I bought a Gemeinhardt J1 flute today at the flea market and was hoping to get some more information about it. The only thing I could find was a posting on YouTube. There is nothing on Gemeinhardt's website, including lack of the serial number and no mention of this model at all. (It says some of their history has been lost...) Click here to see a picture of the flute.

I am not interested in playing this flute, as I already have a nice professional flute, but I am wondering if this is something that might be of interest to collectors? Should I keep this because it's "neat"?

due to the nature of the keys i would say it is something like the jupiter prododgy flute- meant for littler people. but i would say it the the equivilent of the 2sp or another begginers one.

J1 is the standard headjoint on many of the Gemeinhardt flutes. (It can be plated or silver.) I don't believe it is a model number. Usually the J1 is stamped up at the crown on the opposite side of the tonehole.

"Note that the pivot rod in the foot joint has come unscrewed. "
Well yes. Of course it has.

Besides the interesting fact that it's either an Alto flute or it's made for smaller hands in the same sort of manner of an Alto flute, the D# has a stop arm instead of just a cork underneath the pinky finger lever.

J1 is actually stamped on the body of the flute -- not the headjoint.

Because I saw another one just like this on YouTube, I don't think it is an aftermarket modification. It is standard key of C, so it can't be an alto flute.

I would agree that it would be great for smaller hands.

I saw that the screw was coming loose on the footjoint. You're really sharp to notice that in the picture!!!!

Soooo -- should I keep this because it's neat? I'm not going to play it. Do you think this would be detrimental for someone to learn on? I can't imagine that it would be good for someone to learn to put their fingers in a place that would be different from all other flutes.

And THANK YOU to all who have replied!!!!! I appreciate that!

"should I keep this because it's neat? I'm not going to play it. "

Whatever you would want to do. If your hands are larger, then you'd probably have troubles playing this flute.

"Do you think this would be detrimental for someone to learn on? I can't imagine that it would be good for someone to learn to put their fingers in a place that would be different from all other flutes."

If a young child with small hands needed a flute like this, it may be good for them for some time until they grow out of it. Especially if it played properly. The thing now is that the young person's flute market has changed a bit. Improved tuning supposedly but also to include flutes with curved heads to make the reach easier. I don't think however that the keys are altered for small hands like this Gemeinhardt flute. Some flutes even come with two heads Straight and curved. There is even a flute that has the body played vertically (Like a Clarinet) so that the player blows across the top of the head piece.

If the pads work and you aren't going to play it, I'd try to sell it to a deserving child.

~bilbo
N.E. Ohio