Hello!

I have two student flutes here, and I'd like some help dating and finding information about one of them.

Flute #1 is a 104 Armstrong, which we know is silver plated, Flute #2 is an Emerson student flute with a mystery model number. There isn't one engraved anywhere. The only markings are "Emerson" the logo, and an "S" on the headjoint, under the crown, and the serial number (I'm guessing?) which is F94287.

Going on the idea that silver plating is bright and nickel plating is dark, something is messed up. The Armstrong is dark and the Emerson is bright. Which leads me to think that the Emerson is solid silver, OR the Armstrong isn't silver plated like the Armstrong website says.

I did find a date for the Armstrong, it was made in the 70's. Comparing the conditions of the cases and flutes, I'm guessing the Emerson has to be around that time as well.

I have looked on the ribs and all over the flute, still no model number. If someone can point me in the right direction on the what and when's of this instrument, I would appreciate it!

Thanks

(P.S. The Emerson is offset, C footjoint, if that helps any)

I think my Armstrong 104 that I had from 5th grade on was actually a 104N, nickel plated. Great scale, almost indestructible, terribly un-responsive headjoint. I don't have it anymore, so I can't help further, and I don't know what model Emerson that is.

>Flute #1 is a 104 Armstrong, which we know is silver plated
Mine is nickel plated with a model of 104N engraved on the body just under where it says "Armstrong". If the model is just 104 then it should be silver plated unless somebody had it re-plated.

>Which leads me to think that the Emerson is solid silver,
>OR the Armstrong isn't silver plated like the Armstrong website says.
I'd say the Emerson is silver plated and the Armstrong is Nickel plated. From what I've seen, silver plating and solid silver look about the same, but nickel is definitely "darker".

Yeah, the Armstrong is sort of "slimy/slick" compared to a silver flute. So, the S on the headjoint? Any ideas? Just another indicator of silver plating... I'm really hoping the headjoint is sold silver I know the body is plated with something, it's "bubbling/peeling" in some spots. But not the headjoint.

Take the headjoint in one hand, and 'flick' it with your finger with the other.
As Micron once told us, a solid silver HJ will make a 'thunk' noise, while a plated one will 'ring'. I found that to be true with mine.

Whether or not it IS solid silver won't affect its worth very much, if it is not well made. There are lots of student flute HJs whose embouchure hole is made by machine, the same machine in fact that stamps the hole from plated HJs. You'll find that these 'sterling' student heads really don't sound much different than a plated one from the same company.

You might find someone for whom the Sterling Silver idea will make the HJ worth more, if you wanted to sell it. But it plays like it plays, either it's a nice one or it's not, and its worth will be according to that.

Wow! Thanks for sharing the "ring" tip... it actually works! My flute is solid and it "thunked" and the student flutes (both of 'em) "rang".

But as for the material, I'm just going to sell them for what I normally sell beginner flutes and it will be fine. Thank you!