Well Katie, if I were you I try one out before you buy it. My close friend has a Gemeinhardt 3SB and she likes it, but when I tried it, I thought its tone wasn`t very good. Since you really like playing the flute (like I do) I would get a better flute like an Altus or Muramatsu. Although they may be expensive, they are worth every penny. I have an Altus Aprenti. It is said that Altus made a very limited amount of these flutes like a couple hundred of them or a thousand of them. I love it. Its tone is pure and everything about it is great. In my opinion, going from a Gemeinhardt to an Altus or Muramatsu, is like going from a Toyota to a Lexus. Hope this information helps. Good Luck.

I`m just questioning, I know this is stupid but why is it Toyota to Lexus? Lexus is a division of Toyota... Anyways....

Riki, are you really that slow or is it just an act?
Do you play on a solid steel Gemeinhardt flute? LOl!!!

I play on a gemeinhardt 3SB and the tone is absolutley amazing. But the flute you get really depends on your own personal preference in tone. This,in my opinion anyway, has a light free yet dark and rich tone. Don`t let anyone tell you that a Gemeinardt flute is crap. The flute doesn`t make the player, the player makes the flute.

That is the biggest BS I have ever heard! They are made very poorly. It is nice that you get a good sound out of yours, but I can garentee that the mechanism on it is holding you back if you know it or not.

sorry mike, but i`ll have to agree with `someone`. i`ve taken apart a gemeinhardt and yes, the mechanism is crappy

I have a son in seventh grade who has just achieved first chair with his flute. He has been playing a "Bundy" that is aboiut 20 years old. I have read all the above comments on the Gemeinhardts, etc. My question: open hole or closed hole for an intermediate player in 7th grade? I am thinking of a Yamaha . . .Thanks for any help you might have.

definitely open holed...(personal preference though. and bundy`s are good for beginners. i`m currently fixing one... nickel plated one from the 1940`s (?) and it`s still in good condition...

Anything by Gemeinhardt or made in Indiana is sh*t. Don`t listen to these other babies on here, they have no clue. They think just because Mommy of Daddy bought them a shiny Gemeinhardt flute that it is the best. Next they will be saying that a Bundy it good. Lol!!!!

But don`t take too much notice of what I say, because I am full of myself (& s****), and there is actually far worse s**** out there

Just bought a 2sp for $66. on ebay. I haven`t played in about 20 years or so, but wanted to get back on-board with the flute, or at least I think I do. Surely there must be worse than Gemeinhardt? How does an Armstrong 104 stand up in comparison?