In answer to these questions: I last had a Yamaha. Sorry to admit that but it was OK. DC is better. Yamaha was a C flute. I found my Yamaha again and it does feel very small now!

I am not really qualified mechanically, but I don`t see any obvious weak points. Nothing looks flimsy or likely to drop off. Might be better to check that with the shop owner. His ads on EBay go into quite a bit of detail too.

Cheers, Mike

In answer to Kippsix qu`s;

I wanted to buy an alto for years, but the price was offfputting when you have children you won`t buy another ipod for and wife you won`t give an Aston Martin for her birthday. So price was the initial attraction I have to admit, and there was arisk involved, which was why I originally posted.

My background: I have played part time professionally, albeit in a band doubling up with sax. I learned at school and did all the exams. I do something else for a living now, but play all the time at home.

As far as mechanicals go, I would put extremely little trust in the comments of any party involved with sales.

SEE! I KNEW that D.C.s were good! (I`m not rubbing it in anyone`s face, I am just excited to see people who are finding D.C.s a quality flute) They are pretty reliable...I only had to take mine in once and that was for something so small they didn`t even charge me for it. Please, Kara, go and get one! They are much cheaper than a renouned name and play the same as high quality flutes!

I`ve been checking into DC Pro flutes and am considering the base model as a Christmas present for my daughter who just began playing (she`s nine). They seem like they are a good deal so I welcome any comments. The base model is $199 (listed at $525 I think). That`s quite a bit less than other name brand models. Also DC Pro flutes come witha 5 year warranty.

D.C.`s are a bit heavier than other models, but, it would make a nice present! D.C.`s are more an intermediete flute, also, but if your daughter is a good player already... I am teaching my younger sister on mine, who is 10, and it works fine for her. Have you asked her director what he would recommend or is she being taught by someone other than a band director? Usually, you can pick a flute based on how well the player is doing and how far you think she will advance in the next few years. I am a little wary of fully recommending a D.C. for a beginner, but, then again, it will save the cost of up-grading when it comes to that time. And, since they are cheaper than most and pretty flashy, it will save some money and look expensive.
I strongly think that her teacher should be asked what he or she thinks your daughter is ready for.

Jessie,
Can you explain how DCPro flutes are more of an "intermediate" flute than a beginner? I would think it would be helpful to this person to have the difference explained.

If a modern student flute plays with better scale, tone, response, projection than a 30 year old professional flute... is the professional flute now a student flute or is the student flute professional?

If you put the standard Gemeinhardt headjoint on a Muramatsu flute and put a modern Muramatsu headjoint on a Gemeinhardt body... which is the better flute?

The DC pro flutes come in your basic student flute (closed hole) flute and then they have an intermediate one (open hole) flute. The student flute is built like any other student flute, so I fail to understand why the student flute would not suit a beginner?

Personally, I would never mix a Gemindhart with any other flute...
I think that it is basic to understand intermedite and beginner flutes, but I remembered a thread about D.C`s about a year ago that had a whole discussion on whether or not they were a good flute for beginners which involved me getting bashed, so I remembered. Sorry if I was vague (And I also apologize for my spelling; I am in a bit of a rush...)

Just a comparison as I have made the comparison between Muramatsu and Gemeinhardt physically. When you get a chance to play with a bunch of head joints and flutes you appreciate things differently.

Yeah, I suppose!