I am still on my quest on a new flute and now a Yamaha 481 has crossed my path. I was offered this flute for 1000 dollars but the dealer won't bring it to my house so I have to drive out there. The dealer tol me it was made in 1992. I know that Yamaha updatees their flutes sometimes so I was wondering what model this flute is equal to in teh new Yamaha line

Actually, if you go to the Yamaha website, they are still making the 481. The music store in my area has them new for around $1500.00.

They have been selling for about 600-700 on ebay. Of course, you don't know what you are getting for sure.

In the area where I live, you might be able to find one used at a used instrument store for about $800+. But,I haven't seen any lately. The flute would be in playable condition guarenteed for 30 days.

The 481 is still the same specs, that did not change. What may have changed is Yamaha redesigned a few things on them starting with the scale. So, yes still same flute.

The 681 was a nice flute, good mechanism and nice, sweet tone with a cy headjoint. For me, I found the scale to be a little funky and is the reason I sold it. I do not like Japanese scales, but that's me. I'm lazy.

That is me too in a nut shell! I sold my 581 flute and my 62 piccolo because I could not stand the scale anymore on them!

The seller has 6 negative feedback ratings in the last 6 months. I would pass on this one or budget for $200 or more in repairs, if needed.

I had a 481 all through high school and it never once came out of adjustment or needed a repair. This is with 3-6 hours of practice a day. It was a great flute and really opened my eyes to what I could accomplish compared with the Gemeinhardt I had before the 481.

My only complaint is that the pads were quick to get that sticky sound. A couple other flutists at my school had the same flute and the same problem. I actually preferred this flute hands down over the Muramatsu EX I got to replace it.

I'd offer him $750, tops. He wouldn't have paid more than $500 as a trade-in if he's following standard markup and business practices.(of course he had to tweak and overhaul it). $800 if it has new pads installed.

It's a good intermediate flute and tough as a tank. But $1000 is a little high to be asking for one.