Please help - Repair or Purchase

[ElseaSparkle]

Hi. I read the other responses to repair or replace, but I need additional guidance.
I have a Selmer-Bundy (student) flute that is 50 years old. Do I bring it up to speed - it leaks air so probably needs new pads - it has never had pads replaced. Two brands I have looked at on Amazon are the Lazarro nickel-plated 120-NK for 79.00 or an Aileen Lexington silverplated for 119.00.
If I have to spend more than 100.00 to replace the pads, then I would probably buy new. I've called repair shops, but nobody wants to give me any information over the phone without bring the Bundy in, and the shops are quite a drive away.
What do you think? Thank you!

[pied_piper]

Don't waste your money buying a new flute that costs much less than $500. Better student flutes will cost close to $1000. If you buy a $100 new flute, you are essentially buying a disposable flute that might last you a year or less. Bundy Flutes were work horses of their day, but now there are much better flutes available. At 50 years of age, your Bundy likely needs some TLC, but it may be a better investment to just buy a good working used flute. However, buying used flutes online can be risky because it could also need lots of work. If you can't spend over $500, I would recommend visiting the nearest music store or repair shop to see what used instruments they might have for sale. If you buy from them you are getting a guarantee that it is in good playing condition and you won't get that with used instruments online. Look for something like a Yamaha 200 series flute (211, 221, 222, etc). New, those sell for close to $1000 but good used ones are often available under $500.

[Fluitekruid]

I agree with pied-piper. In your case, I would also have a look at second hand Azumi-flutes. Even the cheapest among them have quality keys and I find their tone at least as nicely balanced as Yamaha-flutes and they sound signifcantly sweeter to me.

[mareike]

I was in a similar situation last year, I was using a Bundy flute (don't remember which model) that I had been playing on for around seven years that I sent annually to the shop for cleaning and realignment. After seven years the plating was disgusting despite getting it cleaned and taking good care of it, and the pads were completely shot and needed repairs. We went to multiple shops and they all told me that my estimated cost would be a bit over $200 (I also apparently had a very small dent on the foot joint which contributed to that cost, although I still can't find whatever dent they said there was:/). At that point I was a junior in high school, and I planned on playing through my senior year and I was thinking about playing in college. As such, I personally decided to purchase an intermediate flute considering I wanted to continue on with flute for a number of years longer and I needed a flute that wasn't going to hold me back.

Essentially for your scenario I would say to take a look at how long you think you'll be playing the flute. If you are just planning on playing it for 1-2 more years, I would just repair your old flute or buy a cheap, new or used beginner flute (or rent! that's an even cheaper option). If you think you'll be playing for around 5 or more years and actually practice, I would most definitely look into upgrading to an intermediate flute. Obviously though if you're in high school and are going to go into music, a professional flute is the way to go (but they're not cheap so definitely think hard about that decision if that is your case!).

Like I said, in my case I switched from my Bundy to an intermediate flute (got a Di Zhao 500) and I couldn't be happier about it. Personally Bundy just wasn't a good brand for me, and in general there are many other brands out there that are better and much more capable and durable than a Bundy. If Bundy works for you that's great, but I recommend that whatever choice you make you stay away from that brand moving on.