Hi. I'm lost a tiny flute part that holds the pads on... It's a tiny silver piece that holds the pads on. Without it, I'm a goner. I'm expected to play in the Rose Parade, and my Band Grade is steadily falling...

Hi Harken,
Don't you think that you should be taking your flute to see a repairman yesterday?

~Bilbo
N.E. Ohio

I definitely agree with Bilbo. You can't just run out to buy a resonator/screw from a music store. Some people call them washers not resonators, though.

-Dennis

crap! I didn't even think about the grommets. I went straight to the washer/screw because that's what I am waiting on for my old Pearl to put it back together. A little familiar in that respect.

-Dennis

You have a Pearl, Dennis? How is it for you (besides the whole fixing part!)? I have never really worked with a Pearl before...

Well, the Pearl I am fixing is my old Pearl 521RBE. I also have a Coda flute that is nice because it has the Db trill key and the Eb roller (HEHEHE), but it likes to go out of whack sometimes. The headjoint that came with it also is HORRIBLE!!!

-Dennis

Gah! I know what you mean about the bad headjoints that come with flutes... I never really have had any problems with any of my flutes, except my old Gehmindhart (I have not played on one for so long I have apparently forgotten how to spell it! Ha!) The springs kept popping off. The keys worked fine, even the trill keys, but even the tech. was confused on why they would keep snapping...
Who would you recommend a Pearl to? I am trying to find my sister a new flute for her birthday and I have come across a few brands, including Pearl, that I like! She is a beginner and it's been a while since I was a beginner, so I really don't know...)

I do like the Pearl's mechanism. I feel that it was VERY easy to get adjusted to it as a beginner. If it were Pearl (which is the only brand I have ever owned) I would start her out on the 505E. then if she wants to take it further she can upgrade to a different brand or open hole, B foot Pearl.

-Dennis

Thanks!

Celebrian, you really can't go wrong with a Yamaha. The other brands that are fine for a beginner IMO are Armstrong, Gemeinahardt and Emerson. That is the order from best to good in my opinion. I have not worked with any beginner Pearl flutes, but I know that I am not particularly keen of their upper models. (Sorry Dennis.) I hope you don't take offense to that.

Dennis, that Db trill and EB roller are nice to have. Lol!

I've actually had more problems with my intermediate/professional model than my student model Pearl. Never once had I had to take it in for a repair in the 9 years I had it. I just kept it mantained. I do not take offense to anyone's opinions Kara...you should know that! the model that I have student-wise is 521RBE which is now I believe the 505RBE. I would probably recommend their student models before an intermediate/professional one.

-Dennis

I use a Yamaha piccolo, but I have never owned a Yamaha flute... I did have an Armstrong, but I never use it anymore except for occassional practices where I don't have my D.C. I don't like the Blessing that my sister is using, and she can't get a good tone out of the Armstrong, so I am shopping! Hopefully I'll find one before her birthday! So, I am hearing a yes for a Pearl and a yes for a Yamaha... hum, I will have to look into a Yamaha.

I have a nice Yamaha (881) and a student Pearl, a 501E. I bought the Pearl to take outdoors or traveling, so as not to put my fancy flute at risk of being stolen, etc.

I sold a Gemeinhardt 3SHB, bought the Pearl, and pocketed the extra $$. After lessons on the Yamaha 881, I could no longer stand to play the Gem, because of its scale.

I can use my good headjoint in the Pearl, and like to.

My Pearl has had no problems. The flute teachers around here really like them because of their good scale.

The technicians around here have not complained to me about them.