I think Armstrong`s are decent enough for a beginner to use. Having worked on several of them also, I would have to agree that they can be hit and miss. I played a 104 the other day that I really loved. It had a nice robust and full sound to it.

IMHO, Yamaha is the best made and the only brand that I ever used to recommend to my students, but now after seeing the price gouging that Yamaha is doing, I am really not sure. I feel like boycotting the company.
It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Just out of curiosity, and since you work of flutes, may I ask what other brand you would recommend Rated G?

I have no complaints at all about Yamaha student flutes, (unless you get one with abrasive particles embedded in the lower tenon or socket, scratching the surfaces), This is not just brand loyalty - I am pretty disappointed with some aspects of their student saxes.

Actually prices have DROPPED significantly for Yamaha in recent months here, so the price gouging may be just local dealers near you. IMO the price gouging where I am is for brands like Artley, Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, De Ford, Pearl, Jupiter. These are typically priced much the same as Yamaha.

Wow.. here in the US, Yamaha flutes are priced at about $850, and not just my local area either, that is all over the US. The Artley and the Armstrong`s and so on, are WAY cheaper. It must just be in the US then?

What I meant with my question before is what other brand would you recommend besides Yamaha? Because let`s face it, they may be the best on the market for student line, but $850 for just a plated student flute is really stretching it for the typical modern day US family. A lot of my students parents just aren`t willing to spend that. What brand do you think would be the next best thing?

For my opinion, I would say Armstrong would be second, but I would like to hear what you have to say. It is hard for me to try and recommend anything but Yamaha, because that is my personal favorite. Now because of price increase of them here in the US, I am now forced to consider alternatives.

I couldn`t really say. The last Armstrong, almost new, that I worked on was disgusting!

I`d have to say a second hand Yamaha!

BTW, what import duty do imported instruments attract there in USA? We have none here. That may be the reason for the relative price differences.

What are your thoughts on this one? Have you seen any of these where you live? That sure beats $850!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-Flute-BRAND-NEW-YFL-01Q_W0QQitemZ7366102371QQcategoryZ85874QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have tried the Yamaha "Q-series" flute and it is ok. It does not have nearly the tone of a standard Yamaha student model, but feels mechanically sound (I only tested it - I haven`t seen any after long use) and is a reasonable alternative for my band students that can`t afford anything more expensive - some of my students can`t really afford the ISOs (Instrument Shaped Objects) either.

My understanding is that the parts are manufactured in Japan and assembled elsewhere.

A fellow repairer comments
"That is one of the new "Q" models that Yamaha is promoting to compete with the "China Syndrome" instruments. The horns - flute, trumpet, alto sax - are "OK"; not as good as their standard student line but far superior to the other "cheapie" stuff out there."

BTW that seems to be an extra low price.

i have had fiends, who in the past, have had a jupiter flute, she bought it brand new, and it was almost constantly having to be taken it to the shop. i personally had started on an armstrong, and it helped get to the chair i needed to be. Eventually i felt i grew out of that flute, so my father bought me trevor j. james flute, and i felt like i fell in love. the tone was beautiful, and i liked the way the flute layed in my hands much more than the pearl. the flute is averaged at about $1,500, but i feel as if it is worth every single penny. http://www.trevorjames.com/

We must remember that "Trevor James", and "Pearl" tell us very little about any particular flute.

Pearl make both poor quality and very good quality flutes.

"Trevor James" is basically a British name put on a Taiwanese (or Chinese(?) flute. The ones I have worked on and played have been pretty disappointing, compared with other flutes, but there may be model that I have not seen which are far better. For many brands, discussion is meaningless unless we say which particular MODELS we are discussing.

You know, I have been playing on an Armstrong for three years now. I started it when I entered high school. This thing is so sturdy. It has suffered through so much marching band, rain, snow, hail even! I mean, this sucker is awesome. I have pretty good tone and it tunes very well. I mean, I have always been pleased with it. The only thing I do not like about mine is the finish. Because of my heavy duty playing, the finish is almost gone and well, my flute is becoming orange! So only downer if you are thinking of marching band as it really taxes the instrument. But I have always been raelly happy with it. I would even go along with the G- Flute. I do not even want to attempt to spell it! But it has been mentioned on here, as a good flute, and it is indeed.

AS was said, there are good and bad Armstrongs; there are good and bad "G" flutes. One good flute is no indication that all flutes of that brand might be good.

And furthermore, what one person describes as good, another person, perhaps more experienced, having tried dozens or even hundreds of models, may describe as .... well.... hmmmm.... .. .. . . . . .

Let`s try to be positive.

hi everyone i`m sort of new at this forum thing I`m only 15 years old I`ve played my flute since 5th grade and i`m in 9th right now I`ve been playing a closed hole flute since 5th grade I`m looking for a step up to a flute I have a Bestler right now and it`s a piece of crap.My father got it on ebay for 100.00 plus after a couple of years The coloration of the flute began wear off and discolor I`m a firt floutist and I play Excellent. Ilooking for these specific things in the flute: open holed, solid silver, offset key, yahmaha or geminhardt or any other well known companies that hold good flute that aren`t that expensive. my mom said the max was $600 if you see a flut I might like Email me
thanks Erin

I also have an Armstrong one. It is even used and it plays wonderfully.

Erin, congrats on moving up to a better flute, you must have earned it.
I would take that $600 budget and try Yamaha, Pearl and Jupiter or any other flutes that interest you in that range and pick the one you like best, I would also stick with a c-foot

www.patrickandfriends.com

I have just acquired an Ida Maria Grassi `Prestige` flute. I have to admit, the reason I bought was, I found that the price was right. There is only one mention of a Grassi flute made in this thread and I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about them. The only thing I have been able to find out about the company is that it closed down in 2000.