hey every1. So, what do you think? I really need your advice on this, because I`m not a good person on deciding stuff.^^
So, this music store offered me a yamaha 461 for around $1300. It`s solid silver head, body and foot. and only the keys are plated. I know yamaha`s are expensive, but I thought that was a GOOD DEAL? Do you guys think so too? I`m not sure..need other people`s opinion. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

Yes, it does sound like a good deal.

cool. thanks kara

Your welcome, anytime.

I see that Flute World has the 461 listed on their website for $1544. If you can get a new one for $1300 I`d say that I agree with Kara, that is indeed a good price.

That price is a very good price for a new flute, but a very bad price for a used flute. I would verify whether the flute is new or used. Find out what warranty is being offered on the flute. If it is new it should have a warranty from Yamaha (hopefully the shop also warranties instruments themselves as well).

Please take a flute teacher with you before you make your decision. Just to make sure you aren`t being ripped of.

If the flute is used you can pick up a cheaper used YFL481. Check out http://www.flutestar.com

The only problem with the used 481 on that link is that is has an in line G.

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If she was looking at a 461 I am assuming that she wants an offset G. No sense in going to an in line if she has been playing an offset already.

The yamaha is new, but i think the waranty is like..1 year? I`m not sure, and I think that`s it. I remember it was short. Oh yea, and I`m getting a off-set g, because I heard that it`s a better hand position or something. It`s too bad I can`t take my flute teacher with me, because she`s probably too busy. ahh man, I`m not good at deciding which flute is better. Oh, i noticed that the yamaha had a nice sweet low sound. and it projected WAY BETTER than my stinky gemienhardt.^^ but then i again..idon`t know

Sounds like good deal to me. But be sure to check Ebay as well. There are several reputable dealers on there who sell new flutes at low prices. I got my Gemeinhardt 3SB brand new for $840 (they normally sell around $1700 or so). Factory sealed and everything. But, go with the store price if you can`t find it at a lower price.

I decided to get a pearl, or at least TRY a pearl. Have you guys experienced with it? I heard ppl who had gemienhardt before LOVED pearl. so i`m hoping *fingers crossed* pearl is the PERFECT flute for me. I also heard a lot of good things about it so..yea. No one in my school has one..do you guys? I never talked to a person had a pearl before.

I had a Pearl for a little while and used it as a backup flute when trying to sell my Muramatsu at Flute World. I was impressed with the even scale and the mechanism on it. The split E started leaking right away, so I took the split E off.

The only thing that I really didn`t care for was the two extra bars that stick out on them that most flutes don`t have. One was for the split E and the other one I do believe was reinforcement for the A to G key. It was nice, but I didn`t like the sound at all. When I played on it, it sounded tinny and did not project at all.

I didn`t keep the flute long enough to tell you if it held it`s adjustments well of not, I just know that the sound was unimpressive to me. You get more for you money with Pearl and I really do like that, but I still like the sound of the Yamaha better and feel that it is just built better.

Did you get a chance to try an Emerson? I have heard that their newer ones are really good. I haven`t had a chance to get my hands on one yet, so I couldn`t tell you what I think of them. I know that I really like the Emerson`s line of piccolos.

schoolgirl0125 if you try the Yamaha again, see if the store has different sytles of headjoints to choose from. That may make a world of difference for you. Same with Emerson, they have different cuts to and do Pearl.
The headjoint is one of the most important things on a flute. They body can be wonderful, but you have to have the right headjoint for you.


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I would see if you parents might consider getting a few flute on trial from Flute World. That way you can test them out at home for a good week first. If the store is only willing to let you play the flute for 15 minutes, then that is just no good. Flute World also carries different headjoints to try with the flute as local music stores may not. They also make sure their flutes are set up properly by a repair tech before they send them off.

Sorry to keep on posting, I just keep on thinking of more and more stuff!

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One more thing...sorry. You might want to look into the Sonare line of flutes. Flute World also carries them.
www.fluteworld.com

I wish that I could just have a job traveling the US and helping kids pick out flutes. That would be such a blast!

THANKs! that helps alot! And i do wish someone like you would help me pick a flute^^. Now i feel bad because I bought the pearl, and I told my dad if i don`t like it, we should return it. He thinks it`s hard work returing things. My cousin has a emerson, and it sounds BEAUTIFUL. It`s all silver and had a NICE vibrato sound. OMG. i hope the pearl is the right flute. I thought the yamaha was good but.yep. you know i needed more time. The pearl i`m getting is 665 series i think..with a gold lip plate. Only the head joint is silver. Now i think of it, I think the Yamaha that`s all silver would of been a better choice, BECAUSE pearl is the same price. AHHH MAN!!!!!!! *OUCH* *SIGH *DOUBLE SIGH

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So Kara?, Pearl is not that bad..right? Isn't there a lot of good things people say about it? What else is good about the pearl? I think I got too excited and wanted to get rid of my flute and get the new one. Ahh man, I'm in a rush. My cousin has a emerson and she's a beginner. It's a VERY nice one. Maybe I could trade with her^^. My tone changed DRAMATICLy when i played hers. I think it was silver that's why.

Hey does anyone have Pearl? PLZ say some good things about it. It'll make me feel better.^^

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oMG. I'm so scared. It's coming this weekend. At wwbw.com, A lot of people said how WONDERFUL pearl flutes are. So that (OF COURSE) convinced me because I'm a easily convinced person. Some professionals said it's a GREAT flute for high school ppl, and could take you on to collage. Well,..it better. i hope! i hope!

Sorry it took my so long to get back to you schoolgirl0125, I have been working on a flute all day.

Don`t worry, the Pearl is not a bad flute. It will be a nice flute to go to after playing on your current flute.
What do I like about the Pearls? Well the 665 is the one I used to have for a back up for a little while, so here are the pros on it:

*I think they have a pretty good headjoint on the model that you are getting.

*The scale was even throughout for me when I played it.

*The keys are very comfortable.

*The mechanism is nice, quite and light.

*You get pretty pointed key arms on the 665. You will look like a pro!

*It comes in a very pretty velvet pro case with a cover and a wood cleaning rod.

Now while I didn`t sound great on it, you may be the opposite and love the sound. I know people that own Pearls and love them and do sound wonderful, I just didn`t.

Cheer up..you are getting a new flute this weekend!!! I remember getting my first really nice flute, I couldn`t sleep the night before for anything! I was the same way with getting my current flute too. If you hate it, tell your Dad to contact WWBW. According to WWBW policies, you should have 30 days to send it back.

Promise to tell us all about it when you get it, K? Good luck, but I do really think that you will like it.

Hey thanks Kara, you make me feel so good. i like to over exaggerate things^^...it`s not like i`m serious or something. heehee. well, thanks again! Yea, i`m excited for my new flute. Thanks again.