This issue has repeatedly come up in other threads. I just came across the folling intesting info. I don`t know if it is correct, but here it is:

"A) Yamaha closed hole student flutes. Very durable, easy to find second hand, easy to get a good tone on. Avoid the purchase of any Yamaha flutes with an `A` in the serial number as these were assembled during Yamaha`s American quality control problem years. No `A` in the serial number means Japanese assembled and therefore durable and high resale value."

From http://www3.telus.net/Garry_McKevitt/childflut.htm

Remember that this is referring to "these were assembled during Yamaha`s American quality control problem years." Yamaha is still assembling flutes in America. They generally are assembled and work fairly well compared to the competition from what I`ve seen.

What this statement doesen`t address is, what were the problem years where assembly was below standard. It would have been ice if thhat ws posted instead of making people shy away from U.S. made Yamahas altogether as an end result. I believe that they date back a few years now and buying one of those less common older flutes is less of a possibility in most areas of the U.S.

~Bilbo

I don`t believe Yamaha uses a country lettering on their flutes anymore... yet they are still "made" outside of Japan.

Anyone see a new Yamaha with an A serial number lately?