repair or replace

[Pol]

I know almost nothing (just finished reading your FAQ, so now I do know something) about flutes. My wife has a Biltmore flute that she used in high school and college. It has been rebuilt twice (the first time after smoke damage from a house fire). It has sat for a number of years and needs serviced. She is interested in picking up the flute again. Am I better off repairing or replacing her flute?

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

[Phineas]

If she likes the flute, get it repaired. If a technician tells you it is not worth repairing, that is the only time I would consider a new flute.

[Kshel]

I would get a repair quote first. If it needs an overhaul, it may be worth buying a new instrument. I don't know much about the Biltmore brand, but there are a lot of great flutes out there today that were not available even as few as five years ago.