One more topic about eBay flutes... wooden ones that time!

[Pockocmoc]

Hello everyone,

I am definitely about to buy a Hammig Wooden grenadilla flute, but I play in a lot of Jazz concert/bands, where I would not bring a 10k$ flute... So I thought I would use my old Yamaha for outdoor events.
However, yesterday, I was being curious, and I found a lot of StarRiver (chinese brand) flutes on the internet, especially wooden ones (example : http://www.ebay.com/itm/SR-Grendadilla- ... 2834f67267 ).

I know this is probablyt scam, but I would like to have your opinions on these flutes... I still would buy the Hammig flute for home practice and regular concerts, thischeap flute would be sort of my "outdoor jam sessions" flute. Worth the try?

Thank you,
Antoine.

[tgg]

Worth the try? If you won't be upset if it's a piece of crap and you're out close to a thousand dollars, or maybe just a couple hundred for shipping/custom duties if you return it, maybe. If you buy it, do report back with your experience. Would be interesting to hear about the quality on that flute.

Have you ever had a wooden flute before? Rapidly changing humidity or temperature might increase the chance of cracks/make it harder to play in tune. How do you feel about something like a guo grenaditte instead? Or if you want to buy on ebay, maybe take a look at this headjoint to put on your Yamaha. Ask the seller if he think you can get the sound you want out of any of his headjoints.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-wooden ... 2784724592?

I'm thinking about buying that delrin one, would be nice if someone else could be the guinea pig on it though

[Pockocmoc]

I am not sure I will buy this SR flute... If yes, I'll let you know how it feels.
Never had any wooden flute myself, one of my first flute teacher had one. What I know is that I'm really willing to get one, all the while knowing the pros and cons of a such precious and fragile instrument ... But I don't want to miss the shot buying a thousand euros piece of crap.
As I said, I am about to buy a Hammig flute, so I was wondering if I could add a thousand more on an bonus flute --> I will probably not...

Thanks
Pock'

[SylvreKat]

Antoine, why not just keep playing whatever flute you currently use for your concert/jazz bands' outdoor concerts? And use your good Hammig for the indoor concerts? Why waste money on a Chinese flute that likely will need repairs that can't be done on it? Of course, I am assuming that a no-name branded Chinese wood flute will be like the no-name branded Chinese metal ones. Hey, who knows, maybe this brand is actually legit, and not an instrument-shaped piece of wood.

If you're set on a wood-type flute for outdoor concerts, have you checked out Guo? No, not wood, but also not at risk of cracking from weather.

>'Kat

[Pockocmoc]

Hello, yes you're right, I was just asking, but yeah... that's risky.
I heard about the Guo flutes, these flutes look weird, I would be curious to try them out!

Pock'

[SylvreKat]

Dr Potter has tested Guo's bass flute and while it comes in I believe she called it alarming colors, she found it surprisingly not too terrible an instrument. Not the same tonal range as metal basses, but a pro is it's way lighter than a metal bass. I think she also thought the keys were noisy. But not an unacceptable instrument if you can't afford or can't hold a metal bass.

I would bet their concert flutes are similar, a bit clattery and not so rich as wood but also lighter and not unacceptable.

If you decide to try Guo, please do come back with a report on how it plays!

>'Kat