Hey. So can anyone tell me, based on their experience, which flutes are good, decent, and bad? I`m still thinking about getting an actual name brand flute, since mine is just one of those cheap flutes you get off ebay and I got it to see if I`d like playing flute. Thanks.

Yamaha is, in my opinion, the most trust worthy. Mine is yamaha and it`s the best.

Yamaha. Stay away from Gemeinhardt, Artley or selmer flutes.

yamahas are good and so are miyazawas. in general, more of the japanese brands/companies are good to look into. Best of luck

I agree. I hate to say this since I am from the US, but Japanese brands are better built. But, if you can afford a top of the line flute the American made models such as Brannen, Haynes and Powell are wonderfull. Sadly though I those are the only US models that seem to be any good.

Gemeinhardt-ok. I think they`re fine for a beginner though a lot of people "boo" them.
Yamaha-pretty nice. Most people in general like them and like them better than Gemeinhardt. Pearl-ok. Some like them, others don`t. Powell/Sonare-nice. Maybe Sonare isn`t as good as Powell, but I like it. And I don`t know anything about Haynes. Trevor James-nice. Lots of good reviews on those. Muramatsu and Miyazawa are two tops. Hardly any negative opinions on those.

What about armstrongs? This person from my school band is getting an upgrade on her flute, so she`s offering to sell her beginner armstrong to me.

Hey I definetely recomend Gemienhart (sp) I think almost all their flutes play with such a beautiful and clear sound. I would never play any other brand besides that. Selmer is also good. I don`t recomend bundy they`re OK.

Well, there are definetely better flutes than Gemeinhardt but I like Gemeinhardt for a beginner or even intermediate.

I am a repair tech and see Gemeinhardt flutes all the time. They are horrible! They are always coming out of adjustment, the pads are never seated properly and the tone holes are always uneven.

Dancerqt, may I ask what level of playing you are on to be able to recommend a Gemeinhardt so highly?
I would ask you if you have compared them to any other brands, but unless you are a very experienced player (College or beyond) you most likely wouldn`t be able to tell all of the different subtleties to them anyway.

Armstrong is okay, and they are at least made better then a Gemeinhardt, but the mechanism is very bulky and slow.

Dancerqt, Selmer and bundy are the same thing. And they are both junk. If you can`t get your facts straight then please don`t be giving out advise.

try a trevor j james flute i find it plays better than yamaha`s

You should get a beginner/intermediate flute from Yamaha, since it`s pretty affordable, and I guarantee you, you will be happy that you bought a Yamaha after a no-name brand flute!

I have An armstrong flute !!!!! its ok but........ theres better !!!

Finally! Riki says something worth while!