Has anyone tried this brand of Chinese Flute?

[JasonTongRulz]

Yes I know, it's one of those Cheap Chinese Flutes on eBay but I don't plan on using this as my main instrument, or not even a back-up! I want it just for fun or I guess, a back-up of a back-up

But because it's a Back-Up of a Back-Up I don't want to spend much on it, no more than $300 especially because I'll only be using this Flute for fun.

Also it's quite pretty to look at because it's Gold Plated. I know the plating will wear but I'm fine with that since I'll never perform with it anyway. I'll probably just take a few photos with this Flute and busk with it maybe.

So my question is, have you tried the "Sterling" brand of Chinese Flute? Was their sound acceptable? I'm not too fussed about the stiffness of the mechanism because I can work around that but if you have any comments on that, please also let me know! It claims to be modelled on the Yamaha 574 Flute so I'm assuming it's one of those "better" Chinese Flutes? It even has a 12 month replacement guarantee!

Please help me out cause I'm dying for a cheap (Under $300) Gold Plated Flute

If you don't recommend this flute, please suggest another gold plated cheap Chinese Flute that you have good experience with! You don't have to have tried the actual Gold Plated flute directly, but if you've tried a flute of the same brand it'd be very nice if you can tell me how it was! And please also send me a link to where you bought it please!

And please don't suggest I get something like a YFL-221, because I'm not interested in another student flute.. I just want a gimmicky gold plated one that sounds decent or plays reasonably well!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FLUTE-24k-Go ... 0306053320

Thank you very much for your help and time!

[fluttiegurl]

I understand what you are looking for, but keep in mind that cheap gold plating will wear off pretty quickly. I see these (and other brands) go through the school system on a regular basis, and the plating rarely lass a few months before it is pretty much gone. If you are going to handle it at all, the plating is not going to last, and you are stuck with an ugly, cheap Chinese flute.

Others may have had better experience, but this is what I have observed.