Hi everyone! I've been cruising around the internet, searching for an Eb soprano flute to purchase and add to my flute family. In my wanderings, I've run across a couple of Gemeinhardt flutes being advertised on Amazon.com as "Soprano" flutes and also found this curious quote on the beginband.com website.
"There are several types of flutes but the beginning (soprano) flute is by far the most popular. Other versions of flutes include “open hole” flutes which are much more expensive and not suitable for beginners. Serious high school students and virtually all professional flautists use open hole flutes. "
It seems to me that they're referring to the standard C concert flute, as are the Gemeinhardts for sale on Amazon.com. Or am I missing something? Anyone else run into this?
PJ
p.s. If anyone has a lead on an Eb soprano flute, let me know! Is there a flute manufacturer that makes them today or are they all vintage?
Flute Shopping 101: stick with reputable dealers/sources. Places like Amazon have such a vast inventory of stuff varying in quality from a tin can to top of the line... whatever you can imagine costing thousands of dollars. If you want to locate a good instrument stick with dealers like FluteWorld or Flute Specialists.
Most Eb flutes are vintage, but I did come across an individual who purchased a new one, made of wood from California. It didn't play that well and needed some serious work (probably an overhaul. Even though it was new the toneholes needed leveled and the pads were of the thick wet-and-clamp student variety which didn't work for this instrument).
Otherwise I would really recommend looking in less than expected places. You can sometimes find vintage Eb flutes in places like goodwill, pawn stores, flea markets, old music stores, ebay etc. The reason they show up in these places is because people clear out old storage places and don't know what they're worth. As a result they tend to be sold cheaply. The only advice I give you on this is to research brands before you go shopping/treasure hunting, and be willing to take a slight gamble. They'll definitely need some TLC from a qualified flute specialist technician. A friend of mine once found a brand new Eb flute in a music store being sold for $50. She almost bought it for me but didn't have the cash on hand. Why was it so cheap? They cleaned out their store-room and were clearing out sale-able vintage inventory. Sometimes schools will have one laying around (as well as a Db piccolo) if it's an older music program. They might be willing and able to sell instruments they can't use.
I would just recommend avoiding places where you'll get something new that is little more than a flute-shaped piece of pot metal.
Did you manage to find a Eb flute? I noticed the same thing about the soprano flutes being advised on amazone when I wanted to purchase a Eb flute several years ago. Seeing as the geimenharts on amazon are the only ones being advertised as such I tent to ignore such postings.
Seeing as I live in Europe and as far as I know the Eb flute never being used in a regular setting over here I did have to resort to the more paved road in flute searching. So on-line, and then people seem to be better informed about what they are selling and what someone is willing to pay for it.
I ended up with a Reynolds flute via usedflutes.com, not the most known of brands but it works fine for playing at home once a month or so. I believe there is a Armstrong being advertised on sideblown.com should you still be on the look out
______________________________
"Without music life would be a mistake."
Friedrich Nietsche
fluteguy18 wrote:Flute Shopping 101: stick with reputable dealers/sources. Places like Amazon have such a vast inventory of stuff varying in quality from a tin can to top of the line... whatever you can imagine costing thousands of dollars. If you want to locate a good instrument stick with dealers like FluteWorld or Flute Specialists.
Most Eb flutes are vintage, but I did come across an individual who purchased a new one, made of wood from California. It didn't play that well and needed some serious work (probably an overhaul. Even though it was new the toneholes needed leveled and the pads were of the thick wet-and-clamp student variety which didn't work for this instrument).
Otherwise I would really recommend looking in less than expected places. You can sometimes find vintage Eb flutes in places like goodwill, pawn stores, flea markets, old music stores, ebay etc. The reason they show up in these places is because people clear out old storage places and don't know what they're worth. As a result they tend to be sold cheaply. The only advice I give you on this is to research brands before you go shopping/treasure hunting, and be willing to take a slight gamble. They'll definitely need some TLC from a qualified flute specialist technician. A friend of mine once found a brand new Eb flute in a music store being sold for $50. She almost bought it for me but didn't have the cash on hand. Why was it so cheap? They cleaned out their store-room and were clearing out sale-able vintage inventory. Sometimes schools will have one laying around (as well as a Db piccolo) if it's an older music program. They might be willing and able to sell instruments they can't use.
I would just recommend avoiding places where you'll get something new that is little more than a flute-shaped piece of pot metal.
Why you say research brands before treasure hunting?
I have a Selmer NY series 40, sterling silver, including keys, soldered tone holes, just overhauled for sale. I can be contacted at mark@mphillipsgallery.com
Is there a flute manufacturer that makes them today or are they all vintage?