looking to upgrade my flute

sharong · Post by **sharong** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:10 pm

I'm planning to buy a new flute and need some help. I'm currently playing a Gemeinhart M3S. I've been playing this flute for 30 years. I've been leaning toward Pearl, Gemeinhardt and Yamaha. I'm looking for around the price range of $1500-$3000. I'm looking for something I can play from here on out. One thing I'm wondering about is solid silver vs silver plated body. My Gemeinhardt is solid silver so I think I have to have solid silver and this may not be that necessary. I know the best thing to do is just go to the music store and try several flutes, but I just wanted to get some opinions of other flute players.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 8:34 pm

Definately play many before buying! I also played a Gemeinhardt for many years. When I first decided to upgrade, I followed my instincts that told me to buy another one. It was a huge mistake which led to one nightmare to another. The flute was eventually sent back to the company, replaced, and sold. To be perfectly honest, they are not made as well as in the past. I have a Pearl that I love dearly with no troubles. I have a student with a Pearl that had many problems

Yamahas are well made, but I personally don't sound good on them. Use your best judgement.

In your price range, you may also want to consider a Muramatsu EX. It has a plated body, but is handmade, a definate step up. Miyazawa also makes a flute in your price range (maybe 2), but I am not up on their models. Sankyo is also one to look at.

You should have no trouble finding a good flute in your price range. Just try as many as you can before making a decission. Good luck

flute princess xX · Post by **flute princess xX** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:31 pm

Okay, before you buy, definately try them out! Gemeinhardt and Yamaha and Pearl are great brands but, there are many others ou there t look at. don't just try those 3 brands try others, too. I have a Delphi flute. My friend has a Buffet, its an excellent french flute with a gold lip plate and open holed. it plays perfectly!! i wish i had hers. but, i love mine, too. 24k gold plated keys! open holed. no airy sound like there always was on my old one. i love it!

Think others! Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Pearl, Buffet, Delphi, Blessing, Artley, Armstrong, Selmer, Emerson, and Jupiter! ALL GREAT BRANDS!

wouldn't hurt to look, right??

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:56 pm

I doubt this helps the original poster since it has been about 5 months, but with the exception of Buffet, Blessing and Delphi, they are all good makers of student/intermediate line flutes. Those three makes are questionable in quality, and I would not recommend them, but otherwise, do try as many flutes of different makes and models as possible. You'll want to pick the flute that suits you best, and the only way to figure out which that is is through play testing.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:28 pm

yeah, I have only seen Buffet Clarinets. Although from what I have heard from my clarinet playing friends, Buffet is an excellent CLARINET brand.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:37 am

Chris

Now you are slamming my flute brand.....oh lawd!!!!

Just like there different levels of other brands, this is the case for Buffet Flutes. I have owned a Buffet/Crampton International model for the last 8 years. it is an excellent instrument. Infact, until I bought my Pearl, it was my number one flute. I still play on it quite a bit, because people like the sound, and because I got it fitted with a wood headjoint.

The newer Buffet Flutes are made in Taiwan, but they are still good instruments. I will agree they do not play as good as the model I have.

I will say this. most of the manufactures that moved their operations to Asia have suffered the same fate when it comes to quality.

Phineas

briolette · Post by **briolette** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:34 am

Buffet also makes top of the line oboes too...

Actually, I have played on a Buffet/Crampton flute and I recall it being a nice instrument with great key response. I could get a nice full sound with a lot of edge in the low register. I really liked the way the headjoint was cut. I'm not up on their intermediate and professional models, but the student flute I played was much better than some of the "intermediate" models from other makers that have crossed my path.

Ya know, I really like my Gemindhart--even though it isn't a top of the line instrument, it just responds well to me. I do think construction has gone downhill over the years though. I read a lot about adjusting screws coming out, clanky key work, etc. and that hasn't happened with mine. I also loved my Emerson 88B I played in highschool. I don't think that instrument was even more than a $1000 at the time, but I got a lot more out of it than my more expensive Yamaha. I guess the bottom line is as so many people mentioned to try a bunch of flutes out.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:52 pm

As always, bias comes into play when suggesting flute brands, and it seems that I fell victim. I did not mean to "slam" anyone's flute of choice, but have played Buffet flutes, and can say I was not at all satisfied with them (tone or intonation wise). They also all seemed to have mechanical issues, though all of that may have more to do with the date of manufacture than the brand as a whole, as we do know that even the best makers have good years and bad.

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:35 pm

I was kind of lurking, inattentive to detail, but in this price range, there are lots of pretty-good flutes. One of my students last year bought a Muramatsu EXB, around $2700, and loves it. This flute has a silver head and plated body, and is handmade. I could easily recommend it over some similarly-priced, all-silver flutes of lesser craftsmanship.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:33 am

flutepicc06

I was only slamming you dude. I did not mean that statement to be defensive. It just seems you have been a target lately, and I was just slapping the wound. Fret not, my turn will come!

Phineas

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:36 am

Alright Phineas!