Hello flute experts.

I am returning to the flute after playing it for a few years as a child. I am considering buying a yamaha 211 but it is 18 years old. It was serviced 8 years ago.

Do these things last well or is this just too old? Do flutes have a life span?

Try before you buy. Parents sell unplayable Yamaha flutes that their children have ruined, but have no idea since it looks okay to them.

Usually you want to get your flute cleaned, oiled, and adjusted every year or so. You need to play it before you decide to buy it since it hasn`t been repaired in 8 years. There could be lots of leaks and things like that which you can consult with the buyer. It doesn`t matter how old the flute, all that matters is that it`s in proper working order!

The model 211 was only made just a couple of years ago by Yamaha. Do you mean a 225?

YFL-211, and "YFL-211 SII" enjoyed a very long run, following the YFL-21.

211 was the standard basic model in many countries while USA`s basic model had a different name, partly because other parts of the world more readily embraced the `split-E` mechanism which is on the 211.

They are good flutes, but there seemed to be on-going improvement to the all-important head design, so the newer the better.

But definitely get any flute you might purchased checked by a good technician. In a few seconds a good technician will see a whole host of expensive imminent problems that the buyer may not be aware of.

To `repad` a second hand flute may cost just as much as you pay for the flute.

Be aware also, that some flutes are sold as `repadded` when the job was so poorly done that it needs to be repeated before the flute will play well.

Thank you everyone for your help.

I played the flute and find it impossible to reach low d and c, and the upper registers sound breathy rather than pure and clear. I have no trouble with these notes on my friend`s flute. Have you got any suggestions as to what might be the problem and how expensive that might be? I live in the UK.

Thanks
Lorskimac

211 was the standard basic model in many countries while USA`s basic model had a different name, partly because other parts of the world more readily embraced the `split-E` mechanism which is on the 211.

Indeed, my 211 (bought in the UK) is about 13 years old now. It has an E mech as standard in UK as well. Oh it makes me nostalgic!

I think it`s pointless starting a new thread for my question so i`ll post it here as you have mentoned it :-)

What is standard in the U.K. and what is standard in the U.S.?

"I played the flute and find it impossible to reach low d and c, and the upper registers sound breathy rather than pure and clear. I have no trouble with these notes on my friend`s flute. Have you got any suggestions as to what might be the problem and how expensive that might be? "

If you are rusty on flute, then the problem is probably partly you. Some flutes accommodate scruffy embouchure & breath pressure better than others, even though they may both sound the same when played well.

Low note problems = leaks. They could be anywhere. Technician require - a GOOD one.

Problems with higher notes are more likely to do with the head... Perhaps the crown cork leaking (from drying out from lack of use?)or in the wrong position. It should be close to 17.3 mm from the centre of the embouchure hole. Check, using the mark on the cleaning rod if you have one. It could also be an air space between the cork and the `lower` metal disk at the end of the cork.

The price of servicing depends heavily on what servicing is needed. You need to consult a technician, WITH the flute.

Angelgirl, regarding `standard models`.

I used the word `standard` loosely, meaning a model that was easily available and played by many people. That could be one or several models, and may vary form location to location within a country, depending on the perspective of the various traders involved.

Also, the `standard` model changes from time to time, and the changes are getting quite frequent now, as manufacturers resort to more and more Asian manufacture.

Sok to find the meaning in your locality, find what is readily available.

OK

" played the flute and find it impossible to reach low d and c, and the upper registers sound breathy rather than pure and clear. I have no trouble with these notes on my friend`s flute. Have you got any suggestions as to what might be the problem and how expensive that might be? I live in the UK."

It sounds like a leak. Check the second octave C to see if you sound airy on that note. If you don`t, then it`s probably a leak or you are just overcompensating for the low and high notes.