I have 3 days to figure out what to do... buy a used DeFord, a used Artley, or rent a new Yamaha for my daughter who is starting band on Monday... What should I do? Money is a HUGE factor... I`m broke (well, close to it)

What`s your spending limit and the model numbers of the flutes you are considered. (Emerson) Deford makes an interesting flute nowadays.

I`m going to hide my head in shame when I type this, ok? $125 and I have no idea what the model numbers are or anything. The DeFord is from a used instrument dealer, but I don`t know a thing about them, really. The Artley is from a music teacher who says that it`s in great shape.
I wish my daughter would have told me a few months ago that she was thinking about the flute... she plays the piano and said that when band started she wanted to play the drums. That would have been really cheap! Then she came home and changed her mind to the flute and I don`t have the heart to tell her that I really can`t afford to buy her one.

As long as anexperienced player or technician has checked that the instrument is in good state and plays OK, then either. Your daughter could probably use it for a year or three and sell for much the same price.

That sounds cheaper than hiring to me, although the Yamaha, IF it is in good state - no guarantee of that - would probably be a better instrument and easier to play. De Ford and Artley, at least in the past, have produced some flutes that were quite disappointing in pad quality, engineering &/or sound. But there are dozens of brands that are worse, including the flutes I learnt on for 5 years, decades ago.

A conscientious kid adapts to a less-than-ideal instrument, often playing it better than their teacher can. This arguably assists the beginner to become a versatile player.

Thanks for the advice. I`m really stressing over this. I hope I`m able to make the right choice.

What`s the word on WEIMAR flutes?

Not a good brand. It is one of those bad generic brands that you see on ebay all the time.

Eventually, and it could be any time, even now, some of those cheap brands on Ebay may actually be good value for money. The thing is though, that the people who are most vocal about each of these many `brands` probably have not actually tried many of them at all. They are making wild generalisations.

But Jessica, it is true that it is very high risk to buy unknown brands. You may well need to condemn the instrument the first time it needs servicing, which may well be straight away. Unless you have SPARE money, this is not a sensible risk.

It is far better to buy a second hand instrument of a brand that at least the reputation of being viable to service.

such brands have

"The thing is though, that the people who are most vocal about each of these many `brands` probably have not actually tried many of them at all. They are making wild generalisations."

There you go again, accusing me. You put your digs into me every chance you get, and everyone is supposed to feel sorry for you?

For you information, I have seen these flute and tried them. I am not making any wild geralisations.

I have seen just about every off brand of flute from ebay.

Take a good long look in the mirror before you start with me.

Let me chime in to say I purchased one of those "German engineering" flutes on Ebay and gave it away.

I`ve also purchased a no name piccolo and found excess plastic in the bore and around the tone holes. Could never play the full range.

If you have no option to return an instrument if it turns out to be junk... DO NOT BUY.

It is true that many are indeed junk, but we have also have regular reports in this very forum of people who have been pleased with their cheap-brand Ebay purchases.

I suggest caution, disbelief, and scepticism towards accepting the writings of a person here who is so often extravagantly judgemental and rudely critical in so many issues.

"I suggest caution, disbelief, and scepticism towards accepting the writings of a person here who is so often extravagantly judgemental and rudely critical in so many issues."

I couldn`t have said it better myself. It is great that you can see that about yourself and own up to it.

Sometimes it feels like being back at school here.