Hello people. I bought my 6th grade daughter a used flute from a girl who graduated. It says 281 on it. No YFL or anything like that but I dont know if any of them say YFL or not. Anyway, it is an open hole with plugs and played perfectly. Band instructor and local music store checked it out. I got it for $100 in pretty good shape. However, she dropped it and now it doesnt play right. Music shop says 100-200 bucks to fix it. Should I shell it out or just buy a new 225 SII? I can get one for about 200.

Gee, don't everybody reply at once.........

Pay to get it repiared.

I would think if it were a Yamaha as implied by the number and your question, that it would actually say Yamaha on the flute body. That means it comes under the heading of "anonymous", possibly Chinese-made, and there could possibly be issues with repairing it. The music shop should be able to shed some light on it. If they think it's fixable, that would probably be the thing to do with it. If they have doubts, it might be time to cut your losses. SOME flutes in this category have issues like brittle or soft keywork, and are either impossible to repair or won't stay in adjustment. Of course, some in this category might be ok.

Jim

Yes, my Yamaha says "YAMAHA" on a first line, then the number without YFL below and "Established in 18.." on a third line. This is marked on the tenon socket of the body section. The HJ has a logo on the rear side. I also have an EC HJ from a YFL674 which is marked "EC silver headjoint" and "925", but is not the case of the YFL200s.
Now if you paid just 100 $ for it and it is a true Yamaha and not a chinese fake, you made a very good deal. Those flutes sell used for 200-300$ or more. So you could invest on its repair as it played fine before the accident. But check other shops because 200$ sounds a little too much, though it depends on the damage caused by the fall.

True Yamahas are rather sturdy and should no be so much damaged on a normal fall, unless crashed by something while on the floor

But if it is a fake, I would doubt to spend more money on it. A Yamaha dealer should be able to tell you quickly.

Firstly, if you can get a new 225sII Yamaha then it will not be for $200. Yamaha doesn't make the 225 anymore. What you have is a fake.

Yup, you definitely have a fake. My old Jupiter 511rso was a very reliable beginning flute.

What everyone is saying is true. If it doesn't blatantly say "Yamaha" on it, then it may not really be one. It doesn't necessarily have to say "YFL" though!

If it is in fact a Yamaha, then I think it would be worth repairing. $100 is an incredible deal. A nice condition used Yamaha 281 usually goes for $400-$500. The 225s sell used for maybe $300-$350. Of course, these prices are for excellent condition used flutes that have just been serviced. Yamaha doesn't make 225s anymore. They now call the comparable model "221".

If you don't have a real Yamaha, see if you can find a nice used Yamaha flute from a reliable vendor. I myself sell used refurbished flutes, but don't have any beginner flutes at the moment to offer you. That said, feel free to shoot me a message if you see an ad and want a second opinion!