headjoint would probably do the trick. OR I could wait and save up for an even nicer flute, but I can't see myself ever paying more than maybe $3-4K for a flute (famous last words).

Welcome to the board!

Thanks!

[Phineas]

I think you might be onto me! I've been wanting a new flute for years, and while I don't want to get something just for the sake of getting it, I'm at the point in my life where I can afford a few luxuries. As far as whether or not the flute is holding me back, I've always had a hard time, even when I was at my very best, getting loud low notes or soft high notes from this flute. When I had borrowed another flutist's Yamaha in high school, I was amazed at how I didn't have to work so hard to get a nice full loud low c. But as pointed out, a new headjoint would probably do the trick. OR I could wait and save up for an even nicer flute, but I can't see myself ever paying more than maybe $3-4K for a flute (famous last words).

Well, in that range, you can get almost anything you want. Just do not be afraid to try out flutes that have plated bodies. Flutes that are all silver are hyped up, but are not always the best choice.

What I would personally do is call one of the flute specialty houses (e.g. Carolyn Nussbaum, J.L. Smith, Fluteworld, etc.), tell them what your budget is, and then have them recommend flutes for you to try. All three of these places will send flutes (and/or headjoints) out on trial.

Yeap! You never know what these places will have in stock. You may be able to get a good deal on a used handmade(Professional) flute.

Phineas

[jmdewey60]

I was hoping for a bit more for my flute, but something is better than nothing.

Here's one like yours that sold for more than the one I mentioned earlier.

It could be because of the offset G which the other ones I've seen on EBay did not
have. If someone really wanted that feature, I suppose they would be willing to pay
a little more for it. Besides, this looks extra clean from the photos.