I am considering an upgrade from my Haynes Amadeus to a Powell Signature. The Powell is for sale at a local music shop and it was used for 4 months then the buyer upgraded. So, it comes with no warranty.

What I'm going to have to do for financial reasons, is sell my Amadeus to fund the purchase of the Powell. Does anyone here have an idea of what these are worth? How much could I expect to get for my Haynes? And is $3000 a good price for the Powell? (It is in mint condition, looks like it was never touched.)

Haynes = AF900B with offset G, split E and C# trill
Powell Signature = offset G, B foot

Thanks!
Amy

BTW the Haynes was purchased August of 2008 and has no flaws, etc, just came back from a COA at the factory in Boston.

I bought an Amadeus with the same specs two years ago off of ebay for only $500, but I got a bargain. I would try contacting Flute World or somewhere where they are used to consigning flutes and could give you a better idea. $3000 is a good price for the Powell.
If you can, make sure to get it on trial and play it a long time and see if you are comfortable on it. I had to give up my Powell because of the weight of it Good luck!

Thanks Kara. I just found this Amadeus at FluteWorld for $2495. Are their prices an accurate representation of what one could sell the instrument for on their own? My flute also has the offset G, split E and C# trill, but no headjoint engraving as this one does.

http://fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=53763

And do you agree with me that it would definitely be an "upgrade" to move from the Amadeus to Powell Sig.?

A lot of times things are over priced on the used flute part at FW. My guess to this would be because people have to take a cut from the profit because of the commission that FW takes. I am not really up to date with how well the Haynes Amadeus line is selling right now. Selling it slow right now but should pick up in a couple of months. I would contact Diane as FW and ask her. She would know better than I.

Is the Powell an upgrade? Sure, the Powell is worth more money and I am sure it is better built, but it depends on you as a player. A gold flute might be considered an upgrade to my current flute, but I sound horrible on them and am not comfortable at all. So, it really wouldn't be much of an upgrade for me. Sometimes simplicity is better. It is what you are most comfortable playing on. You will need to try them back to back to make that decision. Have you thought about trying another headjoint on your Haynes? I think that they can be a little stuffy sounding on the Amadeus line. I do think though that you would be able to progress as a player sound wise with the Powell. And remember.. comfort!!! I can't stress that enough

Is it an upgrade?
Well, maybe, maybe not.

It doesn't have a C# trill key. Most flutists I have talked to, who havwe figured out how to USE the C# trill, really hate going back to no C# trill. But, there is extra weight on the flute with the C# trill, split E mechanism, and B-footjoint.

I don't quite get why someone would buy a new Powell, and 'upgrade' again right away. I would do two things: first, have a very qualified flutist or two play the Powell, and get their opinion on it. Second, I would have an independent flute tech (not associated with the music store) look it over carefully. I would look for any reason why the person who bought it wasn't satisfied with it. That story just doesn't make sense to me.

Whether or not this is an upgrade would depend on whether it plays significantly better than your Amadeus, as well as whether or not there are any mechanical issues with either flute.

And it might be possible to put a Powell head joint in your Amadeus for a lot less $$ and trouble, and then you would still have the C# trill and split E.