We inherited an old Artley flute that probably hasn't been played in 30 years. It is engraved with "Elkhart, Indiana" and the serial number(?) is 110446. At the very least I think it needs new pads. I was able to get some notes out of it, but not others. I played the flute from 4th grade through college, but I haven't played much in the last 15 years. Now my daughter wants to try the flute. She is in 4th grade. We have this old flute, but it's been so long since I've had to have any flute repairs done, I have no idea how much it would cost to get it in playable condition.
In addition, my daughter played the violin last year and we rented the instrument Since it is part of a rent-to-own agreement, she is able to switch instruments and some of the rental cost will be applied toward the purchase of an instrument. I was thinking about just letting her switch the rental to the flute to see if she liked it and that way she would have the option to switch back to violin if she decides she likes the violin better.
I just don't know if it would be better to repair the flute we have or to continue renting for a while. I have no idea whether the old flute was a good flute to begin with or if it was just a cheap flute and not worth the cost of repairs.
Does anyone have any idea?
Student flute - repair or replace?
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fluteguy18
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Re: Student flute - repair or replace?
Here are my thoughts (for what little they are worth).
Artley was almost always a cheaper 'student level' flute. Generally what I have seen is that most modern instruments are of better design, and often they are of better construction. While that is not always true, if you stick with reputable brands, this is often the contrast between older and newer student instruments.
To repair or to replace? Well, let's look at the math here. This flute in its current condition is worth maybe $50-100 USD in its current condition. Maybe. I'm just guessing. Depending on where you are located, in the US a student flute repad will run you anywhere from $180-400 USD. From a repair perspective, the methodology of doing these student level overhauls are done quickly, but if done poorly, the adjustments will go out within a short period of time. At worst, your total investment in this instrument is probably under the $400 USD mark. In terms of instrument quality, I'm not sure this is the route I would go. If it's a lemon, then you have a $200-$400 lump of metal that you can't resell for the same amount you invested.
I would advocate transferring your rental balance if you can do so without losing too much equity in the finance agreement. If it is with a reputable dealer you will be getting a newer, quality student instrument, in good condition, with a repair and service contract. Interest will hopefully be 0% or low, and hopefully you'll be getting a decent deal on the instrument to start with. This way you get to keep using the money you've already spent without investing in something that's a bit riskier. Furthermore if you were to fix the flute and stop renting, then you spend money on the repair costs and lose the amount you paid toward the rental. Dollar for dollar I would just transfer the rental if they will let you, and leave the Artley in retirement.
In the words of Phineas: 'Just my .02'
Artley was almost always a cheaper 'student level' flute. Generally what I have seen is that most modern instruments are of better design, and often they are of better construction. While that is not always true, if you stick with reputable brands, this is often the contrast between older and newer student instruments.
To repair or to replace? Well, let's look at the math here. This flute in its current condition is worth maybe $50-100 USD in its current condition. Maybe. I'm just guessing. Depending on where you are located, in the US a student flute repad will run you anywhere from $180-400 USD. From a repair perspective, the methodology of doing these student level overhauls are done quickly, but if done poorly, the adjustments will go out within a short period of time. At worst, your total investment in this instrument is probably under the $400 USD mark. In terms of instrument quality, I'm not sure this is the route I would go. If it's a lemon, then you have a $200-$400 lump of metal that you can't resell for the same amount you invested.
I would advocate transferring your rental balance if you can do so without losing too much equity in the finance agreement. If it is with a reputable dealer you will be getting a newer, quality student instrument, in good condition, with a repair and service contract. Interest will hopefully be 0% or low, and hopefully you'll be getting a decent deal on the instrument to start with. This way you get to keep using the money you've already spent without investing in something that's a bit riskier. Furthermore if you were to fix the flute and stop renting, then you spend money on the repair costs and lose the amount you paid toward the rental. Dollar for dollar I would just transfer the rental if they will let you, and leave the Artley in retirement.
In the words of Phineas: 'Just my .02'
Re: Student flute - repair or replace?
Thanks for your response. That's the way I was leaning anyway. A couple hundred dollars to fix up a flute that *might* be a good flute vs. probably not that much more for a much newer flute and the chance for her to switch instruments if she decides flute isn't for her...
I hope she enjoys the flute, not only because I would love for her to find an instrument she loves, but also because it will be fun for me to watch her learn.
I hope she enjoys the flute, not only because I would love for her to find an instrument she loves, but also because it will be fun for me to watch her learn.