I have an armstrong flute and it plays really well. I also like selmer cause its a european company and it plays really well too.

Lesley wrote "....In my opinion, Gemeinhardt flutes are not of such good quality, it was a ho hum expierience with every model I tried out. The Yamaha pro model kicked ass but it was $2,700. Pricey "

Then why didn`t you hunt down a cheaper Yamaha model. They ALL "kick ass", including the much cheaper ones.

Anyone know anything about an Armstrong 102? I know someone who`s got one for sale and was thinking about buying it.

What about the Armstrong 80 B G? Are the gold plated keys stupid or cool? I know they`ll never tarnish, but is that important? Will the gold wear off fast? Does it look beautiful or ugly? Will the gold plating affect the sound?

I need to decide between this gold plated 80BG, the regular 80 B, and the Emerson ELD.

i`ve got an armstrong heritage that i`ve played and loved for two years. i think it`s really got the response and clear, bright tone that i want and would highly recommend it to anyone.

My daughter is only just 12 years old and has learnt flute at school on an Armstrong Flute. I`d like to get her one for Christmas (probably 2nd hand) I know nothing about flutes at all. Can anyone help with brands and models please. thanks

Buying second hand instruments is a can of worms. Most people sell instruments because they have become aware of some sort of problem with it.

There have been huge improvements in design of flute heads in the last decade or two. This affects tone/clarity, volume and response.

You cannot go far wrong with Yamaha, who were probably the first to incorporate good design in their student models. For the other brands, even well known ones such as Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Artley, Selmer, most student models had, and may well still have, a pathetic tone etc compared with Yamaha.

There may be better models now, but if you are buying second hand, then you may well be buying a dud with these brands, no matter how nice it looks.

It is difficult to be specific, because the number brands runs into well over 100, and the number of models runs into many hundreds. As with motor vehicles, some models are specific to a certain part of the globe.

When buying a second hand flute, get it checked by a GOOD, independent technician - not a shop assistant!!!

There is a range of problems that could mean very expensive repair work post-purchase.

BTW, a sterling silver head, or gold plating, etc, does not turn a poorly designed flute into a good one. For many makers, the models with enhanced features actually play worse than than the equivalent model without those features. It is the DESIGN, particularly in the shape of the embouchure hole and head, that are the critical factors.

hey ummm... i own an armstrong and it has served me well 4 about 5yrs and i got a geimenhardt picc 2yrs ago and its good 2 so i think either way is good. i got my flute for a steal and i found it brand new @ a pawn shop for $115 and for the prices ive seen, thats the best.my picc cost me a fortunae @ $699 so i would find a steal if i were u and look in pawn shops.

The fact that you have struck it lucky, and the possibility that you have not played enough flutes to recognise what is really good and what is not, does not alter the fact that buying second hand without expertise is high risk stuff. MOST second hand instruments are in a rather sad state in one way or another. That is one of the main reasons they are sold.

I recently purchased a brand new combo flute/piccolo. My question is did I get a bad/good deal. It is an Armstrong #303 flute with an Armstrong #204 piccolo in a hard shell case - also including a fleece-lined soft zippered cover for the hard shell. I paid $699.00. The music store assured me that the piccolo alone was worth the price and that it was a close out - last one- that sort of thing. I`m just curious.

I have a C flute its ok i guess i really hate my band instructor she is such a well you know what i mean. What information can you give me on a C flute!?

ALL standard flutes are in the key of C, so they can be called C-flutes.

What do you mean?

I found a Gemeinhardt flute, model 2sp in a pawn shop for $62. It looks to be in good condition. Is this a good deal?

If it`s in full working order then it`s a very good deal indeed.

Liz

Thank you. Do you know what the price new would be? Also, do you know if it would be sterling silver, or silver plated?