Hi All

I just got a secondhand Trevor James 10x mark II student flute online (I know, lol), and it has some patches of discolouration and small pock marks or pits, inside the head joint. My guess...it was caused by moisture inside.

I know the right answer is "take it to a qualified technician"...but since I bought it from Ebay, paid using Paypal, and the flute was described as in optimum condition and hardly used, I could get a refund.

I guess the key question is "How does it play": answer - beautifully for the first few minutes, when it's cold and dry, then it starts to sound fuzzy. It seems to get wet inside much quicker than my old (worse make) student flute.

Any idea or suggestions, please? Anyone come across something similar?

[I'm a Grade 5 player, but have a good ear. The tone difference is definitely there over time, and it's the flute rather than me]. Thanks!

The moisture "Getting Wet" is a situation caused by the amount of breath that is going through your flute and the inside wall temperature.
The colder that the inside of your flute is, the more moisture will condense inside. Also the more you roll back the flute and cover the embouchure hole, the more air goes through it. As for the pitting/pock marks. I'm sorry that I can't help but to say that I would not have bought any flute before trying it first.

This is solely my opinion of trevor james flutes. The mechanism tends to get clunky over time, and overall they lack subtlety to their sound. Two people in my band have played trevor james flutes and this is solely my experience listening and occasionally playing their flutes. If you can get a refund, definitely try out a flute before you buy it. No mater what the brand play it, research it, and ask someone with alot of experience. Or heck ask several people. Best of luck!