Flute Advice, Please

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I've been playing a student Armstrong (model 104) for the past four years. It's safe to say that it's pretty durable and is not too beat up or anything. It hadn't had a single repair until last fall during marching band season. To this day, I do not know what caused the problems, but I blame them on the bleachers and the rain. Well, the pads aren't really great anymore and it just won't play like it used to. I refuse to take it to get repaired again and waste another $50 or more on a flute that is going to get soaked in the rain and messsed up even more. (Yes, my director makes us march in the downpours and lightning.) Just to let you know how wet it has gotten, it took two days to completely dry everything out (and I had it under an air vent when it was at school).

With this said, I need some advice on purchasing a used flute so that I will have one to play indoors that actually works well. I have done my internet research and read many flute message boards but my question has never been answered. My question is, which flute model (especially out of the ones I mentioned) would you guys recommend?

As of now, I'm considering:

-Yamaha 461H
-Yamaha 561H
-Yamaha 574H

I've mentally listed out the pros and cons for each, but I want some imput from others. Since I'm sure that you'll problably ask this, I am going to be a HS sophomore and I intend to use the flute through the end of HS. As of right now, I have no intention of majoring in music in college, but I would like to have a dependable instrument to get me through HS, while I still have time to enjoy being a musician. Are there any other flute brands or models that you would also recommend?

Patrick
(1387 points)

the best, and least confusing advice, is as follows:

set a budget, go to a reputable dealer who sells several good brands, and try several in your price range, the feel and tone and response will be obvious to you.

Kara
(2843 points)

The 561 and 574 will basically give you the same sound, and I would go with one of them as they come with a better style headjoint IMHO. Though I do agree with Patrick, you need to try them out for yourself and choose what feels the best for you. Good luck!

maw102190
(17 points)

set a budget, go to a reputable dealer who sells several good brands, and try several in your price range, the feel and tone and response will be obvious to you.

I wish that I could... the good music store in my area doesn't sell Yamahas, only Gemeinhardt, Emerson, and Jupiter step-up models. I've heard negitive things about all of those brands. I know that Flute World has a 561H on consignment, but it's $1900 (or something like that) and a new 574H is about that much. I have less than half of that. I'd planned on keeping an eye out on sites like UsedFlutes.com and then working out a trial agreement with the seller. I figured that I could get a slightly better flute that way.

Also does the silver-plated body of the 574 sound that much different than a solid silver model? I think that the 574 has the gold springs. Would those things make the 574 a 'better' or 'not so much beter' choice than the 561? Also, I've heard that the scale of the 561 is a little old. Is this a bad thing, either?

Thanks for the advice so far! =)

Flutist06
(1545 points)

Well, as for the plating, this is part of the material argument that has been raging since time immemorial. Some believe that it matters, some don't. I personally believe it has a small effect (much less than the player or the cut of the head), but primarily to the player, not the audience, and that most of the impact of the material is apparent in the headjoint, not the body or foot. A plated body has very little impact on the sound, so unless you hear a difference when testing flutes, it might be wise to take the less expensive option, especially considering the fact that you only have definite plans to play for a few more years. The gold springs, at least in my experience, only have a small impact on the feel of the mechanism, and do not necessarily indicate a "better" flute. And the scale most likely will not matter to you. I cannot vouch for it, but I suspect that the scale on a new 561 would be extremely similar to the scale on a new 574. Most flutes, no matter how poorly scaled can be played in tune by a player with a good ear. The newer scales make it a bit easier to play in tune, but for someone without any musical aspirations past high school, having a slightly easier to play flute (intonation-wise) is probably not the greatest concern, especially with a limited budget.

Patrick
(1387 points)

Maw, many flute dealers such as www.flute4u.com, www.flutefinders.com, etc, will let you try an instrument on trial, they do this all the time and are generally insured for it, you need to try a good flute alone in your home where you are comfortable and in playing situations, also contact Joe B and www.langemusic.com to see his trial policy or www.yourfluteworks.com, this is how I always try instruments

Alieannie
(656 points)

And keep in mind, too, just about any brand will have some negative feedback on some aspect. One flute brand can't please every single flute player, otherwise there'd be only one brand in business!
I adore my yamaha, my teacher loves her muramatsu, my stand partner loves his gemeinhardt. Everyone has preferences and different playing comforts. Patrick is exactly right-- you have to try them for yourself. Go to a music store and do a blindfold test, having someone hand you the flute so you don't have to look at anything. You'll know the right one when you play it.

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