Decent inexpensive flute

[spiderjames]

I need to do some doubling on Flute. It's been a few years and I need a good used flute to do some woodshedding on and then play a few gigs. I don't want to break the bank as I may not be using it much. I don't care what name is on it or even if it is considered a proline flute as long as it has decent tone and intonation. Any good suggestions that wont set me back too much.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Without getting bogged down with details, you can't go far wrong with Yamaha.

[Benny]

dito to that

[lowguy]

Yamaha's study flutes are the best !
you can try Roy Benson too, quiet godd and cheaper than Yamaha

[DanY]

I vote for Pearl! My student Pearl flute is easy to play, has a big fat sound, and hasn't let me down in 6 years of (intermittent) playing.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Many models (which ones is not well disclosed!) of Pearl are made in Taiwan, and like most other Taiwan-made, are not really up to scratch mechanically. In my area they have a reputation for lack of reliability, which is because of this.

Recent student Yamahas can have some unwelcome problems too though.

[spiderjames]

thanks for the responses. I'll try some yamahas.

[gary]

Spider, I just spent some time with a friend of mine on tour with the Philadelphia orchestra. I'm probably in the market for an upgrade on my flute and when asked what a lot of people are playing that is excellent but wouldn't break the bank, I was expecting him to say Muramatsu or Pearl but he immediately said Yamaha. For the record, this guy's got tons of credibility.

[tubbycub]

I read through the specs of Yamaha intermediate flutes (300 series) and their headjoints are made of sterling silver. What I am trying to find out here is that I keep hearing people mentioning about solid silver headjoints, what exactly are they referring to? Is it sterling silver or pure silver?

[mike]

Almost all "pure" silver items, including flute head-joints, are silver alloys. 100% silver is too soft. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Coin silver is between 80% and 90% silver. I don't know if there is an official designation of the minimum silver content for "solid silver", but my guess that it would be at least 90% coin silver and most likely to be sterling silver.

[bruce bailey]

That is correct on the Coin being 90%. Most makers use sterling, but you will find coin being used by all from Gemeinhardt, most from Selmer and Jupiter. The density is what counts as Sterling is about 10.5 and common nickel is about 7. Alloys of Gold are between 13.5 and 16 with platinum around 19.5-20.5. The denser the metal, the clearer the sound and the more resistance. For the money, a silver head on a plated flute is the best compromise.

[Gordon (NZ)]

However, there is not a big difference between Yamaha's basic model and the equivalent with their 'basic' silver head model. That is because their basic model is so good.

If the density of the metal does indeed have anx effect - and in probably the most controlled test yet carried out it was demonstrated to have no significant effect - then that is only likely to become apparent in the top level heads where the DESIGN is upgraded from the student model.

[tubbycub]

I just bought a YFL-311 and gosh! It was great, I can finally hit the 3rd octave up to A3 with ease. I was never able to get anything above D3 on my old Armstrong without overblowing. The tone is better too.

Relatively inexpensive and good. Highly recommended for doublers!

[Gordon (NZ)]

That is the model that is my favourite silver-head student flute. When I play one for a couple of hours I begin to wonder why I have a top-of-the-silver-range Muramatsu. (Disclaimer: I am just an accomplished 'amateur')

This model is probably seldom seen in USA because it is closed hole, split-e, low-C, off-set-G. Sooooo sensible! Yes, perfect for a doubler.

[tubbycub]

Thanks Gordon for reinforcing this, now I'll love my flute even more :)

[xraydog]

I started playing on a Yamaha YFL-385. It now is my backup flute and is a wonderful player. I recenty purchased an Altus 1107 flute. The odd number Altus flutes have a Britannia Silver (95.8%) headjoints or headjoints and bodies. I thought is was a gimmick, however, it is much smoother / warmer in the upper registers compared to the sterling silver model of the same flute.

I think the 907 model is the base model with the Britannial silver headjoint.

You can check them out at:

www.altusflute.com

xraydog