Ok, so I was flipping through the channels on TV, and I saw this orchestra playing, then there was this flute that looked like a regular flute, but was wood. Does anyone know who makes these flutes and if they are better than regular flutes?

Most big names really, for instance ... (copy that into your browser)

http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/english_master/10_musical_instruments/20_orchestra/10_woodwind/20_flutes/10_wooden_flutes/YFL_874W/index.html

Try here to

http://www.bigio.com/

Thanks for the help you guys! So, does anyone know if wood flutes are better than metal?

It`s a matter of opinion. Some like the sound of a wooden flute better than a metal one.

I haven`t had the opportunity to try a wooden flute, but I sure am intrigued. I don`t think they are hanging on the walls of the local music store next to the Bundys and Gemeinhardts (once again I had to look up that spelling -- somehow I block it out of my brain).

If I ever get the chance (convention?), I sure would like to try one. Actually, I`d like to try some different brands (wooden construction) so that I could compare them. Oh, who am I kidding, I need to be out comparison shopping for kid`s school shoes, not wooden flutes! Anyone have the Walmart ad?

One is not better than the other, just different.

It might suck to have a wooden flute becuse you woood have to spray it with somthing so the termites stay away.

Termites aren`t what you have to worry about with a wooden instrument, but cracking of the wood that occurs with natural stress on the wood and eventual "blow out" as saliva breaks down the wood from the inside out. ("blow out" is arguably negligible and some believe actually improves an instrument)

Having to oil a wooden instrument is also a pain; crack prevention.

I`ve never played a wooden flute, but I would imagine the difference would be very negligible as why the huge jump to Silver flutes when they were invented.