The el cheapo flute we bought used for like $150 when she first expressed an interest has has broken several times. She seems to like playing and we don’t think it is worth repairing. We want to buy her a better instrument. Her band teacher had the music store he works with come in with two step up models, the Armstrong 800B (his price 1002.13–found on the web for 810-850) and the Gemeinhardt UVO (or perhaps VBO, can’t really tell and I can’t find that particular model on the net). Several questions–which of these is the better instrument? What other instruments that he did not show us is considered as good or better at the same or lower price? Am I stupid to buy over the internet, since they come with a warranty and that would be very hard to have fulfilled with a store in California, since the local company would doubtless provide a free loaner while repairs are being made?
I don’t like Gemeinhardt, but I haven’t had one for over 10 years so they may have improved. I think Yamaha flutes are reasonably priced and good quality, so you might want to try that. For a new flute, I would definitely recommend Yamaha. Armstrong’s OK, but not as good as Yamaha in my opinion.
Now, for those prices, you might be able to get her a more high-end brand used. I bought a very used, but great condition Muramatsu about 6 years ago for $400 or 500, although I did “know” some people, and I think I got it pretty cheap. It was silver-plated, not solid silver. For a young player, this may not matter. It was great as my backup flute. I would say if she’s well into high school and will be playing in college, you should probably get solid silver.
Check out Flute World . As far as I recall, you can order a flute and try it for 2 weeks before you buy it.
If she’s just a few years into it, she doesn’t need a B-foot, but it’s not a problem if you find a flute that has one. If she’s really serious, she should get a B-foot flute. Open hole is good but not necessary. Again, you’ll probably want open hole if she’s older and plans to continue playing. If you get an open hole, ask the dealer for some plugs for the holes to make the transition easy.
One other thing to look for, especially if she has smaller hands, is an offset G. There is no reason to get an in-line G except maybe price. Still, I’d pay a little more for the offset G because the strain can cause carpal tunnel syndrome or other problems. I honestly don’t recall which costs more. Now, some folks will say an in-line G is preferred. I can’t think of one reason why it should be preferred. If offset is good enough for Wally Kujala (CSO flutist/picc ?emeritus?), it’s good enough for me.
Good luck! Let us know what you get!
Let’s see, she’s 12 years old and has been playing for about three years. I have heard the Yamaha is very good, it is what my brother in law bought for his daughter. Unfortunately, her current flute is incapacitated most of the time (the foot collar is no longer welded on and comes loose and then all she can do is squeek). The two flutes she was given to try out by the band teacher are the Armstrong and the Gemeinhart, so she gets to try them for quite awhile. The Armstrong has a solid sterling headjoint as well as a solid sterling body. Both have b foot and offset g. I definately think the Armstrong has a richer sound. She is in seventh grade now and plans on playing through high school, so the solid silver Armstrong sounds good. Also, I can get it for 810 at a place called Muzet in New York, which means no taxes. I was concerned about not buying it local, in case it breaks, but someone who knows says not to worry, a decent flute (and he said these are decent) almost certainly will not break. I will check out flute world though. Thanks for the info, and I will let you know what we decide.
My mistake. The Armstrong, which she definately likes better, has an in line g. She says she doesn’t really see much difference as far as playing the note is concerned. Do you think an offset g is really important, or if she likes it after playing for about an hour should that be enough?
Nitpick: You don’t pick a flute; you pick a low.
Am I the only person a little freaked out but the idea of Flute World?!?!?!
Flute World.
A World of Flutes!
The offset/inline G is really a matter of preference. If she will be practicing for hours, yes, it could become an issue in the health of her hand. But ultimately she needs to go with what feels good to her.
My first flute is/was a Gemeinhardt. It’s still sort of alive after nine years and five marching seasons. I’m very proud of it. It plays flat all the time and it’s a bit scummy, but it’s good enough for marching band.
The one I’ve had for five years now is a Yamaha, open hole, B foot, inline G. I like it a lot except for maybe the inline G. If I ever have enough money to get another flute, I’ll probably get one with offset G (it’s more comfortable, and I’m terrified of wrecking my hands.)
This flute shopping thing is very interesting. I know nothing about flutes or music but the salesman that generally sells to the school my daughter goes to brought her the two flutes I mentioned. Flute World does not carry Armstrong and the gemeinhardt VBO is not a standard model for that company so you can’t price it anywhere else. When I called the salesman and asked if his prices were firm he said yes, and I said that is a shame because I found the Armstrong for close to $200 less. Then he told me, ummm, their policy is to match any price and I could have the Armstrong 800B for the $810, and also offered to bring different flutes for my daughter to try. What I will probably do is offer him $850 for the Armstrong 800 BOF, which has the offset G and retails for exactly the same price as the 800 B. I will let you know what happens. While I am at it, if anyone feels like looking at the specs for the 800 B and telling me which Gemeinhardt and Yamaha is closest it would be greatly appreciated.
Hrumph!
No Pan Flutes at Fluteworld?
What’ll I do if the Dryads drop by? 
My first flute was a Gemeinhart, closed hole, C foot, offset G. Great for a first flute. Not great for richness.
My second flute my parents bought used- an Armstrong, silver head, C foot, “normal” G. It has beautiful deep tones that I enjoy. The higher registers, not so much for purity of sound. It has been one hell of a trouper though. I used it throughout high school marching band, practicing at home or in orchestras/symphonies 15-20 hours/week. So far I have replaced the pads once. That’s it. I still use it for certain types of music that I want that silky sound.
(Now I play on my Miazawa which puts my other flutes to shame).
I have tried Yamahas. The tone is decent overall. But I still prefer an Armstrong.
Just a bit of unsolicited advice: In my experience your average music store salesman is about as ethical as your average used car salesman. I know nothing about flutes so I can’t comment on those prices, but you being a parent with no experience in music (if I understand correctly) you might as well tatto “Sucker” on your forehead, because that’s what he’s thinking when he sees you. I’ve seen people pay double what they should just because the salesman knew that they didn’t know any better. No music store’s prices are ever firm. Shop around a lot and negotiate with everybody. Seriously, go about it almost like buying a car.
Of course, a flutist may come along and say those are great prices, in which case ignore what I’ve said. Good luck, and I hope you get a good flute at a fair price.
Actually, you are echoing what my brother-in-law told me. He is an elementary band teacher. He said that instrument prices are always negotiable and that I should go in with the same attitude as if I was buying a car. As the “list” price for the Armstrong flute is $1,700, and seeing as how $810 was the lowest price I could find on the internet, including warehouse kind of places, I think I will be getting a reasonable price. I was quite amused at how the salesman went from “the price is firm” to “we have a policy to match any price” after I was able to give him actual prices from actual music stores that I had found on the internet.
Also, the fact that flutists have posted saying Armstrong is a good brand has helped alot. With my fount of musical knowledge, I could easily have paid Jaguar prices for a Yugo. I don’t think that will happen now.
Do have her try various models and various flutes within each model. Every flute sounds different with every person. I tried four Miyazawa’s before I settled on mine.
I wanted to ask (but forgot to)- you stated her current flute keeps breaking- what happens? Screws come undone? broken keys?
Like I said, I’ve never played the flute, but generally half of “list” is a fair price, or at least a good starting place for negotiations if you feel like trying to get it down a little more. So it sounds like you are getting a decent price.
Good luck to you and your daughter. I hope she keeps up with music.
Yeah, I hope she does, too. I have no musical abilities at all, but am envious of those that do.
I am looking to get a reasonable price, not the lowest price I possibly can. Everyone deserves to make a living, and at less than half list, he won’t be making a lot off of me.
Let’s see. Her first flute we bought used, and it is a student model. Two keys, or covers, or whatever they are called broke, though not at the same time, the case broke, although that probably doesn’t count, and now the collar from the body of the flute to the foot came unwelded and while you can jam it back on and play, it will come off again, and the flute becomes the emitter of annoying squeeky sounds. My big mistake was buying this used flute in the first place. If I had been more intelligent about it I would have done what I am doing now. For $300, which is about what we paid, I probably could have gotten a decent student model new. I don’t know the model, but what she has now is an Armstrong, but from the way low end.
Holy bejeebers! That does sound messed up!
There is nothing wrong with buying a used flute, as long as you buy it from a reputible dealer or someone you trust. I know when my parents bought my Armstrong they went through my teacher to find a seller. Then, before I received it, they took it to a repairman to go over it.
What I’m finding out with regards to “student models” is that music shops have a list of brands/models/prices they use for each school. When LilMiss killed her first violin the salesman opened up a book, looked up her school name, went in back and grabbed a “new” violin from the rack and said “Here you go”. Uh, no. We then had him go back and select a few different violins for her to try before choosing one. It was not on their “Orchestra Formulary” for her school, so we were charged a bit more. O well. This violin sounds much nicer than the one they wanted us to take.
I might have one for her, if she’s over 18 . . . 
(Somebody had to do it. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.)
She’s twelve. Is this one of the Jackson’s?