Okay, what is the difference between a Yamaha 221 vs a Yamaha 225?

Is one silver plated and the other one nickel plated?

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Your avatar picture is precious.

Thanks, he IS precious!

I don't really know if one is nickel/silver plated. My sister called and said that my niece is starting band and choosing flute. They recommend a Yamaha 225, but my sister found a Yamaha 221 (rental). I'm not sure of the difference. I haven't physically seen the flute, and I couldn't get a good explanation regarding the metal from my sis (she does not play an instrument).

According to the Yamaha website, it's the same--the 225 has been replaced by the 221. They are essentially identical. There is an "N" (nickel-silver plate) and an "S" (silver-plate), which are options, so you might want to check that.

A few years ago, Yamaha restructured their numbering system. The Yamaha 225 is the same as the 221, just with a different designation. If memory serves, the 225's are the older ones, and the 221's replaced them. I have an older Yamaha 581 that is the equivalent of what they currently sell as the 674. If the flute is nickel plated, it would look darker (I would say almost "steely" looking) than a silver plated flute. There is a visual difference, but it's difficult to explain, so here are pictures:

Nickel:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Selmer-Nickel-Plated-Flute-w-Hard-Case-Rod-9645_W0QQitemZ190017606087QQihZ009QQcategoryZ85873QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#F-A-REYNOLDS-MEDALIST-Nickel-Plated-Flute-w-Case_W0QQitemZ190017605402QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Flute-BRAND-NEW-2006-INSTRUMENT-NICKEL-PLATED-FLUTE_W0QQitemZ230015975162QQihZ013QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Flute-BRAND-NEW-2006-INSTRUMENT-NICKEL-PLATED-FLUTE_W0QQitemZ230015837070QQihZ013QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Flute-Like-New-Nickel-plated-w-hardcase_W0QQitemZ110017973423QQihZ001QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Flute-BRAND-NEW-2006-INSTRUMENT-NICKEL-PLATED-FLUTE_W0QQitemZ230015613944QQihZ013QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Silver:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gemeinhardt-Silver-plated-M3-Open-Hole-Flute_W0QQitemZ260019739978QQihZ016QQcategoryZ47101QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#2006-Silver-Plated-Flute-w-Hard-case-Soft-Bag-blk_W0QQitemZ120019326787QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Gemeinhardt-3-Silver-Plated-Flute-UNPLAYED-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ150021631411QQihZ005QQcategoryZ47101QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,New-SILVER-Plated-Flute-W-Case-Bag-Best-Value_W0QQitemZ120019272803QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,90-OFF-2006-New-Cecilio-Silver-Plated-Flute-Warranty_W0QQitemZ130016327461QQihZ003QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Vintage-Gemeinhardt-M2-silver-plated-flute-PLUS-2-books_W0QQitemZ200016686250QQihZ010QQcategoryZ47101QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Gorgeous-New-Silver-Plated-Flute-W-nice-Case-Bag_W0QQitemZ300016809713QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,New-SILVER-Plated-Flute-W-Case-Bag-Best-Value_W0QQitemZ120019194127QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,2006-Sky-SILVER-Plated-Flute-hard-case-soft-bag-red_W0QQitemZ170018050573QQihZ007QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,2006-Silver-Plated-Flute-w-Hard-case-Soft-Bag-blk_W0QQitemZ120019239898QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Gorgeous-New-Silver-Plated-Flute-W-nice-Case-Bag_W0QQitemZ300016756816QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,C-FLUTE-NEW-SILVER-BAND-FLUTES-BANKRUPTCY-2007-PLATED_W0QQitemZ260019550240QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-BRAND-NEW-SILVER-PLATED-VALUE-AND-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ280017052892QQihZ018QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,new-silver-plated-flute-hard-case_W0QQitemZ320016381207QQihZ011QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,New-SILVER-Plated-Flute-W-Case-Bag-Best-Value_W0QQitemZ120019154847QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,new-silver-plated-flute-hard-case-fast-shiping_W0QQitemZ320016378050QQihZ011QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,2006-Silver-Plated-Flute-w-Hard-case-Soft-Bag-blk_W0QQitemZ120019193286QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Lovely-silver-plated-C-Flute-by-Virtuosi-Instruments_W0QQitemZ220016451412QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Silver-Gold-plated-C-Flute-by-Virtuosi-Instruments_W0QQitemZ220016451382QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,2006-Silver-Plated-Flute-w-Hard-case-Soft-Bag-blk_W0QQitemZ120019171705QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,2006-Sky-SILVER-Plated-Flute-hard-case-soft-bag-red_W0QQitemZ170017916491QQihZ007QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-BRAND-NEW-SILVER-PLATED-VALUE-AND-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ110020222967QQihZ001QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-BRAND-NEW-SILVER-PLATED-VALUE-AND-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ120019129242QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-BRAND-NEW-SILVER-PLATED-VALUE-AND-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ120019129248QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-BRAND-NEW-SILVER-PLATED-VALUE-AND-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ140017819362QQihZ004QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,FLUTE-Gemeinhardt-2SP-silver-plated_W0QQitemZ220016395984QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem,Silver-Plated-Artley-18-0-Flute-w-Hard-Shell-Case_W0QQitemZ150021408742QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks again. I assumed it was a re-numbering issue, I just didn't know which is the most current system/number.

I asked if there was a letter (N or S)on the flute or the paperwork, but she didn't know.

I think it should be fine for her no matter what. They opted for a monthly rental program for now (niece is 11), so they have time to make a more permanent decision. Either way niece is thrilled and has apparently learned three notes in the first half hour group session, along with proper care techniques. I could hear her playing in the background, a great start to hopefully a life-long activity.

So if the "1" refers to 442 and the "5" refers to 444, wouldn't that make the 225 a more recent instrument?

Not necessarily. Pitch is rising, but the norm has not yet reached 444. Some European groups play at or above 444, but most groups are still at 440 or 442. I would be surprised to find out that the 225 indicates a scale of A-444, but I suppose it's a possibility. My first flute was a 225, and I had no issue playing it in a group at A-440.

I'm not too worried about the pitch issue. I still have a 440 pitched flute and have no problem with it in that respect.
My question was more to establishing which is the "newer" model (so to speak).

Kippsix, the newer one is the 221. It is too bad I didn't talk to you earlier, I have 1 brand new 221 and another 221 (as new) that was only used a couple of times that I could have given a really good deal on.

Here in the US, the 221's are the newer models that replaced the 225. I was able to get in contact with a Yamaha dealer who assured me this.

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The 225's are not being made anymore.

Thanks Kara, I thought about you when she called me, but I think they're happy with renting for now. They are doing a month-by-month rental, so once things get going along I'll put the bug in my sister's ear about purchasing. Hopefully that will coincide with when you have a Yamaha again! I'm also going to let them think about a crown jewel too!

Kippsix, I really appreciate that, thanks. Yeah.. Those young girls do love those gemstone crowns! I can't wait to see what the other girls in my nieces class think of her flute. She moved to Idaho and the same city where I lived for 4 years and will be having the same band teacher as I did. I am sure she is going to get a lot of crap for being my niece as I just visited the band director a few months ago and of course he vividly remembered me. It doesn't help that she is a carbon copy of me either. Freckles and all! I hope your niece does well on the flute. I put star stickers on each key where Evelyn (my niece) is to put her fingers and that girl has only had the flute over the summer now, without any lessons and can play tunes already on it! I did show her the basics though. I swear, she should have been my daughter. She is more like me everyday. Heaven help her!

Apparently they put stickers on hers also. I was little surprised by that, certainly not the way I learned!

Back in the "old days" when I was taught by the nuns, Sister MaryJean used more of an "iron fist" method of teaching rather than cute stickers! I still have cracks in my front teeth where she "assisted" me in placing the flute in position! ....I exagerate just a wee bit!

Yeah, I learned without the sticker too and in a Catholic private school, but luckily the nuns were not that bad. Yikes! I put the stickers on there because she was so anxious to learn and didn't have me around for the summer to help her, so I didin't want her putting her fingers in the wrong place and then having to re learn when she got lessons.