Does anybody know what the best current deal for a YFL-221 is? Or about what price a new one will go for?

Thank You

The cheapest I have found a new 221 one for is on ebay for $449. Here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-Flute-YFL-221-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ7397622760QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Other then that the cheapest in stores I have found is at $808.00 at places like www.fluteworld.com and at www.wwbw.com

That seems to be the going price for them in the US.

If you call http://www.fluteworld.com they may be able to quote you a very low price on that particular model (as well as the 261 and 281) as Yamaha fobids any online vendors from quoting the real cost of those particular student flutes. (Their Tel: 866-353-5883)

or you can buy one used from http://www.flutestar.com

Yamaha flutes generally resell far below their new cost. So check your local classifieds or http://www.usedflutes.com and you may find a good deal on a solid silver variety. 400 series often pop up in the $600 range or 500/600 series from $1200 on down is not unheard of.

Happy Hunting.

I have only ever seen Flute Star carry the older 225 flutes for $350 and up and I do believe the original poster was looking for a new one anyway.

Yamaha flutes seem to hold their re sale value more then others for a reason and I have to say I disagree with Stephen. (We all know that he just doesn't like Yamaha) Lol!

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Another thing.. after a non professional flute is used regardless of brand you can expect the re sale value to go down to almost half of what you paid. It is not just the Yamaha brand either.

Simply search out Yamaha 2005 for last years Yamaha sales on http://www.usedflutes.com

Yamaha flutes simply don't hold their resale value as they are overpriced when sold new. When someone finally decides to sell their flute they realize the true market value was not quite so high.

Compare the Yamaha results to a Gemeinhardt 3SB 2005 search (or just Gemeinhardt). To see how their resale value compares to another maker. (Check out Armstong, Emerson, etc)

I certainly do have distaste for Yamaha flutes, but I can't make up numbers.

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Another thing... a Gemeinhardt 3SB can be found new for around $700. It's resale value is around 90%.

Yamaha flutes drop by half, not other brands.

In thinking about resale value... even if one were to purchase a professional flute there are things that can kill the resale value... the US especially.

A C foot
Closed Holes
Plated head, body, or foot.

What's funny is that some people don't notice these things in intermediate flutes:
American open hole design
Plain Arms
Plated Barrels

Odd things that increase value of a flute:
A special mechanism (C#, G-A trill, Split-E)
Gold plated parts, especially embouchure plate.
French arms
French open hold keys

The YFL-221 being a closed hole, plated flute... will have a hard time reselling for around $400+. People would rather buy solid silver alternatives or open hole alternatives in that used price range.

The YFL-261 and 281 would have an equal resell value. Though they are open hole... they are totally plated and that doesn't take too well.

Things to consider if the aura of a "Yamaha" wears of and you want to resell it. Find a used solid silver one around $1000 and that should keep its resale value should you decide to toss it back out into the EBay world.

Think whatever you want, I am not going to argue about it.

You know why the Yamaha 221 is priced so high even though it is silver plated? Simply because it can out play and last longer then any Gemeinhardt 3SB.

Don't waste your money or be conned into buying an all silver Gemeinhardt when the real deal is with the Yamaha 221. Solid silver or not, they still can't touch Yamaha in quality or sound.

Go buy a real flute.

they still can't touch Yamaha in quality or sound.

Care to share a sound sample?

Sorry, but I could never figure out how to use the stupid program that I downloaded. My student Yamaha 221 sound just as amazing as my handmade Powell does if that is any indication.
Of course, anyone at the level of my playing should be able to make a tin flute sound good (at least I would hope so!)

When intermediate to beginner flutist pick up a Yamaha and compare it to Gemeinhardt...now that is a different story.

You know Stephen... now you challenged me and I am going to go subscribe to smartmusic again so I can make a recording of me on my Yamaha. I will also make one on my Powell and see if anyone can tell the difference. Sorry, but I am not lucky enough to own a Gemeinhardt at the moment to record on.

I am going to do this tonight, but I have a few lessons, so it won't be until late tonight. Keep your eyes out for it.

Hmmm...what should I play???

I was speaking in jest, but something nice and sonourous by Godard or Bizet should work nicely and you don't really need to go through the trouble of a background track.

Unless of course you were planning on doing something showy.

Okay, thanks for the suggestion. I will try to get around to it tonight, but my husband goes to bed soon and I can't make much noise. I will get around to it though.

Okay, I have got the recording of me, but now how do I get it no here? When I got to play it, it comes up on my windows media player.



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I just emailed it to you.