It`s quite simple. Here`s the deal:

I have had a student flute ever since I was in 4th grade. I am currently a junior in High School, and I know that the flute is holding me back from getting any higher placement in band, because I have all the tequnique down, but the tone that I am looking for cannot be produced with the student flute.

So, my friend has a flute that she wants to get rid of, and I know that she is very trustworthy when it comes to the price, and she wouldn`t charge me something that it shouldn`t be. But, I just wanted anotehr opinion on it.

The flute is a Gemeinhardt, and I`m not a pro when it comes to flute actual types, but i believe it is a 33SB? (Solid silver head joint with Gold lip plate, solid silver body, solid silver foot joint, low B, inline G, and the keys have rings like the rings of a tree, which i haven`t seen on any other flute before).

She is wanting me to pay $600 for this, and I`m not in denial that that is a great price because I know that she is doing this just because she doesn`t want it anymore, and is not looking for a profit (Her parents bought it for her for $1000).

So I`m asking if I could have facts here, not opinion. Therefore, please only post if you are either a professional flute player, someone who sells flutes, or someone really knowledgable with flutes...not just "I know flutes, I`ve been playing for 5 years, etc. etc." Though that`s cool, I`m dealing with a lot of money and I really am just looking for straight-up facts.

My questions are,
1.) Is this, in fact, a good, great, or once in a life time opportunity price?
2.) How much do one of these types of flute on the market usually run?
3.) If I wanted to resell it, could I easily get $600 or more for it?
4.) Is this type of flute something that could last me through high school, and college if I wanted to play in an orchestra or other group, or would I again, need to upgrade?
5.) The only thing that`s missing is a tuning rod. Is that that big of a deal?

Alright, I believe that is all. Thank you very much for your help, and please respond as quickly as possible.

-FlutePlayer

I will try to answer your questions as best as I can. Gemeinhardt flutes are OK, but a lot of people don`t consider them "high quality". The price is good, especially since the flute is used. Are you comfortable with inline G ? If you aren`t, then that`s another thing to consider. Most likely, teachers and instructers will drop hints for you to buy a Miyazawa or some top brand like that. Pressure to buy a top brand will increase during college, I shouldn`t wonder. The solid silver and gold lip plate are good things to have for your new flute. If you were to sell the flute one day, $600 would be about right. Consider Powell too.

Another word: You`d probably need to uprgrade again after or during college. In that case, I`d go for a Powell (or Sonare like mine ) so that you won`t have to buy another in 4-6 years. Especially if you want to get a piccolo as well.

1.) Is this, in fact, a good, great, or once in a life time opportunity price?

ANSWER: It is a very good price if it is a 33SB, but it also depends on the condition of it. Are you going to have to put any money into it to get the pads replaced?

2.) How much do one of these types of flute on the market usually run?

ANSWER: Music 123 sells the 33SB for $1551.60

3.) If I wanted to resell it, could I easily get $600 or more for it?

ANSWER: Definetely

4.) Is this type of flute something that could last me through high school, and college if I wanted to play in an orchestra or other group, or would I again, need to upgrade?

ANSWER: Speaking as a repair tech. I would have to say that it is not likely. You could get through College with it, but I don`t think that Gemeinhardt flutes are made very well and they have a lot of adjustment problems. It would most likely hold you back. I think it would be fine for High School though.

5.) The only thing that`s missing is a tuning rod. Is that that big of a deal?

ANSWER: No, you can buy a tuning rod for under $5.00 at most any music stores or on line. You could also just use your one from your other flute.

Jill, not to be rude, but are you a professional player?

Okay sorry about that, for an amateur player still in School you do have some really good points.

No way! (sigh) I know I`m not much help. And no offense was taken. I was just giving a common person`s opinion. An opinion, nothing more. Just some tidbits from my own experience. I honestly and sincerely admit: your answer WAS much more informative. Still, I thought it wouldn`t hurt trying.

I`m a rather opinionated person, I guess.

I only asked because she said that she only wanted an anwer from a professional, that is all. It was rude of me to post what I did and I realized it after I had read your post. Sorry. You do have a lot of knowledge and more so than a lot of flutist that I have met that are still in school.

I know our friend Kara would agree too.

Thanks guys thus far...I didn`t mean to sound rude by just asking for "professional flute players" help. But I`ve run into too many problems of people just thinking that they know everything when they really dont, and so I thought I`d just eliminate mini remarks by just asking for professional flute players etc, though I do appreciate all of your guys` help it`s helping me out...others still respond though if you`d like!

Answer to someone`s question earlier: Yes it is in extremly great condition...let`s just say that she bought it from this senior who wasnted to upgrade herself, and only played it about 3 times. The pads do not need replaced anytime soon either. No dents or anything....
by the way, a 3SB basically means everything`s solid silver, right? Also, because some things (like what I was talking about the "tree ring keys" (that`s what they look like to me)) are custom made, that ups the price too right?...making $600 like "wow, you better buy that before it`s too late" ?

No problemo! I didn`t see the asking for a pro.

Do you happen to have aim where we can talk about flutes n all, that would be a lot easier for me! ...though I want this topic to stay active for I can get as many people to reply to my questions as possible.

Do you mean email?

Is is a 33SB or a 3SB? Are you talking about pointed key arms when you say tree rings? Look up this picture and tell me if that is what you are talking about.
http://www.fluteworld.com/Merchant/

If it is then the flute is a 33SB. As far as I know nothing is ever really handmade on a Gemeinhardt. If you want a hanmade flute then expect to pay over $5000.00.