First of all, start by studying this guide. You will feel more confident about your decision when you are better informed on your choices. Keep an open mind about flute models and approach your flute buying adventure without preconceived ideas of which model to buy. A flute you haven’t considered may pleasantly surprise you.
In general, the more you spend the better the instrument quality. However, the value of the flute does not always match the ability of the player. I have sold $3,000 flutes to professional players and $10,000 flutes to high school students. Most high school students play on Intermediate or above flutes (see page 20-21). The excelling high school or college student usually plays a Young-Professional level instrument or above. Most professional players select a Professional level instrument while amateur adult players tend to select an instrument that fits their budget. We have based the Flute Finder Chart (see page 20-21) on years of experience selling flutes and it can serve as a general guideline for you.
My personal experiences with rental flutes have been distressing at best. I have literally gone to battle for numerous young students who are forced by their rental contracts to play on flutes that simply do not work because they are not properly maintained by the music stores that rent them. A child can be so quickly discouraged because they cannot keep up with other beginning flutists, and it breaks my heart when it is caused by the instrument, not their effort or ability, holding them back. On top of the headache, renting is the most expensive choice. Over time, you will pay a lot more than a direct purchase. Even if you only play your flute for a few years, you can sell it and recoup a good portion of your investment.
Sometimes a used flute can be a great value if you know what to look for. In general, the quality of the flutes being produced gets better each year. An older flute might not have features found on modern flutes and may require expensive service work to put it in optimal playing condition. At Flute World we offer a selection of exceptional used flutes that have been thoroughly inspected, expertly serviced and qualified as Flute World Certified.
On both body and headjoint, solid silver is considered to make a deeper, richer sound while silver-plate is considered to have a lighter, brighter sound. As with many options on the flute, the choice is ultimately determined by player preference. The design and craftsmanship of the instrument takes precedence over the choice of solid silver or silver-plate. Make sure you are evaluating flutes of the same design and quality before deciding between solid silver and silver-plate. Very often a silver-plated professional flute will sound and play better than a solid silver intermediate level flute.
If you have a skin chemistry that is hard on silver, we suggest you play a solid silver flute since it will not wear through like silver-plating. Some players also find that there is less of a chemical reaction with gold lip plates.
A gold-plated lip plate won’t really change the sound, but a solid gold lip plate will. Many players tell us they experience more color variation in the sound with a solid gold lip plate.
This is a personal preference, however more flute players prefer offset for ergonomic reasons. Offset flutes also have a mechanical advantage. If you want a Split E mechanism you should consider an offset flute since the Split E is rare on inline flutes. There is no difference in sound or quality between inline and offset flutes.
Open-hole or “French” flutes are a legacy from the production of the first modern Boehm system flutes when the additional opening was considered to enhance the sound production. This idea has been dispelled but the practice persists, especially in the USA where professional level closed hole or “plateau” style flutes are only available by special order. There is wider acceptance of the closed-hole system by professional players outside of the USA.
There is very little music written that actually uses the low B note on the flute. But, if you play this music, you need the B foot. Some players think it changes the tone and response on certain notes. The B foot also makes the instrument heavier. B footjoints are standard on professional level flutes sold in the USA.
Decades of experience selling and servicing flutes have gone into our current offerings. We can speak positively and confidently about the models we choose to offer. If considering other models, consult a professional flute specialist about your choice.
In general, the more expensive flutes maintain their value. Flute prices have been rising consistently so it is possible your instrument will maintain a good resale value.
Yes. Every new instrument we sell is covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. The warranty only covers defects in production, which do not usually pass our inspection and set-up process. Therefore, it is extremely rare that our customers ever find their warranty to be of use. If something is wrong with your flute and the warranty must be called into action, contact us first and we will resolve the issue with the manufacturer for you.
Your instrument will continue to perform at optimal levels only if you keep it serviced in top condition. It is recommended that you have your flute serviced annually. This service is called a clean, oil, and adjust. It includes disassembling the instrument, cleaning and oiling all parts and polishing the body. Pads are checked for integrity and replaced or re-shimmed as need. Springs are adjusted, keys regulated and all mechanisms are aligned. Flute World offers JLS Flute Care™ that covers this necessary maintenance. Whether they are local or from another part of the country, almost everyone who buys a flute from us also purchases our JLS Flute Care™. It is a great value and it will keep you and your instrument performing at your best!
Yes, your old flute is a reliable backup when your new flute is being serviced. We also recommend using your old flute for marching band and adverse weather conditions.