I am planning to get the Yamaha YFL-471. Is it any good? I am buying online so I need some good advice. If I buy, I am getting for a good price (556 pounds=$1060). And I am sure its authentic and stuff. What do you guys think


http://tw.f3.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/c24200353
The pic is here

Oh, yeah, just so you guys know, I have been playing for 6 years, and my current flute, was bought 4 years ago, and its a Jupiter. It has a sterling silver head but it isn't very good. Got it for about $700-750. Do you think this next upgrade is a good idea or not and is this flute suitable.

PS: I did my grade 5, 3 years ago and becasue of some issues I haven't done a grade since and hadn't had lessons for 3 years but I am starting again fater this holiday. I am about grade 6 standard from my teachers opinion.

hi edward, it really does seem a good deal at that price, but just remember to add cost of the shipping, and then you will also get charged import duty before the postman will deliver it to your door.

I recently bought a flute from usa, for, i think around £530, but then was charged £137 import duty !!!!! so please bear that in mind
angie x

The best thing you can do it try it. We really can't tell you if it is going to work for you or not. I think that built well and have never had a problem with mine.

You should try an armstrong 80B.

LOL again with the Armstrong? I suggest you try out a few flutes before you buy the Yamaha 471. The Yamaha 471 is an intermediate instrument and if you keep playing the flute you would probably want to upgrade again in a few years. I suggest you look for used semi pro model. You could probably find one for around the price of a new 471.

I would go with a Simba

Is that supposed to be sarcastic?

Yes it is. Patrick is well known for his sense of humor. As you can probably guess, a Simba can't stand up to an intermediate Yamaha.

When I was searching for a new intermediate flute to buy, I tried the 471 at a local shop. I did not like it, I could hear no difference compared to my Gemeinhardt M2 (my flute at that time).

However, take this comment as strictly personal, in that you should try (whenever possible) the model you intend to buy.

I am sure many people here play on the 471 and find it very good.

You know, a flute normally has a lot of potential (unless it is of very poor quality or defective); it is the player who awakes those potentialities and turn into beautiful sound.

More professional flutes are sometimes considered to be more "resistant" in the sense that there are more difficulties for a relatively inexperienced player to obtain what they can give, at least at the beginning. It took me a few months until I could obtain and enjoy a good sound from my present 674; many things improved from the very beginning, but and other got somewhat more difficult and required retraining, better or different embouchure, etc. I am still learning how to deal with her.