[CashSax]

Whew 54 views already..no opinions..well I hope it isn't a bad flute. I grabbed one off Fleabay and hope it's gonna be alright to replace my old Selmer USA workhorse, I paid 3 bills for the coin silver USA many yrs back and have logged many hundreds of gigs on it, actually has a great tone, but response with old pads ain't great, I need a replacement bad, figured I'd try for something a bit better.

I have read varying opinions on pad quality, construction etc..

 

[bruce bailey]

Nice flutes. Probably worth used in the $3,500 range in good playing shape.

 

[CashSax]

Nice flutes. Probably worth used in the $3,500 range in good playing shape.

Hey thanks Bruce I know you know Flutes..I may have scored, FWIW it's not ancient old (3 yrs old) but not played much, the flute was left out and it's dusty, and I see some surface scratching. But I got a steal I think, not much web info on the "Premiere" model. Pics were crappy anyway hoping it's OK in person, we'll see.

Keep those opinions coming Thanks

 

[rcpayne]

I recently bought a signature and it is a very nice flute. It has a great low end which speaks really easily. I'm a bit puzzled by your post though, you mean to say you want a new flute because the one you have needs new pads? Why not just have new pads installed? Still, I think you'll be pleased with the signature.

 

[CashSax]

I recently bought a signature and it is a very nice flute. It has a great low end which speaks really easily. I'm a bit puzzled by your post though, you mean to say you want a new flute because the one you have needs new pads? Why not just have new pads installed? Still, I think you'll be pleased with the signature.

I am told cost to repad an old Selmer USA is more than it's worth, plus I wanted an upgrade. I am playing a lot of Flute these days on my gigs. Glad to hear the great low end news, The low B on the the old worn Selmer barely will speak. Also the USA will remain my backup for certain bar gigs.

 

[rcpayne]

I am told cost to repad an old Selmer USA is more than it's worth, plus I wanted an upgrade. I am playing a lot of Flute these days on my gigs. Glad to hear the great low end news, The low B on the the old worn Selmer barely will speak. Also the USA will remain my backup for certain bar gigs.

I was playing a Haynes from the seventies for a many years and it took me a few days to get used to a modern flute like the signature as I just wasn't used to a modern head joint. I had to adjust my embouchure somewhat. Modern flutes seem to be made to really project and I think my Powell takes a bit more support than the Haynes. Once I got used to it, it's really easy to play and it has a rich tone, also harmonics are a breeze. As you can see I'm pretty impressed with the signature. A new one runs around seven thousand now. As far as pads mine came with Straubinger pads but I've also seen new signatures that don't come with Straubinger pads, though not everyone likes Straubingers. The build quality seems excellent but I'm not an expert technician so take that for what it's worth.

 

[CashSax]

Thanks RC this is very informative info..!!

I have wanted a Powell since I first tried one briefly many many moons ago. I never could invest that kind of bread into a Flute and as a kid first played Emerson then Gemeinhardt and Armstrong (thinwall open hole B foot) before my Selmer USA.

This will be quite a step up for me. Mine has a Gold riser too, I read it is almost $700 option. I wonder if the cut is something special too ? I am no expert on Flutes but I am learning quick. Really having a ball these days with my smooth jazz Duo, fantastic sounds w/guitar-flute combo:mrgreen:

 

[rcpayne]

I believe they all have the same head joint cut. I ordered my first flute from Sears and Robuck through their mail order catalog. Hey, it played! Good luck with your new flute, I'm pretty sure it will be quite a step up for you.

 

[soybean]

Seems like you got a bargain! Did somebody use something rough to try and clean/polish it?

 

[CashSax]

Soy I don't think it is that same flute, I saw the "rough" Powell Premiere w/gold that went for just over $900. The one I got was bought new 3 1/2 yrs ago and given as a gift to the owner, the young student only played it for a year, it's dusty as hell but not "rough" it is shiny with what looks like light scratching from handling. Pads should still be like new. I paid a bit more than 9 bills to get it.

 

[soybean]

Oops, I just assumed that was the one you got.

 

[CashSax]

HOLD The Presses,,Turned out eBay listing was incorrect and I did not get a genuine Sterling body Sig..thanks to ebay I can return for refund..the REAL thanks goes to our own Bruce Bailey who spotted the discrepancy and headed me off at the Pass, I owe that man a few Beers..

Oh well on to the next one.

 

[Dr G]

HOLD The Presses,,Turned out eBay listing was incorrect and I did not get a genuine Sterling body Sig..thanks to ebay I can return for refund..the REAL thanks goes to our own Bruce Bailey who spotted the discrepancy and headed me off at the Pass, I owe that man a few Beers..

Oh well on to the next one.

Let me guess... It was one of those advertised with a genuine Powell Signature head joint?

Beers for Bruce, indeed.

Cheers!

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

Cash, I 've had a powell Sonore flute for a few years. It is easy to play and fat tone. I added a rodger young wooden head for 1700 and now I'm set. As many will tell you get a decent body that will perform for you but be aware that the head really makes a huge difference. good luck The used Flute market is way soft so you should be able to get a good flute in that range. I went to a high end sale last weekend and the only flute I liked better than my set up was a Hanes/Mckenna flute with a gold lip riser. Only 14K so only 11000 more than I was willing to spend K

 

[CashSax]

Let me guess... It was one of those advertised with a genuine Powell Signature head joint?

Beers for Bruce, indeed.

Cheers!

No, the instrument came from a young flute student who mis-identified the body as "Sterling"..well it wasn't. So I am returning it for a full eBay refund. It did have the genuine Sig head joint and Gold riser, but it had the nickel silver plate China body..

 

[CashSax]

Cash, I 've had a powell Sonore flute for a few years. It is easy to play and fat tone. I added a rodger young wooden head for 1700 and now I'm set. As many will tell you get a decent body that will perform for you but be aware that the head really makes a huge difference. good luck The used Flute market is way soft so you should be able to get a good flute in that range. I went to a high end sale last weekend and the only flute I liked better than my set up was a Hanes/Mckenna flute with a gold lip riser. Only 14K so only 11000 more than I was willing to spend K

Keith, I appreciate your input. I know you know your Flutes. I will be a lot more careful before pulling the trigger again..PS I sure miss the Bay Area especially Sonoma Co.

 

[turf3]

So it doesn't have a solid silver body; but is the price you paid a fair price for the solid silver head and plated body variant?

Personally I favor silver plated nickel alloy for flute mechanism and am agnostic about it for flute tubes, since I don't believe it has any effect on tonal quality. Nickel alloy would make a somewhat more dent and wear resistant tube but denting and wear haven't been a problem for me. It does make a more wear resistant and bend resistant keywork which is a plus for me. I would be perfectly OK with a plated head joint but most manufacturers offer their models that have a selection of heads - and the heads with more fine tuning and hand work - in sterling head variant only.

I don't think anyone has claimed those old Louis Lot or Bonneville flutes with plated body and head tubes were deficient in tonal quality.

 

[CashSax]

So it doesn't have a solid silver body; but is the price you paid a fair price for the solid silver head and plated body variant?

Personally I favor silver plated nickel alloy for flute mechanism and am agnostic about it for flute tubes, since I don't believe it has any effect on tonal quality. Nickel alloy would make a somewhat more dent and wear resistant tube but denting and wear haven't been a problem for me. It does make a more wear resistant and bend resistant keywork which is a plus for me. I would be perfectly OK with a plated head joint but most manufacturers offer their models that have a selection of heads - and the heads with more fine tuning and hand work - in sterling head variant only.

I don't think anyone has claimed those old Louis Lot or Bonneville flutes with plated body and head tubes were deficient in tonal quality.

Well it wasn't what I thought it was and it would have been more than I wanted to spend on a Chinese model

My repair guy tells me to get a Yamaha and be done with it, but there's so many different models my heads spins. I'll need to ask some questions I guess..