I have played countless student model flutes (so many Gemeinhardts!!! )ever since 6th grade, and I feel like I am in desperate need of getting a new flute that will carry me into college next year, but on a really tight budget.
At the moment I play an old E.L. Deford Elkhart (I have NEVER heard of anything like it), and it plays pretty decently for an entry-level no-name flute. It feels strange to be 2nd chair in my high-school band amidst better quality instruments , but unfortunately the sophomore ahead of me outplays me on her nice Yamaha... .
My budget is very limited, so any suggestions on intermediate models under 2k (pushing it) would be greatly appreciated.
My band directors (yes, two) think that a Yamaha is the best choice, but I am open to any suggestions.
Also, if someone knows anything about Deford's Elkhart model besides the fact it was made in Indiana, may I hear it? It would be nice to know what I am playing and whether or not the instrument is usually any good .
Re: Played a student model too long... 23:23 on Friday, March 20, 2009
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Account Closed (3248 points)
In my opinion even with holes and more silver content, many of the common brands are still just student flutes. It is the flutist, NOT the flute. So if the first chair person is sitting there then it is him/her/ not the flute that made it there.
Deford is made by Emerson Deford. He has built flute under Emerson and Deford which don't differ much. So your flute is not a no name at all. It is a decent student line flute.
I tried a Burkart Resona (albeit briefly) at a flute fair and it seemed nice as well. I do not have any real experience with it, but my impression of it was very good.
Yamaha fits all your criteria.
For the sound a capable player can get from them, as you've noticed, they leave Gemeinhardt for dead. Your mistake was not getting Yamaha in the first place. :-)
Second hand ones with pads in good condition are no problem, as long as you get them properly adjusted. Model numbers with three digits, eg YFL-221, are newer than two-digit numbers (quite old now), and probably play better.
I understand what you feel. Though it is true that it is the player who has the major role, for student players that are still learning the technique, the upgrading to a better instrument often can be of great help. An intermediate flute would be a great change. But I suggest not to jump too high, however, even if you had the resources (which you don't).
That was my experience with my Gemeinhardt M3. I played on it for 4/5 years (I started with it from level zero-zero). When I upgraded to my Yamaha 674 it was a jump ahead and I have been able to make lots of progress in proportionally much shorter time.
You can expect, however, a period of adaptation to the new instrument, that could last days, weeks or even several months (as was my case). But the effort is quite worth doing.
I paid some 2,200 US$, brand new, at Flute World (though this was two years ago). So a similar instrument, in used but good condition should be well within your budget.
Later you can upgrade further by changing the only the headjoint, if you find one that you like and fits your instrument. For this reason, it is important to buy an instrument with solid, well proven and easily serviceable mechanics and I believe that Yamaha models do, though it is of the only brand suitable, of course.
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OOPS!
the only the = only the
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Sorry, bad day or bad eyes today:
though it is of the = though it is not the
This may sound a little strange, but my local music store had one used Gemeinhardt model 3SHBGLP that was AS NEW, and they were selling it for about $900. The store had another one of the same model new for about $1500. I literally could not tell the two apart besides the missing plugs for the open-hole keys. I have tried the instrument out, and even though I was not even remotely warmed up, it responded magnificently.
Is it strange that the brand of instrument I have lived on since middle school has come back and hit me in the face with such a nice sounding instrument at a reasonable price ?
I may have flute fever, but I cannot wait to play it! Please tell me my choice was a good one, because I feel like I have found a bargain...
I used to play on a 3sb... the silver model. It sounded ok for a while, but it wasn't built for a high school student, let alone a college student. And $900 for the plated model.... eh. you can find for cheaper.
Many times you can find a used Muramatsu EX for just under $2000, same thing with a Miyazawa. Both are known and respected professional models, regardless of silver content.
I would suggest the emerson model Ef6. It's got a nice solid silver head, and open holes. I got mine for $800 dollars. However, emerson also has another model with a low B-foot for a couple hundred dollars more. I didn't invest in it considering even orchestreal flautists rarely use it, but it is a nice feature to have.
The cut of the emerson flutes is perfect for me, I love it! Plus, the emerson flutes are highly affordable and well under your budget.
by the way, the emerson model with the low B-foot also has a solid silver body, although there is a very minor difference in sound between a flute made of all silver and a flute with only a silver headjoint.
I find I like intermediate flutes better mostly because of the embrochure hole cut, the smaller sound hole makes my sound much more focused, and I use less air. So, theoretically, you could just purchase a better headjoint for your existing flute.
a sedona flute is a really goood model. i play on one and it is really enjoyable. jb weissman is flute dealer near where i live has really good student and professional flutes. i suguesst him. make sure you ask that you want a student model and he will arrange a appointment. check ouy his wedsite jbwflutes.com
i would try and get a yamaha or a muramatsu Ex as stated above...gemeinhardt's more than likely wont suit you well for college esp. if music is what you are taking up which i assume it is.
Re: Played a student model too long... 17:10 on Saturday, March 21, 2009
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Account Closed (3248 points)
$900 is way too steep for a 3shb! Don't do it. You are better off with a Yamaha 221 then that model. Forget about the holes and the B foot. When are you going to use them anyway? I agree also about the Muramatsu EX. You may be able to find a nice used one for under $2000.
Also, forget about sales rants about the body (and even head) metal. For a great flute, it is overall design, and particularly the design of the head that matters, rather than the material.
What model is the great Yamaha that you have listened to? IT could well be a student model, in which case you can save many $.
Firstly, () the instrument was the only intermediate model my little music store was selling, and that is was in good service for someone who went to college with it.
Secondly (), I am not going to be the one to pay for it, thanks to a church friend who is willing to help me out . He does not know anything about flutes, but I'd feel rather bad in dragging him to flute world's assortment of instruments, and trying out many brands to see what was right for me, because it is such a long gruesome process (or so I've heard)...
Thirdly, I did not really dislike Gemeinhardt student models, because they were pretty reliable. I just played many of them, some in worse conditions than others. I have heard that Gemeinhardt intermediates are basically the same as their beginner models, but I have heard such a large difference when I played it that I was startled. Maybe my Deford made me forget how easy it is to play a crisp tone on a decent flute(barring the couple of seconds or so I needed to get accustomed to playing the note on an open-holed instrument w/inline G.
Maybe I am completely wrong in my reasoning, and have lived under a box as far as flute playing is concerned, but I am feeling quite disheartened, because we have already passed the point of no return, and put the thing on layaway.
Do I need to feel bad about my decision? I do not want to feel regret when I enter college... is Gemeinhardt REALLY that bad ?
Oh, and a side note: unless that Yamaha is a gold plated, open hole, B-foot student model, then it is an intermediate. (She has had lessons, and I can probably assume that it is not a student Yamaha.
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Oh, and the flute does have a sterling silver hj, if I have not already mentioned it.
searching...
)ever since 6th grade, and I feel like I am in desperate need of getting a new flute that will carry me into college next year, but on a really tight budget.
, but unfortunately the sophomore ahead of me outplays me on her nice Yamaha... 
.
