Looking for a flute...

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 12:25 am

Okay, so here''s my situation: I need to buy a
new flute. I''ve had my Gemeinhardt for the last 5 years and it''s served me
well, but it''s kinda trashed after 4 marching seasons and I need to move on
to something a little better. I''m going to college next year, but because
I''m not going to a music school or majoring in music and I''m probably
going to be transferring out after a couple years anyway, I''m not going to
wait to see what the instructors at the college are going to advise me to
purchase. I''m looking to spend about $2,000, but I know that $2,000 isn''t
exactly going to buy me a Powell and I''m really not quite sure what to get or
look at. I''m not sure if I should get a pretty good flute with more silver
(like a silver-plated Yamaha or Pearl) or go for a better construction without
the silver plating (like a Sankyo Etude model, which is not silver plated.)
(BTW, I tried a Sankyo artist model today and fell in love with it...it sounded
SO good.) I would purchase a Sankyo artist model, but I just don''t have the
money. So basically...it seems like silver flutes keep appreciating in value. So
should I go for a somewhat "lesser" construction with more silver for a better
sound, or should I go for a better-constructed flute without the silver plating?
Thanks[:)]

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:45 am

2OoO can nearly get you a muramatsu!
[:bigsmile:] you can get a pretty good flute for 2OoO: yamaha 581, yamaha 481,
MURAMATSU... whatever i make nO sense so ignore me... [:praise:]

Kendall · Post by **Kendall** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 6:30 am

A good flute for college is a pearl, I have a
765 and it costed me 2047 with tax

AG950Flute · Post by **AG950Flute** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 9:11 am

If you really like the Sankyo I would go to
usedflutes.com ASAP there's a Sankyo Silver Sonic flute listed there for $2195,
and it gives all the details on the flute, and it was just listed on the 4th of
this month. In any case, usedflutes.com is a great place to look for flutes for
sale, there's everything from professional instruments down to beginning, and
you can also place a listing stating what it is that you're looking for. You
are correct in terms of flute appreciating in value, unfortunately with the way
the economy is right now sometimes it is more difficult for instruments to sell.
And in the end it comes down to how much a person is willing to spend. Best of
luck!

Cleartone · Post by **Cleartone** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:34 pm

Courtney's advice is good. Usedflutes.com is a
nice place, however I think you should steer towards a flute fair first. Is
there one that is going to happen soon that is close to you? There you can try a
myriad of flutes new and used in your price range. the problem with
usedflutes.com is that you have to deal with a lot of individuals at one time,
so if you want a trial period before you buy it may take a lot of extra time you
wouldn't necessarily want to spend. Sankyo;s are good flutes, but just because
you liked one doen't mean you like another of the same exact model. This is why
I think if you are able to put yourself in a good position with a lot of flutes
to try, you will make a better choice. If you can't get to a flute fair try
another way. fluteworld or other on line flute sellers in which you will be able
to do a trial on a few flutes at once in the privacy of your own home. Good
Luck. Flutes are Fun!!!!!

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:46 pm

Do make a point to try as many different flutes
as you can. The only way to find which brands you really like is to try them.
Make sure to check out used flutes too! You might be able to find some good
quality used flutes that would actually hold up better than a lower quality new
flute. -Bradford

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:04 pm

Hi! Just replaced my ancient Armstrong Heritage
with a Powell Signature. For $3,000, I think it blows away many flutes costing
much more. Go somewhere where you can try different flutes and see what you like
in your price range. I made a trip to Flute World (near Detroit) to try flutes
and was amazed by the Signature. For my tastes, it outplayed a couple of
Muramatsus that were more expensive, as well as Yamahas in the same price range.
But..it was what I liked, so you really need to play different flutes to see
what works for you. Good luck! Steve

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 1:31 am

Thanks for all of your great advice.
Unfortunately, many music stores in my area only carry student flutes
(Armstrongs and Gemienhardts) and there's only one I know of nearby that
carries anything slightly more advanced like Sankyos and Pearls, and they
usually don't have very many at once. I would really like to sit down with
several different flutes and try them at once, but how do I find out if a flute
fair is coming to my area?

woof · Post by **woof** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:09 am

[quote] ---------------- I find out if a flute
fair is coming to my area? ---------------- [/quote] I have the same question
Re: flute fairs- how do you find out about them? Secondly, based on the
experience of some you long time players how long do you think you would have to
had played before you would be savy enough to really recognize the difference
between different flutes? Is it so obvious that even a neophyte would recognize
the difference in playability or is it much more subtle than that? I know the
answer will be subjective but........

Cleartone · Post by **Cleartone** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:35 pm

I don't think this matters overall. Even if you
are at a lower level of accomplishment, you can tell the difference between
flutes. Just use your own judgement on how you play and buy the one you like. I
am not a professional driver, but I can tell the difference between a civic and
golf. I know that is a strange analogy, but do you understand what I mean?? All,
I recommend is that if you are thinking of purchasing a new flute, then give
yourself the best chance to get one you like, instead of just buying one "you
think" will improve your playing. I had to learn this the hard way. In 1971 I
had an Artley, plated keys silver body and head. a couple years later the
Gemeinhardt 3SSB came out. My father bought me one. Bad move. He didn't know. I
should have been the one trying them out. It turns out the Artley actually
played better than the Gemeinhardt in the lower range(b foot)and even had better
overall tone, but the Gemeinhardt had better response in the higher range. I was
only 11 at the time, but I could tell the difference

Dixon · Post by **Dixon** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:57 pm

Used flutes are an option. But if you can afford
$2000 and want a quality flute you should consider going a few hundred more. As
most flutes whether the name reads Yamaha Gemeinhardt or Pearl, that sell for
under that price are basically student quality. A few hundred more will get you
into an Muramatsu EX, Miyazawa, Powell Signature or something like an Altus 807.
These plated flutes, or plated with silver heads are superior to solid silver
models from Gemeinhardt, Pearl and the like. But if you really are not going
into music, why spend that much money? Get another student flute.

whsmusicguy05 · Post by **whsmusicguy05** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:38 pm

http://wwbw.com great prices if you pick out
what you want.

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:36 am

To answer your question Dixon, I'm not majoring
in music but I am minoring in it and I really would love to be involved in it,
which is why I am in the market for a new flute in the first place. I am playing
on a flute that has definitely seen better days and I know that simply by
getting a new instrument I can be a much better player. So I don't want another
student flute, my question was about a flute good for more advanced study. The
Woodwind and Brasswind has good prices...but seems to me they just don't care
about their customers. I ordered a mouthpiece a couple months ago and I ended up
cancelling my order because it never came in and they wouldn't tell me when it
would come in.[:(]

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:33 pm

I am a 3rd year Music Education Major. Last
year, I purchased a Gemeinhardt 33SSB. I've played on the school's Yamaha
equivalent, but Gemeinhardt has been what I have stuck with for over 8 years of
flute playing. I think I got a deal for it through my flute teacher, who happens
to own a music store. I got it at barely above retail. Why switch brands if the
one you have suits you fine, that's what I say. Of course, I played many
flutes, but I kept coming back to the Gemeinhardt every time. I got to play
other flutes at the KMEA State Convention in Louisville, KY. State Music
Conventions are helpful for having a lot of different vendors that will let you
try out all kinds of instruments at no cost. Cass the heartnut