poll - Best for $1000

Rayne · Post by **Rayne** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:43 pm

To go along with my post below...

In your opinions (and I realize this is going to be really varied) what would your #1 Brand/model picks be for $1000 or less? (open hole, b foot) There are a couple of different ones I'm looking at online and I'm just curious to see if there are others I should consider as well...so for what's out there now, what would your pick be?

I think I'm going to go to a music store in the next big town from here over the weekend to look around and see what they have there. It's been a good 8 years since I've played, so I can't exactly pick one up and start playing right away to try them out. It'll probably take me a little bit to warm back up, so I was hoping to get it narrowed down good before I head up there.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:54 pm

My pick would probably be the Pearl PF-665RBE Quantz. It's available from Fluteworld for $995.

Rayne · Post by **Rayne** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:57 pm

Interesting because I was just looking at that one. In fact, I just posted to my other thread about Pearls.

Thanks, I'll keep this one in mind.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:47 am

I like the pearl too. Also, I like the newer sterling armstrong flutes (303, 80 series etc) (you can get them sometimes for less than 1000 if the warranty has expired from the dealer). And the Gemeinhardt 3SB is pretty nice too (but you have to look hard for it at that price).

But yeah, I really like the pearl.

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:16 am

An Armstrong 303B is an excellent instrument for its price, usually under $800 (should be, anyway!). However, the head is silver but the body and keys are plated. Since the headjoint cut (foremost) and material are more important than the body, this is usually ok. A gently-used Armstrong 80 or 87 would be good, also--these are all silver, except the keys. These are both discontinued, but current enough to get parts, and quality was never an issue. They simply fell victim to restructuring at Conn upon their merger with Selmer. Several of my students have played these models rather happily and successfully.
The price shouldn't be related to the currency of the warranty (eh?), as reasonable dealers always sell below the listed retail price, anyway. The days of markups are long-past. The 800B is the replacement model for the 80B, and I like it a lot less than the 80s. The headjoint is a different cut and some other changes were made. BUT-- a choice of headjoints is available from Armstrong, so try them and choose the one you like. Most dealers likely will sell this one for just OVER $1000. I would also recommend a used Yamaha 400- or 500-series flute.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:31 am

MeLizzard wrote:I would also recommend a used Yamaha 400- or 500-series flute.

I'm not sure if the 500's are an option for under $1000. If you can find a source for one of these where the price is less than 1K, I would have to switch my allegiance over to the Yammies from the Pearls, but in the case that the Yamahas can't be had for under 1K, I would take the Pearl.

sherbert789 · Post by **sherbert789** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:43 pm

How about the Yamaha 300 series? I've never actually tried one of these, but the 400s are such solid instruments that the 300s with the exact same headjoint must be quite solid also.

Good luck!

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:09 pm

Well I like the 500's (with the EC head) but the 400's and 300's have essentially the same cut of head as the student (200 series) flutes, so tonewise they are pretty much the same. They are nonetheless, very solid, dependable instruments, and certainly are worthy of consideration.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:18 pm

Alright evidently my earlier post shows how long it has been since I went flute shopping in the intermediate range......

Yeah, I got my Armstrong 303 for $900. But at the time the retail was higher (like $1100 or something), and I got it for less, because the music store was selling it at retail, but the warranty ran out (how I have no idea, but they knocked off a few hundred, and gave me some extra stuff).

I do like the Armstrongs (I love my flute *Armstrong 303B*, but I have simply outgrown it, and need a new one for college and beyond).

I didn't know about the selmer-conn merger. that makes me sad.

But I still like them.

sherbert789 · Post by **sherbert789** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:55 pm

I have to agree, the EC headjoint is superior.

Does anyone know which headjoint cut is on the Yamaha Allegro flute? I remember trying out one of those and really liking the sound of the instrument about a year ago (I didn't end up with a Yamaha, I play a Sankyo now).

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:08 pm

I believe the 400 series Allegro has a CY head.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:31 pm

Emerson Omega. These replaced the Selmer Omega series about three years ago and are MUCH better flutes at right under $1000. If I were to buy a flute right off of the shelf, it would be one of these. I have yet to play one that does not do what I want it to do. I also like the Pearl 665.

Rayne · Post by **Rayne** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:47 pm

Awesome, you've all given me lots to think about.

I have good news, too. My son's sitter actually played flute and isn't going to be playing this year so she dropped her flute off tonight so I can borrow it for a while. I'm going to go get some fingering charts and easy music and try to refresh myself a bit before buying one. Now that I have one to play for a bit, I won't be looking to buy for another month or so and I might just bump the price range up a little more when I do buy.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:20 pm

That's awesome! Good luck relearning!

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:43 pm

Here are my 3 picks for under $1000

1. Pearl 665 Quantz
2. Armstrong 80 series.
3. Jupiter 611

Although I own a Yamaha 514, but I think that 300 series is a waste. The 300 series is nothing more than the 200 series with a silver headjoint. The silver headjoint plays exactly the same as the silver plated one. Where Yamaha breaks away from the student models is the 400 and 500 series where they start using the EC headjoint.