What's the point of a solid silver gemeinhardt

[gerardo1000]

I have the opportunity to buy for $ 600.00 a vintage Gemeinhardt M3 S solid silver head joint and body, open holes, completely overhauled and brought to new condition buy a retired Gemeinhardt technician. The flute looks beautiful and it is really like new.
I am still at a student level and It seems to me that it plays nice but I do not have the experience to judge its quality compared to other possible brands. I read almost everywhere that Gemeinhardt and Armstrong are good student flutes but they are not to be considered when someone looks for a real step up. Following this , I assume then that to spend money on a solid silver Gemeinhardt is a waste of money ? I mean, I get a solid silver flute but still a student flute performance and sound ?
Thank you for your opinion.

[Phineas]

I have the opportunity to buy for $ 600.00 a vintage Gemeinhardt M3 S solid silver head joint and body, open holes, completely overhauled and brought to new condition buy a retired Gemeinhardt technician. The flute looks beautiful and it is really like new.
I am still at a student level and It seems to me that it plays nice but I do not have the experience to judge its quality compared to other possible brands. I read almost everywhere that Gemeinhardt and Armstrong are good student flutes but they are not to be considered when someone looks for a real step up. Following this , I assume then that to spend money on a solid silver Gemeinhardt is a waste of money ? I mean, I get a solid silver flute but still a student flute performance and sound ?
Thank you for your opinion.

1. The player is what makes the flute sound good, not what the flute is made of! Anyone who tells you any different is full of it. Flute design is more for the player than the audience. I have proven time and time again that I can sound just as good on a cheap flute as an expensive one. As long as the flute is playable. If you do not like how you sound, practice will take you farther than flute dollars.

2. It does not matter the "level" of the flute. If you like it, can afford it, and can play on it, then just play the d&&n thang. Again, flutes are made for the player, not the audience. If you have $20000 dollars to spend on a 14k Gold Flute and you are a beginner then buy it! It will not hurt anything but your bank account.

3. What you gain by getting better flutes is better playability. The ability to play more easily, and more expressive. These things are based mostly on personal taste.

In the end, brands do not matter much. Brands are just a guide line for quality. No playable/durable instrument is a waste of money. You will just like some flutes more than others. When you start playing more often on a higher level, your needs will change as a player, and so will your flute collection,

That is my .02

Phineas

[Flatfive]

Interesting question, and an interesting answer. It pretty much sums up my recent experience. I've come back to flute playing after a long absence and with a determination to "do it properly" this time.... it used to be my doubling up instrument. I decided to upgrade from my Buffet Crampon 228 and eventually bought a Trevor James Cantabile III, because it just seemed right, regardless of the price.

I actually preferred it to an Altus flute I tried at nearly three times the price... now maybe that wouldn't be the case if I tried it again after a few more years experience. Following on from what Phineas said, I think that the old Buffet flute would have been fine, but the keys on the new TJ are definitely smoother and the whole experience is more pleasurable... I still play the Buffet sometimes to use as a bit of a yardstick, in other words, I improve by practising on the new TJ, but I can still hear the improvements on the old Buffet.

On the other hand, the reconditioned vintage flute you describe sounds great... if you like the way it plays I'd be tempted to spoil myself

[Gandalfe]

When I purchased a new Gemeinhardt 3SBH for $300, I liked it but as a doubler suffered the inherent learning curve for this reed player. I got a custom cut head on sale for another $300 and suddenly my Gemeinhardt spoke for me. YMMV, but part of the fun is seeking that sound that you want. Good luck!

[JButky]

The player is what makes the flute sound good, not what the flute is made of! Anyone who tells you any different is full of it.

Amen! Preach it Brother Phineas!