is that flute for professional needs, or it is just for high school?
i would like to buy it but i dont know in which category it is..
thank you

anyone?

The Yamaha 681 was made from 1981-2000, so you must be looking at a used flute. (The Yamaha web site indicates that it is comparable to their current 784 model.) It has a sterling silver body, headjoint, and keys. So, it is a quality flute. The 684 is an older design, though. The newer Yamaha flutes are built with an improved scale for better intonation and are usually tuned to A442 vs. A440 for the older design.

The term professional gets overused and nowadays is mostly marketing hype. James Galway playing a student level instrument still sounds like James Galway. A student playing a gold flute still sounds like a student. It really has more to do with the player than the flute. BUT - a good flute will let you grow more as a player.

My suggestion would be to play it. If you like the feel, the sound, and the intonation AND it's in good shape (doesn't need new pads, no big dents or dings, no wobbly keys), get it. If not, keep looking.

I use a Yamaha 684 (wow, i didn't know it was that old!). I've had it since my sophomore year & I'm a senior now. I love the flute, no question, but I will have to upgrade when I'm studying music next year. For me, I would probably say it is more of my transition flute from gradeschool into college. It was more advanced than my student flute from fifth grade until end of freshman year. My flute teacher from eighth to end of tenth grade said it would carry me over to college, but it won't, because according to my will-be flute professor in college, I "have outgrown it".

oh - another addition. Your flute teacher may make you upgrade in college, if you want to pursue it...but it depends on the teacher.

The 681 would be fine all through college. Heck, there are people that have gotten through college on a 221. You could still play professionally on a 221 if you wanted, so don't get caught up in what category it falls under. It is how it plays for you and how well you perform on it that matters. The only thing that I would suggest is that you change the headjoint on it if you really want to get the most out of it. You could pair it with a nice handmade headjoint and it would do wonders. The stock Yamaha head is fine for it but just lacking a bit in my opinion.

That was my story as well. Yamaha 600 series(681HHV to be exact) because the body and tuning was decent enough to get the job done without forking out tons of cash at the time.

Later I changed to a wood headjoint.

All it did was change my sound, not the quality of my playing. And to be honest, a professional flute player form the 50s or 60s would play almost anything made today and marvel at how good even the cheaper "intermediate" stuff is compared to what they had to work with.

Yes, it's plenty good enough provided that it's been overhauled/adjusted properly and is in good shape.

that really sounds like good idea...
everyone, thanks for information!