I`ve been playing flute for about 10 years now, and have had a yamaha 211sII for about 9 of those (i started off borrowing the school flute for the first year, an icky crusty thing). It`s done me pretty well so far (i did gr8 w/distinction last year, am workig towards the dipabrsm now) but lately it`s started to give way a bit - rods/springs coing loose etc. It`s never been serviced in all this time, which could be why I suppose but Í`ve gotten pretty good at putting things back in place - not ideal, I know, but there`s not much else I can do atm. (I`m working in delhi for the summer and after having trawled the whole city the only place I could find that would be willing to take a look at it wanted to bore holes in it and solder something on, which I completely balked at).

So yeah, I`ll definately be getting it looked at when I get home at the end of the month. I have been considering upgrading though, and was wondering if anyone could suggest me some options? I`m not sure if I`ll be applying to music college in a few months or not but I`ll definately keep playing and so I`d probably want to invest in soemthing that would last me a long time, maybe a professional model (or should I be looking at an intermediate one)? So budget isn`t a huge constraint (though I can`t afford anything superexorbitant).

Trouble is, `home`= dubai (in the UAE), where my options at best are a motley collection of yamahas pearls and maybe buffets. So I was thinking of buying over the internet, only this seems a bit risky as I wouldn`t be able to try them out beforehand. I might be in london for a few days in november so I was thinking of looking then. But I`d like to be really well researched, with a list of flutes to try as I`ll not have that long.

So yeah, any suggestions please? I want an open holed flute, but other than that I`m open to anything. Also, pros (ifthere are any!)/cons of buying off the net?
Yup cheers for any help and sorry for the miniepic above

I bought a flute over the internet and I was not happy with what I got. The ad said that it was in perfect condition and it was definitly not when I got it! I think that it is really important to try before you buy as every flute is different and what someone thinks if excellent you might not like. Especially if you are looking at prof. models.

There is always a risk of buying musical instruments on the net. Many unpleasant experiences heard at times.

I don`t feel comfortable to buy an intermediate or pro flute on the net especially through ebay. When I have to pay a substantial amount of money for the instrument, I prefer to test play them in a shop where I can try different brands / models out to find the most suitable one.

If your budget is healthy, you better look at a pro instead of an intermediate model because you won`t need to upgrade it again for another 10 years.

Yamaha 600 series or 700 series are very reliable pro models. Their quality and tone are significantly better than your old YFL 211 and I trust you will like them.

Good luck and enjoy your new flute.

You should look in your local classifieds section and go try out those wonderfully described flutes and learn the true meaning of buyer beware.

In my area someone is selling a Yamaha 225II for $300 and the thing does not even play. It looks like someone pulled the keys up.

Hi Fumigene

If there are shops in Dubai (UAE) selling Yamahas, may be it is a good idea to buy a pro model Yamaha when you go to London. You can take the flute to your local shops for service / repair in the future and they may have more experience with the flutes of this brand more than the other.

that`s a pretty good suggestion mark, I hadn`t thought of that (unsurprisingly, seeing as I`ve not had my flute serviced in 10 years meh).
I``ll be off to college in the US in a year though,`and most likely in a big city so that should be okay. is it worth putting off buying a flute till say, next summer then? I`m jsut a bit worried about the effect on my diploma

if you got to Grade 8 on your Yamaha and it`s not in any danger of actually crumbling away in your hands it SHOULD be ok. can you beg, borrow or steal another one so that you can wait till next year to buy a replacement?

"but lately it`s started to give way a bit - rods/springs coing loose etc."

What part of that didn`t you get in the first post, Mrs. C?

It can be very counterproductive to be playing on a flute that is in need of such maintenance.

To the original poster, I strongly suggest that you take the Yamaha in for repairs and start saving up for a new flute.

Likewise, "To the original poster, I strongly suggest that you take the Yamaha in for repairs".

If the technician is any good, then it will play wonderfully and reliably again for years.

But we are assuming that there is a good technician in your country.

I have done repairs for Kuwait because there was NO repairer there.

Also, do not let the present state of your Yamaha put you off Yamaha. The problem is the state that you have allowed the flute to get into, not with Yamaha itself. Yamaha make fine consistent flutes. If Yamaha are all that is sold in Dubai, then seriously consider Yamaha. Yamaha makes a huge range, from student to professional. They are all good value for money, unless some dealer is ripping you off. If possible, steer clear from older models, which do not play as awesomely as recent and current models.

Hi Fumigene

If you already passed Grade 8 and are advancing to Dip level, there is no harm to reward yourself by buying a new flute now. The new instrument will surely bring you to another level of excitment and satisfaction, and also it will contribute to you skills development and test preparation.

If you have the money available now for a pro flute, I would say buy a new one in dubai or when you go to London. Don`t wait for another year. Especially when your old flute is a bit dodgy now. It will delay or even cause harm to your flute learning.

If money is not available, then have the old flute repaired now and save up for a new one in the future. Don`t compromise on intermediate models although it may take you more time to raise the fund for the pro models.

I believe Yamaha 600 and 700 series are pretty good value for money. Many pro flutists play on Yamaha flutes. Obviously you can consider other brands like Sanyko, Powell or even Muramatsu if $$$ is not a problem for you (or your parents)