I've been starting to save for a new flute for college, and I was wondering about used flutes. Are they usually as good as new ones? I've been thinking of saving for a used haynes or powell because of the price difference, so I would be able to afford a better flute for less money. The flute I have is used and sometimes it doesn't always cooperate, but then again its an "intermediate" flute.
Thanks

It really depends on the flute. Some used flutes and fantastic, and some aren't worth $10. I wouldn't advise buying a used flute without extensively testing it. If you want a good flute for a good price, I'd recommend an Amadeus 900. It's considered an intermediate flute, but it has the same specs as the professional 600 series Yamaha flutes and it's much cheaper. I play one and it's amazing, and the flute instructor at the university I'm going to really likes them. A used professional Haynes might be around the price I paid for my Amadeus new. Powell and Powell sonare are really nice too, but I haven't seen many of them used. I haven't seen a used sonare, but I have seen some used Powell signatures and conservatory flutes, and they were both over $5000 used. Sonare is a bit more expensive new than an Amadeus, but they're really nice. I would've gotten one if I could have afforded it.

I would actually search for used flutes, IF: You have a local repair person that can give you advice on the instrument in question. Ask your local high school band director who fixes their Instruments. Odds are its someone who works cheap, cause 99% of music departments are broke. We are so fortunate at my children's high school to have a repairman who is FIRST CLASS, and help kids and parents out because he loves music. If you can find such a person, he/she give you a list of brands that are inexpensive to repair, and also things to stay away from. You would be amazed at how cheaply you can find very nice instruments at rock bottom price, that " need pads" etc.. Most "E Bay" buyers are looking for players out of the box.

I only offer this advice, because I have a few high school kids in band, and have taken up buying instruments in need of repair, and in conjunction with our local repair guy, getting them in the hands of kids who maybe couldn't otherwise afford.

If you don't have a friendly repair guy in your phone contacts, you can always feel comfortable buying used Yamaha. Parts are basically always available, and repairs are surprisingly inexpensive. (I'm not speaking to stuck valves or slides on brass, but more,to pads, etc..) Im not even speaking to how good they are or not, but in my house, just for my own kids I've had Yamaha trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, keyboards, guitars, trombones... Never been left in the cold.. Good luck