Fluteland.com Flute Message Board

They also, at least with my experiances with these ones, honestly want to find the flute that would be the best fit for your daughter and your budget and wouldn't push you to get more than you should. Just explain the situation with any one of them and they would be more than happy to help you.

The original poster on this thread seemed to be in a bit of a hurry
to get his daughter back into a working flute so this post is
probably a little late for his use, but I thought I would add this as
a bit of a followup from my earlier posts here.
Technically, I suppose a real step-up model, in my book, at least,
in a Pearl brand would be something like the PF661, which has a solid silver head-joint.
One in pristine condition sold for $455 on EBay.
What I would like to have at some future point,
based on my experience with the 501.

Edit to remove link which no longer works.

I hv one Barrington Model 229.
Actually ,it cost me $220.It is a really nice musical instruments .
Your daughter has the talent on flute ,then I think this model is good for her.

Good info here, thanks! Came with sort of the same question. I want to take up the flute again after not playing in many years; old flute is long gone, but think it was a Bundy. Was looking to pick something up as cheap as possible, since I would just be playing for myself, but some of the warnings around this site and elsewhere have me nervous about the eBay ones I was looking at. I actually had a little experience adjusting the screws and all on my old flute, but doubt I could get a bad one in playing condition and it seems that shops won't often work on the cheap Chinese made ones. I admit I absolutely love the look of some of the lacquered ones, but everything I read says stay away it seems? Would they be THAT bad for someone just wanting to mess around and learn a bit again at home? Some of what I'm reading has me thinking now that rather than eBay, maybe I should just take my nice Leon Aubert viola (never play it anymore) to a store and see if I could get trade-in value towards something really nice.

Check this out.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6136

It is possible to find a Chinese colored flute that is playable. It will just not be as durable. The real art is finding a place to buy one that is playable. The reason that it is referable to buy an instrument from a known and trusted place is support. You can get a flute for pretty cheap if you know what you are doing, and have a realistic expectations.

All I can tell you is, if you want it buy it. If you cannot play on it, send it back. If you buy one and it becomes unplayable over time and noone will work on it, turn it into a lamp, and buy another one. If you want something more durable, spend a few more dollars.

Phineas

Good point@

Thanks!! I know from looking around on the site of the university I work for that we do have a flute professor here-- I'm half tempted to e-mail her and see if she has any recommendations of where to buy locally. Just worried that might be a little rude, out of the blue like that. I only plan on playing it at home, perhaps maybe once in awhile bringing it with me on trips to the mountains, and I'm very careful with everything I own so durability shouldn't be a huge problem, though I know accidents happen. Also, the cheap one may just be til I find out if I do want to get more serious again, at which time I might be able to invest more. A book I checked out from the library here from 1980, How to Love Your Flute, seems to have some good basic care instructions to help out.

ETA: I'm half tempted to grab this before someone else does- $85 shipped with BIN, and even if it isn't perfect, at least shops will work on a Gemeinhardt- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT I know the seller has 0 FB but with PayPal at least I'd get my money back if I do get ripped off.

ETA2: Bought it! For that price figured it was worth the risk, should be fine for me to practice on at least. Was a little concerned because I've heard sometimes they try to unload stolen items quickly with low BINs, but if that were so, I doubt they'd post such a clear pic of the serial number like that? I know musical instruments are a big target though; always heard of band rooms getting hit and even one of my teachers found her stolen trumpet in a pawn shop.

I personally think Geimenhardts are the best student flutes, preferably the 4S, they run around 300 dollars and are amazing

Well, to follow up, extremely happy with my Gemeinhardt. Sounds better than the flutes I had in school; great shape, only the tiniest physical blemishes. I also went ahead and sniped one of the no-name pink flutes off eBay too real cheap (thirty-something $), just as one to travel and mess around with-- sounds pretty decent actually, high notes harder though, and of course realize it may not last.

My advice would be to call the flute speciality houses, e.g. Carolyn Nussbaum, Flute World, J.L. Smith. These people have degrees in Flute Performance and can make educated recommendations for your daughter. They also can send flutes out on trial so that your daughter can try different models. They also discount to some degree.