Im looking at a flute that has Straubingers, but needs a repad.
Question:

Once a flute has Straubingers, can you go back to felts? Can it be repadded with felts or not?

Usually better not.
Straubs must have a different configuration in the tone holes that are not compatible with the felts.
I know of colleagues that had all tone holes rebuilt to install Straubs, then regreted and could not reverse it.
But we have many good technicians here at the forum who may give you a better explanation.
One thing though is widely known: Straubs are far more expensive.

Zevang

There is no reason why a flute with Straubingers cannot be repadded with felt pads. The only problem is that many/most repair shops may not stock (but they can order) extra thin felt pads that are thin enough to replace Straubingers.

<Added>

Krause Music Products sells extra thin pads that are designed specifically as Straubinger replacements. See the 104ET pads on this page: http://www.krausmusic.com/pads/flutepic.htm#top


KMP does not sell to individuals though, they only sell to professional repair shops.

Once a flute has Straubingers, can you go back to felts? Can it be repadded with felts or not?

Of course. It's not a problem. You can repad a flute with any pad, anytime..

Joe B

Indeed you're right.
I was wrong when I told about it being not good to reverse from Straubs.
What I really wanted to say was that a flute originally built to felt pads is not necessarily prepared to accept Straubs. Once it was told me that a flute with extruded tone holes had them all sanded flat so they could accept Straubs, otherwise it would not work.