Here we are again - I bought a SIMBA flute on Ebay, anybody know anything about that brand? Then I got a Bundy/Selmer flute without serial #, but with the SELMER stamped on the neck. What a difference in the tone ! So I assumed the Selmer/Bundy was a better name and got another one for $17 plus $15 shipping (I'm just a beginner, so not spending a lot) and it's advertised with the serial # 549977 and I thought it was stamped SELMER, but I see it's stamped BUNDY - is there a difference in quality with this information that you can tell? I'm still waiting for the 3rd one to arrive so can't check it out. And again I ask, where can I find out the history on these serial #'s - and if not, then why do they make such a case out of advertising the serial # ????Thanks..

1. Selmer makes/made Bundy flutes. I am not sure of the difference--but it's kind of like a Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge type of deal, I suppose.

2. There are no flute serial numbers that I can find on the Selmer web site. You can email Selmer customer service if you are interested. The only thing it will tell you, really, is the year of manufacture.

3. Ebay sellers post serial numbers to prove that the flute is not stolen.

Pickled is right. Bundys were (I don't believe they are being produced any more, at least not under that name) the lowest end of the range produced by Selmer. Selmers were higher quality instruments, though they were produced by the same folks. Think along the lines of Sonare and Powell. The Sonares do the job, but the actual Powells are much nicer instruments. Simbas are cheap imports and that flute likely will not last you long. They are notoriously poor quality, and can have major issues when repair becomes necessary, as they are often built of pot metal, which is extremely soft and hard to work with.

PHOOF - so the first Selmer will be the better quality and this Bundy might not be much better than the Simba?! better luck next time I guess - - -Thanks.

No, the Bundy should be significantly better than the Simba, but it most likely not play as well as the Selmer. How well in repair each flute is will also affect how it plays.

wasn't Simba a character from Lion King?

>>wasn't Simba a character from Lion King?<<

Yes. The one we have is stuffed. From what I've read here, the flutes by that name should be stuffed, too. It's certainly not going to be King any time soon. Or even Bundy. Even Al Bundy.

Good quality flute for sale - From the Lion King - anyone interested ? I've been told the Simba is a piece of junk, and after comparing the 2, I believe it - the Selmer had such a nicer tone and played so much easier and I'm only a beginner and could tell the difference. But I manage to play accompanement for hymns singing, etc. in a family setting, nothing special, on the Simba, it's shiny and no dents or anything, and they tell me the pads are in good shape . . ..so what can I get for it on Ebay? !HA !!

Where do you find an email address for Bundy/Selmer customer service to write and ask for history of my new Bundy flute Serial # 549977 ? Thanks

What's the next quality up from the Selmer brand flute? My friend has a real rich sounding tone from the Selmer, but he could likely do better on a better quality flute, so what's the next higher range ?? And a general price range for it? Thanks.

The main website is:
http://www.conn-selmer.com/

They have a list of serial numbers, though after a quick scan, I didn't actually see any Bundys:
http://www.conn-selmer.com/content/resources/serialno.php

I don't believe the Selmer company ever produced truly professional level flutes. I have what may be one of the closest (a solid (not sterling) silver open hole model from roughly the early-to-mid 70's that used to be my dad's), but I do not know of any flutes from them nicer than this one. I don't know the specs of the flute you have, but they did produce some decent solid silver flutes. Nowadays, they don't build many flutes above the student level. If you want something more advanced, you'll probably want to look at a different company's products in the intermediate/introductory professional range, which would probably cost you from $1500 up new, but possibly less used.

Sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm wondering about which brand would be the next quality up from the Selmer - I read some listings in the forum that suggest an Armstrong for beginners, but maybe we're beyond that level and should go to something better? What's your suggestion?! Jupiter or ???

What are the specs of your flute? Open hole or closed? B or C foot? Silver plate or solid silver?

Ha !! I won't pass this test, so you'll consider me a beginner for sure - I know it's closed hole, and that's all I know - - what's the c foot or b foot? And how do you tell if it's silver or plated or what? ! The listing on Ebay is too old to bring back up to get details on whatever they listed for me. . . sorry