Gemeinhart 30SB- Buy or not??

[Honeyboy]

Okay, time for some advice. I have an opportunity to buy a Gemeinhart 30SB flute for $500.00 The flute is solid silver in all three sections. It has a J1 stamped on the headjoint which I believe means thinner metal. I looked on their website and in a Kelly Blue Book but the closest thing I could find was a 33SB. I don't play the flute but would like to tinker around. The price seems good for a solid silver flute. Anyone know about this model ? If not, what is a good flute website where I could ask some floutists? I want desperately to be a floutist!!

[I. Fallon]

Hi Honeyboy.

I think that $500 is a good price for this flute in good condition and with decent pads. I paid about $750 about five years ago for a 3SB new.

I think that the J on the headjoint represents a Japan (Yamaha) style of cut. It is popular.

The O represents an offset G, which in my opinion is a good thing (I wish my son's had it). The B foot is more difficult to use than a C foot, but it is nice to have.

The flute has open tone holes. I agree with Gordon that you are likely not to need them (they can be covered with corks or with plastic inserts made for the job).

The 33SB is more than a step above this flute. This manufacturer is out of favor with professional players and the additional money for the 33SB is a hard sell.

I wish you luck with it.

[Bootman]

The Gemmy solid sivler flutes have a great sound but there are manufacturing issues with these instruments. The quality isn't as good as you would like to have for a great flute. For the money though, it would be hard to beat. Considering all factors, financial versus what you woud gain by buying a Japanese flute, then I would suggest that this Gemmy would be an ideal buy for yourself.

I prefer open hole flutes, it allows for a nicer feel to the instrument which in turn makes it easier to play. I have never been a fan of closed hole flutes, you learn to put your fingers in the correct position and the open hole flutes works very nicely. The benefits of correct hand position is increased level of technique. There is no slack given to poor hand position, it only slows you down and stops you from playing certain phrases.

All the best in your search. Other options to consider are Dimiedici, Muramatsu, Haynes and Powell for the big powerful fltue sound. The standard of most modern flute sounds is to have a slightly daintier sound, more girly sound where as men are built differently and so the sound of a male flautist is different to most female flautists.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Seriously consider age.

Flutes older than 15 to 20 years, in spite of being solid silver, may have a head that is actually quite pathetic to play, by today's standards.

I have just serviced a Yamaha - 'top of the range' hand made flute of a few decades ago and expected something great when I play-tested it. The tone was dead and boring, the volume was pathetic. It performed FAR better with a STUDENT Yamaha head. The customer agreed.

There have been huge advances in head design in the last couple of decades.

Never assume that because a flute is sterling silver it is better to play. It is design that is the main factor by far, and Gemeinhardt is not particularly hot on design.

[Honeyboy]

Gentlemen, thanks for the replies. I'll consider your suggestions and take along a good player to try it out. I'm pretty sure it is kind of new. The headjoint is a J1 which is still sold in various catalogues such as WW&BW. I thought it was a 30 but apparenltly it's a 3 with a letter o after it. That makes lots of sense. Thanks. Honeyboy

[curious]

Recently been doing flute purchase research myself. Double check the solid silver point, though, I think even the older models were followed by "S" when they were solid, e.g. 3S..then "OSB".. If, for example, it's just the head that's solid silver and the body is sil. plate, then the price is stil better than new but not as good as for solid silver.

[mike]

Curious: Are you sure about that?

"2"means plateau-keyed flutes and "3" are open hole flutes. S meant solid silver head and body with silver-plated keys, SS meant solid silver head, body AND keys (pro model flutes), and SH meant silver head and plated body and keys. "B" meant a B-foot instead of a C-foot.

As other posters have pointed out, the 33SB is in the "professional" series. The 30SB is an intermediate (conservatory, for you flute snobs out there) flute, and it has the same features as a 3SB, but with an offeset G. The head and body should be silver, the keys are silver plated. Gemeinhardt lists the offset G as a special-order item. Also, check with the seller as descriptions (from dealers, not Gemeinhardt) seem to vary as to whether or not a spit-E is standard on this flute.

Some on-line dealers state a list price of $1795 for the flute with selling prices listed as $800-$950, so if the flutes is in good shape and doesn't need any major pad work, $500 is a good deal.

Also, this should be a fairly recent flute, so it should have a modern head joint.

Ain't google wonderful?

[Honeyboy]

Thank you again for your interest. Mike, you seem to be correct in everything you said. Each section actually says solid silver on them. It does have the offset G and says custom on the flute, implying special order. Suuposedly, it is 2 years old. I did go ahead and buy it and , after 3 days of trying, I have finally gotten some sound out of it without passing out and made my first performance of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" in the keys of Bb and C in front of my not too impressed wife. I see I am going to have to get a flute teacher for these early days- the "Art of Flute Playing" is helpful but I think I need someone to watch and point out my mistakes. I finally figured out I wasn't covering enough of the hole with my lip to get a full sound. Stuff like this a teacher can help. Also my left wrist isn't as uncomfortable as it first was- Physical flexibility isn't one of my specialties. Thanks again for everyone's help. Honeyboy

[curious]

right... looking back through the thread, you said you saw a 33sb
meaning solid silver B foot... it was someone else who has mentioned OS, meaning off/set G
I got a 3MS which had only ever been in the hands of a single adult owner so it's in great shape..and sounds good,

[I. Fallon]

If your lip slips around, I made some vinyl "friction" appliques that you can apply to the lip plate, and finger anchor points. I'd be happy to send you a set if you need them. It was darn hard for me when I started. I later learned that postage stamps also work (mine look nicer).