I was at my local music shop the other day and I saw what I thought was a good price for an intermediate level. It was an Armstrong(I don`t remember the model) flute. Anyways, it had a solid silver headjoint with a gold lip plate, open holes w/ offset G, B foot w/gizmo(obviously). Here is the cool part; It`s only $980. I will probably rent first but I wasn`t sure if that was a good price for a flute at an intermediate level. Oh, yeah I also tried it (as well as 4 or 5 other flutes). I know Armstrong isn`t as good as Yamaha, Muramatsu, etc. but it`s either get the Armstrong soon, play my $75 Gemeinhardt 2SP I bought through the newspaper, or wait forever to get a Yamaha. Sorry this is a long post but could anyone tell me if it is worth getting or not pricewise?

You can get the same model for $729 at WWBW. So I would have to say, no it isn`t a good deal.

http://www.wwbw.com/Armstrong-303B-Flute-i227232.music

Even the solid silver w/ Gold Lip is cheaper! ($795 85B + 45 Lip)
http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/armstrong.htm

I have seen this even cheaper, around $600, it is a very heavy flute, difficult in the middle and upper registers

I got my Armstrong 80BT (sterling silver, gold engraved lip plate, open holes, b foot) for $500. EBAY!!!