Haynes sold to Eastman

[vampav8trix]

Does anybody know what year Haynes was sold to Eastman? Somewhere around 2000??

Thank you

[pied_piper]

From the Eastman website About page (http://www.eastmanmusiccompany.com/about_page.php)

"Eastman purchased America’s oldest flute company, William S. Haynes, in 2004."

[vampav8trix]

You wouldn't happen to know the serial numbers for 2004? I am looking at a new Haynes flute with a serial number starting with 67xxx. I am wondering if it is pre Eastman. It still sounds fantastic.

ooops I just found the answer. I typed the serial number into my phone wrong. Haynes doesn't have any flutes that start with 67xxx.

Thanks

[fluteguy18]

That sounds correct to me. All Haynes flutes are produced in China now except for the highest model(s). The top tier line is produced in Boston once again. A lot of finishing of the upper end models is done in Boston now I believe. Even though Finley has said a lot about this publicly the line between Chinese and American made is still fuzzy.

[cflutist]

One way to tell would be to see what is engraved on the barrel, my backup flute (the handmade soldered tonehole model) says Boston, Mass.

FG18, perhaps this fuzziness is why Haynes seems to have fallen a bit out of favor? I noticed that used Haynes flutes don't command the prices that say Powell or Brannen do.

[fluteguy18]

That and quality control I believe are the reasons. Certain flute retailers won't carry anything Haynes unless they are the top tier flute (all US based production). But from what I've been seeing, Finley is slowly turning that all around (thank goodness).