Armstrong Series 90 Flute

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Skyfacer
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 6:07 pm

Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by Skyfacer »

As I mentioned in my previous post , my old flute is a Armstrong series 90. It also has Elkhart-Ind marked on it.
The serial number is 28 13040. It has a sterlng silver body and head joint only. The key work is silver plated.
I brought it second hand and it has served me well. It has a 'darker' sound than my new Jupiter 711E.
However , to get it to play at A440 I must push the head joint right in at the average usual room temperature of 20 C
or thereabouts. The Jupiter 711E however has to have it's head joint pull out to almost 1.5 cm at this typical room temperature.
What I would like to know is, would this flute be regarded as an intermediate instrument or a higher grade one.

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Phineas
Posts: 962
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:08 am

Re: Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by Phineas »

Skyfacer wrote:The Jupiter 711E however has to have it's head joint pull out to almost 1.5 cm at this typical room temperature.
What I would like to know is, would this flute be regarded as an intermediate instrument or a higher grade one.
Well, it depends who you talk to. IMHO, the only difference between this flute, and some of the more "Proessional" models is the headjoint. Get a hand cut headjoint, this flute will play as good as any low level professional flute out there. Your mileage may vary!

Phineas

Skyfacer
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 6:07 pm

Re: Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by Skyfacer »

Thanks for responding to my question Phineas.

saxhorn
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:02 pm

Re: Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by saxhorn »

I too own an Armstrong 90...A buddy of mine in the 6Th Army Band Presidio, where we were located.
in the 70's ,commented after trying my flute that he felt alot of the Armstrongs around that time were a bit flat;
He would grind down the HJ a bit. Anyway , the most interesting part about my flute is that the Body is sterling
but they plated over it????very strange indeed.

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pied_piper
Posts: 1962
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by pied_piper »

saxhorn wrote:Anyway , the most interesting part about my flute is that the Body is sterling but they plated over it????very strange indeed.
Actually, plating a sterling flute body is not uncommon. A number of big flute makers apparently do that to cover up solder residue.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

saxhorn
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:02 pm

Re: Armstrong Series 90 Flute

Post by saxhorn »

Thanks for the info..i'm suprised to find that it can be a common practice

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