Hi, I am looking to upgrade the flute that I have but cannot afford anything too expensive.

I have a gemeinhardt (yes I know everyone says their bad) but I think it plays well. Its a solid silver flute with c foot. Model number M2S.

Currently I am looking at the selmer Omega flute which is solid silver as well, but open holed and with a b foot. The head on this flute is also lined with gold and the embrouchure is also gold plated.

Also I am looking at the gemeinhardt 3SS this flute is also solid silver and open holed, but has a C foot and no gold plating. Both are asking the same price.

The selmer is I think factory made whilst the gemeinhardt is "hand crafted".

I have never really heard of a selmer flute, but maybe thats because I have not looked hard enough. Can anyone help to tell me which is the best option out of those two flutes that I am looking at to buy?

Thanks. If you want to you can email me replies, I would really appreciate any information that you could provide.

You really don`t want either of these flutes, but if anything, buy the Gemeinhardt. Selmer is pretty much the worst you can get. What you really want is an Armstrong. They have the best track record, and play very nicely. They don`t break much, either. I`ve had mine for ten years, and it`s barely even been scratched. (The pads needed replacement, though )

I`ve had an Armstrong for a couple of years, it`s pretty good. I`m buying a new flute now and I think I`m buying a Pearl. If you have any opinion on Pearl make sure to tell me at the topic "Are Pearl professional flutes good?" on this forum. Just search flutes and it should come up. Good luck and thanks.

I`ve had my gemeinhardt for 5 years it works great, just have to do the normal repairs of pads every few years when needed. I`ve never had any other problem with it.

that`s funny i`ve always been told that gemeinhardt is the best u can buy. i just baught one that`s open holed. i realy like it. it plays really well. and it impresses my band teacher. so hey it works for me

Just to update, I bought them both and tried them out for a couple of months. The selmer turned out to be the better sounding of the two, the tone was very colourful and full ( sounds like a wine) the gemeinhardt was still really good but I think the thinwall on the selmer flute, plus the gold lining and embrouchure made the sound a lot better.

One thing that was odd which I didn`t count on. When I first started playing the flute it was great, but after it heats up it gets a little harder to push notes out. Which I thought was strange. The gemeinhardt was consistent with tone, but lacked warm. The selmer had beautiful tone, but when the flute warmed up to my hands, breath etc it got harder to play. Hhhm.

Selmer Flute, Professional Flute, Silver Flute is an excellent flute to own.

You can hear an example of the Selmer Flute playing at the web site in the subject header.

Built around 1942 by Henry Selmer, designer of the Selmer Mark VI Saxophone, this flute was designed to compete directly with the Haynes Flute. The high register has excellent clarity, and rounded brightness. The thick walled silver construction give this flute excellent, free blowing, tonal strength. The pads are clean from a recent, professional overhaul. The action is responsive like a Vintage Selmer Sax.