I didn`t mean to be mean. I`m sorry Jewelie.

Armstong is great!I have one and love it.My friend has a Gemeinhardt and they are alot alike.Either is great choice.Gemeinhardt just sounds fancy.

Gotcha! Thanks, Priscilla

Well... i play a gemeinhardt flute, but i got an armstrong piccolo in the 7th grade, and if their flutes are anything like their piccolos, then they are really beautiful sounding

i like my armstrong flute which i got brand new, for a little over 1,000, solid silver, gold mouthpiece, all flutes are different , 1,200 i don`t think is bad, but i haven`t seen the flute so it might be a crappy deal, that`s up to you

I have been playing flute for over 36 years. My primary flute is an Armstrong 82B (solid sterling with 24kt gold plate),which I purchased new in 1974. It`s a model that was made by special order only in the 70`s, and is now no longer available. I also own or have previously owned Gemeinhardt, Artley, Yamaha, Bundy, and Conn flutes and piccolos. Gemeinhardt and Armstrong make very comparable instruments. To say that one is better than the other is sort of like saying strawberry is better than chocolate. You may personally prefer strawberry to chocolate, but that doesn`t make it better. Both manufacturers make quality instruments which are well- respected among musicians. When you are ready to select a step- up flute you need to try a lot of different flutes. Spend some time and find out which manufacturer`s instruments you prefer. Your embrochure, the size of your hands, and your playing style will determine which flute is right for you. In the price range your talking about, Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Pearl, Buffet, Selmer, and Yamaha are all well- respected brands. Take the time to find out which manufacturer`s product YOU can produce the best tone with. See which one feels good in your hands. Different flutes have different key actions and slightly different key placements. Once you find out which brands you prefer, then decide which features are important to you. Do you want an offset G? How about a gizmo key? Split E? Low B foot, or C foot? Sterling head only, or solid sterling? Once you decided what you want, then do some research and decide what you are willing to pay for it. Find out what the instrument is worth new. A good rule of thumb is that a used instrument in perfect condition is worth about 50% of manufacturer`s suggested retail for that instrument new. Don`t buy an instrument that you have not been able to play and evaluate yourself. While there are characteristics that are unique to each manufacturer`s product, each individual instrument has it`s own unique feel and sound. Does this sound too complicated? Can you not tell much difference between various flutes? If this is the case, you may not be an experienced enough player to need a step- up instrument at this time. Don`t just buy a flute because someone happened to offer it for sale, or because someone told you it was a good brand, or is being offered at a bargain price. Buy the flute that you have personally selected to make the most of your playing skills.

Thanks Krista that helps alot.

I too have been playing the flute for over 30 years and use an Armstrong flute as my primary instrument. Mine has a gold head-joint. The deep rich tone of the gold is perfect for playing solo`s at church and weddings. I have several different head joints that I use for group playing most of which are Gemeinhardt. I have owned/own several different brands, but I enjoy the tone that I produce on my Armstrong best. In college when I was ready to upgrade flutes, I played on many brands and along with the help of my professor selected the Armstrong because of the clear tone I could produce on it through out the range. One thing of note for me the Armstrong key action was `too` hard, but in the hands of a skilled technician that can be adjusted. As you are saving your money, try out the many different flute brands, try different head joints, and take someone with you for a second set of ears.

Ok thanks Elaine, but first I have to get the money!

Hey, Heather!
Okay, my name is Chris (Yes, I`m one of those rare male flute players), and I`ve played both Armstrong AND Gemeinhardt, though I cannot tell you about Armstrong, `cause it was my very first one, bought used. Basically, it was a piece of junk, because it was old, and one of the springs really needed to be replaced, and now, there`s LOTS of dents, etc on it. It is closed hole, and it got me through some of middle school, until Mom and my sister bought me a brand new Gemeinhardt... and I love it. It`s open hole, and though it doesn`t have a gizmo key, it is purty cool. It is silver, and gets really good tone. i suggest that you follow closely what Krista says, as it makes sense. In addition, while you are out looking at flutes, and trying them out, if you decide to look at some used flutes, make sure that they are fairly new, and not a "lemon," to use car terms. Because as I said, my Armstrong was used, and not all that great. In addition, you might want to check the cork of the used flute to make sure it is okay, as in both of my flutes, it is a bit too small, and in very cold weather, it shrinks, and gets out of place, causing it to be out of tune-not to mention the silver metal body, getting cold itself, making a VERY sharp flute. :P
Anyway, just watch out for used flutes, but also watch out for prices, and as some other people have said, shop around-even maybe check eBay, but there, make sure to check the seller`s "report card" on how good/bad they are.
Well, hope this helps!
Check out http://gemeinhardt.com to check stuff out... you can look at different models, find the history of the flute, even look at piccolos if ya want!
Adios for now... tell me how it goes, k?
Yahoo IM: Ck87_JF
email: Ck87_JF.online@incamail.com
Or of course, you can just post to the forum.
Anyway, have a GREAT day, and happy hunting!
God bless,
~Ck

Thanks, Chris. That helps! Again, I still need the money first! Um, What`s a gizmo key? I`ve never heard of that before!

Hi Heather, et al,
The gizmo key is an optional key located on the foot joint. Also referred to as a "high C facilitator", it`s used to bring the high C more into tune.

Re: used flutes- old DOES NOT = bad! Chris` Armstrong most likely is not a lemon- simply abused and not maintained. Any flute that has been mistreated badly enough to put dents in it and has been neglected to the point where springs are bent or broken and pads do not seal is obviously not going to play well. On the other hand, some of the best flutes are vintage models. Condition of the instrument is far more important than age, unless you`re talking about "dispoable flutes", which are a different topic all together. Chris` problem with the head cork on his flute is a minor one, and is simply lack of maintanence. Head corks should be checked on a regular basis, and should be replaced every few years. If you want to keep your flute in optimal playing condition, it should be checked out by a qualified repairman at least once per year. In fact, I think Gemeinhardt recommends you do this once every 6 months!

Chris also mentioned that his flute played very sharp when cold. Intonation will change with temperature changes on any instrument. It has nothing to do with instrument quality. This makes me wonder if he is playing his new flute in marching band. It sounds like his new flute is a conservatory level instrument. He says it is silver, but does not specifiy that it is solid serling (as opposed to silver plated, which would make it a student level instrument). Student level instruments are built to endure rough treatment. I teach elementary band, and I can tell you that it is a fact of life- even the most careful children are hard on their instruments at times. Conservatory level instruments are designed for the needs of older, more advanced players. They are more fragile than student instruments. They are not designed to withstand a lot of rough treatment. Marching band is an environment where instruments receive rough treatment, no matter how careful you try to be. You should never march with anything but a student level flute. If and when you buy a step-up flute, don`t get rid of your student model. Save it to use out on the marching field.

Re: Gizmo key
http://www.nrayworth.freeserve.co.uk/flute/notes/Gismoa.jpg
The very top bar in the row of three is the gizmo part... that adds a fourth key to the foot joint-normally there`s two in a row, and one on the other side... but the gizmo key adds a third in a row, and makes a total of four keys on the foot joint. This key can be used to go down further-without the gizmo, the lowest a flute can play is C. With the gizmo key, you can play down to B, I believe.
"Normal" foot joint:
http://www.nrayworth.freeserve.co.uk/flute/photos/cft1a.jpg
Gizmo key foot (gold):
http://www.muramatsuflute.com/photo/flute/18k/foot.jpg

Re: Flute maintanence
The only way I know of to expand the cork is to hold it over steam, but that`s just a temporary solution... and with this winter weather, even LESS effective. Anyway, any other suggestions, other than get a new cork? In addition, flute maintanence costs money, something we aren`t too big on as of late, so... I just gotta make sure to keep it in as good of condition as possible till some more grows on our money tree. :P

Re: Marching band and my flute
Also, when I was talking about the cold, and changing tone, I wasn`t meaning to imply that it has anything to do with quality... it`s just a fact of life.
I believe my flute is silver plated, but I`m not sure... most likely, though.
ELEMENTARY band??!!! Here, where I live-Burke County, North Carolina, the earliest people are started is sixth grade... middle school. In elementary, one could play recorder, but that`s pretty much it-that is, in public school. But I think the earlier, the better, ya know? That way, they get more experience. But... perhaps you have more funding there, because here, it all goes to sports.
Anyway, here at Freedom High, we need new instruments, and a new band room, as the accoustics are awful (not to mention uniforms). Anyway, I do use my "new" flute for marching band, but the old one is pretty much useless now, `cause I myself didn`t exactly take all that great care of it. But anyway, it needs LOTS of work done on it... but this one works great, and aside from a couple little leaks, it works just fine. It`s open hole, which I was wondering maybe you can answer for me: WHAT is the purpose of open hole? I hear it gives richer tone quality, etc but I didn`t really notice too much of a difference. If you`re wondering, the main leak is among my foot joint- even when I press the button for the low C, the Db key still pokes up a bit... so I have to press on both the C and Db keys to make sure it is sealed. Even then the tone is somewhat airy.
Well later for now, all!
Have a great day, and remember-practice makes really good (`cause no one can ever be perfect, `cept Jesus)!
God bless ya`ll...
~Ck

Having played the flute for over 20 years professionally, I can say honestly that the quality of sound does not neccessairly depend on the name brand. Gemeinhardts and Armstrongs and Yamahas mentioned earlier in your e-mails are all very solid flutes, especially for the beginner and intermediate player. Some professionals play top models as well, I have heard. A range of models accomodate the level of the performer. I would not rate one of these brands over another. When buying a used flute, however, be sure to note the quality of the pads to be sure they are still good, because an overhaul will add to the cost of the flute.
Rita