i just got into the grade 7 band this year and my mom told me i can upgrade but instead of buying me a new flute she gave away my first flute called armstrong and gave me her old one instead! D= it looks old and its not shiny like the flutes my friends have. they have gameinhart (?) and jupiters and armstrongs someone even has a yamaha that all look really nice and new i havn't checked the brand name yet but yeah why could'nt i get a new flute instead -____-

What really matters is how the flute sounds and responds. If you dislike the dullness and old look it has, you can take it to a shop and they'll polish it to look brand new. But I would say take it to a shop anyway, so they can give you more info about the flute, and whether or not it needs repair, since it sounds like it's quite old.

The brands sounds like it is Japanese. It says "The Muramatsu Flute" on the tube. I don't even know if it is made of silver, but it is actually really good, way better than my old one. opinions on The Muramatsu flute brand anyone? But yeah it isnt exactly real pretty oh well

also my band teacher said that american flutes are better so he told me to get one when i can

A muramatsu is a much better flute than the student models you mentioned. It would be well worth having it serviced and polished. It should then look fine and play great. I'm very jealous!
Jim

Even the cheepest Muramatsu is far better flute than all of the flutes that your friends have, lucky you.

Girl, you're crazy! Your mother gave you a very valuable gift. A professional flute tech can take your flute and make it look brand new, but that's only skin deep.

Muramatsu is a very prestigious flute maker. James Galway famously played Muramatsu for many years. Your band director is not a flutist and his opinion of brands may only be limited to student flute models... your flute is a professional flute!

Your band director thinks American flutes are better? Oh jeez. While it's true that you should avoid the cheap Chinese-made flutes, American and Japanese flutes are pretty much equal in quality. Don't let your director dictate what brands to buy, because they clearly don't know anything about flutes beyond which student brands are durable and reliable enough for beginners. Your flute is a very good instrument. Anyone would be lucky to have one.

well i realize i've been really ungrateful...i guess i'd just wanted a new flute. my mom is coming to see me this weekend (i live with my grandparents) and i'll give her a big hug. she told me she got it used from her teacher and it's called an ST.

but yeah it does sound way better than my old flute...so much clearer and "round". idk why my band director thinks that american flutes are better.

Unless I'm mistaken, the ST model is the standard model from decades ago. I don't think they make new STs anymore. They only have EX, GX, and DS for the current models of silver flutes.

The Standard model from Muramatsu is a flute from the 70's. I own one. I can say it's a very strong flute, entirely made of silver. I still use mine from time to time just for keeping it in shape. You know, flutes are just like cars.

You have an excelent flute in hands, and maybe it's just a matter of sending it for a complete revision (in a good professional technician) so you have the most out of it.

By the way, tell your band director there is no such thing like "american flutes are better". Things like that only lead you to the kind of ignorance the world doesn't need any more.

I'm sure your flute colleagues will be a bit jealous about your new flute... :-)

Have your flute serviced (make sure its by a good technician, ideally somebody certified by Muramatsu) and polished, and you'll think its brand new.

You can tell your friends (and your ignorant band "director") that you now have a classic flute that sells for prices from $2,500 to $5,000. How many other flutes in your band are as valuable and highly regarded?