http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-STERLING-SILVER-FLUTE-Model-581-Excellent_W0QQitemZ110252925457QQihZ001QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Stated in the auction...
"This Yamaha Model 581 is, in my opinion, one of the best professional models that Yamaha ever made. It was originally copied from the famous Powell flute."

I have never heard about this before. Has anyone else? I am very curious. I may be wrong, but I feel this is not true. I am always learning new things, so who knows...

Hi Kara,
I believe that certain things are correct.
The older 581 is a very good flute (Esp for that price). It has a nice feel (IMHO) that is probably better in feel than the newer 684 which has a retail price of $4,210.00 but you can get at FW for $2,699.00. Assuming this is a 581 made before the numbering change, it has SS tube/plated keys/gold springs/CY head so it plays strong and bright. It may have been modeled after the Powell. I think that certain aspects were back then but I'm not so sure that Yamaha didn't update the scale in their copying of the tone.

This one may be a good deal if you can get it near the starting bid but it may need work as it may have the original pads. Since the one that I have has the plated keys, they are getting a bit raw on the plating.

I have no doubt at all about the rest being correct. I know these are great flutes. I used to own one. I was just wondering about the part where they said it was modeled after a Powell. I am not interested in buying it right now, I was just curious. With the economy and gas prices and all, I am sure this one is going to go for a really good price too. Someone is going to get a bargain. Thanks for the reply Bilbo

Then I would say that relative to other concepts of tone at that time, I think that back then they didn't have so many choices for top-level sounding flutes. It would be probably more modeled after the Powell sound than any of the other earlier French stuff like the Bonneville, Lott, Rieve, and even Haynes.
I think that we are talking about the peak of Galway's fame and waning popularity of Rampal.So that lineage is in their minds. Even if Rampal didn't play Powell, he sounded "big". I remember R. Wilson playing the Ibert here .....big fat sounding flute. I don't remember what brand. I don't think it was Powell but it was a strong tone.

Just my thoughts.

its all marketing, there is this guy on Ebay who sells flutes from China who supposedly worked for Haynes for awhile, he claims he sets up the flutes and makes the headjoints in the Haynes style,

It's all BS and I called him on it, Haynes knows about it as well, all marketing..

Thanks Suzie. I did read that after I posted the topic. I didn't think to look down into the questions.

Patrick, I know who you are referring to. Have you seen his China made flute that is supposed to be a replica of a Haynes? There is just so much marketing BS on eBay that it is hard to sort out what is really the facts or truth anymore when looking on there.

I agree, and I think it's a great idea to call them on it, it's really a form of false advertising..when you call them on it, at least they have to state what they really mean...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SILVER-HEAD-PRO-MODEL-DC-PRO-FLUTE-LIST-2-198-00_W0QQitemZ120261364052QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

he actually has the audacity to say, compare with Haynes!!! at least if you scroll down he makes a feeble explanation

I agree about ebay going down hill. I don't sell or buy much anymore on there because of this thus not selling flutes much anymore. The last transaction I did was I bought a crap no name piccolo to use as decoration. I also bought it for the case because it supposedly came with a wood French style case as was pictured. I received it and it was nothing as pictured. The case that came with it was a cheapo plastic case that barely stayed latched. I even called the sellers and asked them why I didn't get the correct case. They basically said, too bad. I filed a Paypal claim because the seller refused a return and Paypal still ordered in their favor. So be careful dealing on there, 90% of what I have gotten is either totally different then what is pictured or very misrepresented. It is so sad. No one seems to have a conscience anymore. It is getting to be all one big scam. Is there any honest people left anymore? People only care about one thing on there... to make their money. There are the rare sellers that of course that are good people that are not out to scam anyone. When I bought my Muramatsu EX on there is was as described to the T! It seems to be that if a person that actually PLAYS the flute and are selling one seem to be much more trustworthy. Just something I have noticed.
Notice how many flutes are referred to being like a Yamaha, Haynes or Powell when in fact they are nothing like one.
Or here is a good one...
It has open holes so it is a professional model. Or how about the famous extra B key which makes it a pro model. *Gags!*



<Added>

Suzie, that is a really bum deal. Even if you took a picture of the dent and sent it to Paypal they could still say that you did it. There is no way around that. Usually Paypal rules in the favor of the buyer. Notice that sellers can no longer give negative feedback?

Oh wait... here is yet another one! lolol!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/PICCOLO-EARLY-1900s-ITALY-SOLDERED-TONE-HOLES-FRANKLIN_W0QQitemZ130223729587QQihZ003QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I always enjoy reading this lady's auctions.

<Added>

And for your viewing pleasure.,...
http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUTE-VERY-RARE-2-PIECE-F-E-OLDS-SON-SILVER-1900-NR_W0QQitemZ130223728832QQihZ003QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So, her repair tech couldn't tell that it was silver plated when I can tell just by looking at the tennon of the headjoint in a picture??? Silver plated flutes tarnish just as bad and black as solid silver. I don't know why people say these type of things on ebay all the time.

"They need a book of 'Buying Flutes on eBay for Dummies' or something!"
Well put. I think that someone posted a help page for flutes on the ebay site as to what to look for in buying flutes but I can never find it. Perhaps the Ebay people bury these things deep because they don't want to hamper the activity or scare off potential bidders.

Another comment about that older Yamaha 581 being related to the Powell. (remember that I'm writing this as an owner of one) Just because the instrument was "possibly" designed after the Powell this does not mean that it's an attempt at a Powell copy. The design part is mostly in relation to the dimensions. It's most likely lacking in materials and fit and finish. They were not handmade.

I tend to deal with the same people on ebay as I have built up trust with them.

I have an Ebay question, is there any recourse for inflated shipping? or is it simply something to accept or negotiate, it's not really a good deal if the shipping is inflated by 400%

to make money for music and instruments, i sell my old stuff on ebay. I hate paypal's greediness! I put the stuff on ebay, my dad deals with the paypal crap, and he hates their policies and "fees" they charge. Same with ebay, they charge like a dollar to put a nice listing up! soul-sucking, pocket-burning, theives.... >_<

I stumbled across this gem today...should someone contact Powell about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Buffet-Professional-Open-Tonehole-Solid-Silver-Flute_W0QQitemZ200224677043QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But I sure am glad the toneholes are open. I don't think I would get very far with closed toneholes.

Suzie,

Have you tried the "Report a problem you had with this transaction" link? Maybe that gives the Seller some recourse.

I have never sold anything on eBay, but have a ton of stuff I need to get rid of. I tried selling on craigslist, but nobody wants to pay what it's worth. I guess I'll need to try eBay eventually.