Hi. I have just recently started playing the flute and I am interested in buying a flute. I would like it to be cheap [but playable] and in good condition. If anyone has any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it.

So far this is the flute I am considering... http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=1&TempID=2&STRID=212647&Method=3&CategoryID=240&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=8&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=

Andd.. possibly this one.. http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=2&TempID=3&STRID=212647&Method=3&CategoryID=240&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=8&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=

Thank you.

I have not heard of that brand, so I would be very weary of it. If you want a good starter flute and not one of those cheap off brands then I think that you would do better off with buying a good used brand name flute.

If interested I have several. I specialize in selling used flutes. Drop me a line if you are interested. I just got an Emerson that is in absolute brand new condition and a few Yamaha 225's that are also like new condition.

Yamaha is the best made IMHO, but I do like Emerson once I do my magic work on them.

I whole-heartedly agree with Kara. The Yamaha student flutes are the most reliable and ready-made beginner flutes available. Even if a new Yamaha flute isn't in your budget, you'd be better off getting a used student Yamaha than a new flute from a questionable manufacturer.

Also, as Kara mentioned, the new Emersons will play well with some tweaking. In my experience the Emersons and Armstrongs have a better sounding headjoint than the Gemeinhardts. If you do get an Emerson or Armstrong you'll definitely want to take it to a repair person for adjustment and mechanism silencers. However, these flutes are usually a third of the price of a Yamaha (if you live in the states) and the cost of the set-up should be less than $100.

Well lucky for any buyers then that do purchase any of my flutes because they are set up with silencers and are in perfect working order prior to sale. I have an Emerson that was bought just two months ago by someone who's daughter took it to band only ONE time and decided the flute wasn't for her. So, it is absoultely like new. I just got done tweaking it and putting silencers on it. It plays very nicely now and has a very clear sound to it. I wanted to keep it, but Lord knows I have too many already!

When I purchased my Gemeinhardt flute I chose it above an Armstrong and an Emerson as it was superior of the bunch. That was nearly 10 years ago and since then I don't believe the Selmer corporation has done much to improve upon those lines while Gemeinhardt has.

You MUST try out flutes in person or you will left with crap. Look at the workmanship, shoddy workmaship will stand out when you compare flutes to one another. Check to make sure the mechanism is responsive. Now if when you play them you find that the overall tone of one flute is vastly superior to others, but the mechanism is lacking... that can be adjusted for.

Now if this is a first flute and you haven't played before I would take Kara up on her offer as you will be better off with a reliable used flute from a trustworthy source than a new flute that you wouldn't be able to tell what is wrong with it.

And to clear the air of any notion that a Gemeinhardt doesn't produce a pleasant sound, here's a recording of me on a Gemeinhardt with the standard model J head, which definately puts out a much better sound than my Armstrong 104 and Pearl 505, at least for me:
http://www.upload2.net/download2/8w8BFuv9ZJ6STcy/gemeinhardt.mp3.html

In regards to the Gemeinhardt 2SP in particular which is the price range in question, the topic recently came up on the flute list:

In reply to a posting about the Gemeinhardt 2SP, I'd like to provide an update about exciting changes at Gemeinhardt. I'm sure Christina wrote honestly about her past experiences with the 2SP, but with the leadership of Dr. Gerardo Discepolo, president and CEO of Gemstone, a new 2SP was introduced at NFA 2005. Model changes include shimming and light creases on the pads for a better seal and more stability; headed pivot screws improve action and won't back out; a one piece rib and posts that flare at the base to increase stability; J1 headjoint buffed inside with an improved over cut for better sound; and stainless steel springs to improve durability and provide excellent mechanism action. Repair technicians all over the country have inspected the new 2SP in great detail. They are impressed. You can read the opinions of others, but the best way to know is to play one and discover for yourself what I feel is the best designed and best performing student instrument in the market today. As Director of Marketing at Gemstone I am in direct daily contact with players, great teachers, performers, and technicians. There is very good news about Gemeinhardt, especially the new 2SP.

For inquiring minds: Prior to joining Gemstone, Discepolo was president of the Haynes Flute Company and vice president of Eastman Winds, led the flute division of Conn-Selmer and was vice president and director of marketing for Powell Flutes. Discepolo’s credentials include an MBA, a masters of music degree and an advanced degree in flute performance.

Thanks for the recommendations, but I looked at some Yamahas and Gemeinhardts at a website and they're out of my price range.. I'll try looking at different websites but so far I don't think I'll be able to buy one.

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And Kara, I may be interested. I sent you a message :)

I had a gemienhardt as a beginner flute. That's the only one they had at the store^_^..so i got that. I never knew there were any other brands out there. Yea..i was in 6th grade.. no one told be there were other brands. So, i just learned how to adapt to that flute..i guess..i think i got mine for $300. Try going to www.usedflutes.com...they have a lot of beginner used flutes, in good condition

Thanks for the website, schoolgirl.

Insider info:
Gemeinhardt is now part of Gemstone Corporation. Gerardo moved from Emerson to be under Conn-selmer. Got out of there, went to Haynes for a really brief time and they were bought by Eastman Strings (chinese Parent company) and then went to Gemstone. He's moved around like a hot potato!

Gemeinhardt moved it's manufacturing base of operations to Angel Manufacturing in Taiwan

Here's a link to the old press release

http://www.gemeinhardt.com/media/pressAngel.html

The student gemeinhardt is no better than anything else comprable out there. Don't buy too much into the hype. Gerardo is no slouch at marketing...

For what it's worth, any of the mainline entry level flutes can be made to play pretty well after a competent tech has serviced them out of the box. Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Armstrong, Jupiter are all mainline standard flutes.

The stuff to look out for are the names you don't recognize. That's because many people can go to a chinese factory and have student flutes made really cheaply and have their own name put on them. So there are hundreds of these flutes out there with hundreds of different names.

If you are shopping for a student flute and need to now if it is a standard model or a Chinese "stencil", you can get an average price by comparing the street prices of the reputable makers.

A $200 can play just fine out of the box. The problem is, they are not designed to last more than 6 months to a year.

Unfortunately the drop out rate in school band programs and current social trend has given us a flood of temp instruments to fuel this need..

Joe B

Alright, thanks. I probably won't buy the ones that I was considering, then. I saw one or two flutes that I'm interested in on useflutes.com.. So, my choice probably depends on how much Kara's flutes will cost.

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Bundy Flute Nickle Silver Finish USED

Excellent condition, pads good, ready to play. Cleaning rod and original hard case included. Just needs to be polished. Asking $125 plus shipping cost.

There's one I saw. I'm still looking, though. This one seems kinda cheap and I'm thinking that it's not in very good condition as the author says.

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GEMEINHARDT 3SHB LOW B FOOT FLUTE! $375.00
This is a nice Gemeinhardt 3SHB solid silver head flute with open holes and a low b foot in very good shape, no dings or dents, just some light finish scratches. Pads are in good playing shape, ready to go. comes in very nice French style case. Shipping will be $14 with insurance. Price is $375.00

How does that sound?

The student gemeinhardt is no better than anything else comprable out there. Don't buy too much into the hype.

Which is why one MUST try out different flutes. The flutes mentioned, Armstrong & Emerson, are certainly no better and can be much worse. In addition Pearl student flutes, in particular their 505, model has a horrid headjoint and shaky mechanism components (felt/cushy silencers).

There are really no other new flutes in the $200-500 price range.

There is Yamaha in the $700 price range, which would certainly be better than $200 flutes from Gem, etc. However not necessarily better than $700 from Gem, Jupiter, etc.

Then there are used flutes. Which can be disastrous unless you make sure you can return the used flute you purchase or at least focus on local classifieds. I've seen quality flute brands with keywork bent all out of sorts by children who should never have had such flutes, so buyer beware, the parents truly have no idea how bad those flutes have become.

Yamaha, Pearl, Powell, Miyazawa, Altus, Trevor James, etc all make musical instruments in Taiwan. It is apparant on the body of the instrument the country of origin by either saying Japan, USA, Germany, England, or nothing (Taiwan or other places). It really doesn't matter. In time every sub-$2000 flute will probably come from Tawian or other countries like Indonesia, wherever cheap labor is.

Excellent advice Stephen,

I tend to agree with your assessment of where things are headed.

A Gemmie 3SHB for $375 is not too bad a price if it's in mint condition. But there's no way to know until you get it in. Just make sure there is some type of return policy if you can't play it before you buy it.

A student model repad generally runs @ $200 US. So if you know what a new one can be bought for add $200 to the price and see how close it comes to buying a new one.

My quick rule of thumb for cost of a used student flutes is 1/2 what you can buy a new one for if it's in playing condition. Many can use $75-$125 worth of work and a worst case scenario is a repad.

Joe B

Hopefully I will be able to go to a music store today and look at some flutes that they have.

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Thanks for all the advice. I'll see if I will be able to send this flute back, if it is not in good condition

Sotumariku, I did get your message. Thanks. I just wrote you back. Hopefully one of those flutes will fit what you are looking for. I fogot to add in the message that I can also add a gemstone to the crown on any flute.

As far as construction durability and sound, I still stand by what I say that Yamaha is superior to all of them no matter what anyone else says. Just my opinion after servicing many other brands.