In a recent conversation with Don Peck (former Principal, CSO) --- and with Sam Gordon woodwinds, Chicago, I was told that Haynes was "bought out" by a Chinese factory, and are now being made in China?

No direspect meant to China, but a venerable, time-honored flute now being made in China?

Of course, the same stima used to be held about anything "made in Japan" --- we now know how untrue that is, in that the Japanese (Muramatsu, Yamaha, etc) make some of the finest flutes.

But the Chinese are newcomers in the Orient. No wonder Don Peck said (his opinion) that Haynes "has somewhat slipped" in the last few years.

Wanted to know if anyone has any feed-back on this. Please correct me, if I'm wrong in what I "heard".

Regards to all: Jim Millen

Haynes was bought by Eastman strings, a chinese co., but they are made in Boston still, at least the handmade models..

Jim,
http://www.amadeusflutes.com/

The Amadeus is made in China.

"Designed by Haynes, Amadeus is handcrafted of sterling silver in the Haynes Beijing workshop, and handadjusted by Haynes flutemakers in the United States. Each Amadeus flute is built to Haynes' exacting standards."

I believe that you'll find that the handcrafted ones are still made in Boston. although....
http://www.wmshaynes.com/catalog/catalog.html

"The William S. Haynes Co. is pleased to announce our collaboration with the renowned headjoint artisan Salvatore Faulisi. Each of the Faulisi headjoints are beautifully handmade in his Paris shop. We offer these headjoints as an option on our Haynes flutes. They are also available seperately."

Also see:
http://www.laflutetraversiere.com/

Bilbo is correct, the handmade haynes are still made in Boston, a student of mine just got one from the early 60's and it is amazing

Patrick, you had a student in the early 60s?

But the Chinese are newcomers in the Orient. No wonder Don Peck said (his opinion) that Haynes "has somewhat slipped" in the last few years. Wanted to know if anyone has any feed-back on this. Please correct me, if I'm wrong in what I "heard".

Well this info is old news. That purchase happened a couple years ago. Donald Peck's comment probably is referring to the time period just prior to that when John Fughetta suddenly died and the company was a little in disarray with his widow trying to keep the company going. With reorganization under the Eastman company, they are doing just fine. It's just that they have more offerings now, including something other than a solely professional handmade instrument.

It's healthy. don't worry.

Joe B

right you are Joe, and no Bilbo, my student is 12, the flute is from the early 60's , and quite a good one at that..really good vintage haynes...

It was a joke Patrick.

<Added>

although a 12 year old playing on a vintage Haynes. :-) It would have been neat to have a great flute at that age.

I knew you were kidding, you are a funny dude, actually, this student is quite gifted and sounds amazing on this flute...

Hi Patrick, I know of a doubler/ jazz professor who has an early Haynes from the 60s and I think that it was a fine instrument. I also think that they made a stab at student line instruments from time to time in the past. I think that when I bought my Haynes, all that they made wer professional level instruments but I may be wrong.

<Added>

I also think that we are probably going to be seeing a lot of products with "Made in China" on the wrapper in the comming years.

Hello,

I am wondering about the old scale found in flute from the 60's, included the Haynes ones. Patrick (and other) please may you comment on the scale of that particular flute belonging to your student and how good (or bad) it is comparing with modern scales like Cooper or Bennet scales?

I don't mind the old scale, but I prefer it on a cfoot, although my student has a b foot and the scale is fine, you have to get used to it

Patrick is exactly correct. (As always)
I have a 1980 Deveau and the scale isn't bad when I'm acclimated to it but lately, I find that switching from the Yamaha to the Haynes is not as simple as it used to be. I think that some tuner exercises and better listening have made my ears more discerning to the pitch.

I'd think that if a person were buying an older instrument, the deciding factor is the tone and the condition of the mechanism. You can't assume that the keywork isn't getting sloppy after 40 years of finger action.

I have a 1963 Haynes flute. It's a great flute. No issues whatsoever.

<Added>

The key factor in my deciding to buy this Haynes (used) was the headjoint, particulary how it played (embouchure) & sounded. I was told that the headjoint had been "tweaked" by Jack Moore. As others have stated, the headjoint is of paramount importance in choosing a flute.