New Member Seeks Advice (flute), "bit" sticking out of new flute.... Options

[hazel]

Hi everyone

I played a Yamaha 211SE for 22 years (did quite well at grades 5 and 6 on it in 1986, so it must have been in good working order then), then lost interest at Uni, mainly due to the paper-thin walls of the Halls of Residences which meant that every time I even tried to warm up, someone banged on the wall. Joined a brilliant "Big Band"-style wind band through friends about 8 years ago, and really enjoy playing the variety of music but last year got back into playing the classical repertoire and wondered where my technique had gone to...

I got a quote for a service on my 211 after really struggling to blow through our Xmas concerts, and well, to cut a long story short, came out of another music shop a few days later with a 371 - which is just gorgeous - my general playing has improved no end (get a compliment every week from the band leader, which is unheard-of!), I love the open holes, and I've had a couple of lessons with a superb teacher which has re-introduced me to the grades 7 and 8 stuff.

A couple of weeks ago, a funny thing happened to my new flute though - on the long rod which connects the two tiny trill keys to the little holes nearest the head joint, about half way along there is a Y shaped support for the rod. Sticking out from this is a tiny scrap of clear plastic, which has such sharp edges that I have now cut my hand on it several times at rehearsals. It seems quite firmly wedged in, and I don't want to pull it out in case it is vitally important to the function of the trill keys. At first I thought the trill keys weren't working properly, but then I realised that they just respond completely differently to those on my old 211. I've rung the shop I got it from (not local), but they want to send it away to be looked at and I will be without it for at least three weeks and we've got lots of gigs coming up - wish I'd got the 211 serviced now, to use as a back-up, but couldn't afford it as well as the new one.

So my question is (finally, you say...) anyone know how important this bit of plastic is? Can I trim it / round off the corners to prevent further blood loss! And since I have only had the flute for 3 months, would I be justified in asking the shop for a decent replacement whilst they have mine in (even one of their rental 211s would be better than my old 211, which is leaking air all over the place) or is that really cheeky????

Thanks

Hazel

[snuglivixen]

I would be scared of damaging it. Could you not wrap a small piece of sticky tape around it so at least it won't cut? Then as soon as you have a gap in bookings, get it looked at.

If you're still unsure... try asking advice from a local repairer or from your teacher.

[hazel]

Thanks for replying. I don't think I can tape it because the rod needs to rotate freely in the Y shaped support in order to open the trill holes (and whilst I rarely need it for a trill at band, I play a lot of top B flats), but I'll have a go.

I think I might try to find out where the music shop would send it to, to be "looked at" and talk to them directly - might even be quicker / nearer to take it to them myself. I don't like to hassle my teacher 'cos I know she's really busy and I've only had two lessons with her....

Hazel

[all ears]

Could you or somebody else take a digital photo of the problem area and post it to this thread??? There's a little tree image in the toolbar that allows you to insert an image...

[elidatrading]

So my question is (finally, you say...) anyone know how important this bit of plastic is? Can I trim it / round off the corners to prevent further blood loss! And since I have only had the flute for 3 months, would I be justified in asking the shop for a decent replacement whilst they have mine in (even one of their rental 211s would be better than my old 211, which is leaking air all over the place) or is that really cheeky????

Thanks

Hazel

I've no idea what it is - I'm half wondering if it is some weird type of immobliser for shipping purposes but that is probably a wild flight of fancy since all the ones I've ever seen are cork. Anyway, speaking from a retailer point of view for a moment, if it were us we would certainly offer a replacement if we knew you were stuck so it's worth asking nicely. But there is no legal requirement to offer a replacement.

Liz

[hazel]

Good idea All Ears - here are some pictures - luckily my hubby's hobby is digital photography - don't think I'd've managed that bit of techno stuff on my own:

My Webpage

Ignore the kids and click the link that says "Flute"

Liz - The bit of plastic is quite stiff, and I suspect it may have been sticky on one side to anchor it into the support - from looking on a couple of other web sites I wonder if it might be a bit of teflon which is supposed to help the trill rod rotate freely. It definitely wasn't apparent when I first got the flute ('cos I spent many hours lovingly polishing it and cooing over it and I'm positive I would have noticed!)

Anyway, will get this weekend's gigs out of the way and then try and DO something about it!

Hazel

[hazel]

on the long rod which connects the two tiny trill keys to the little holes nearest the head joint, about half way along there is a Y shaped support for the rod. Sticking out from this is a tiny scrap of clear plastic, which has such sharp edges that I have now cut my hand on it several times at rehearsals. It seems quite firmly wedged in, and I don't want to pull it out in case it is vitally important to the function of the trill keys.

So my question is (finally, you say...) anyone know how important this bit of plastic is?

Thought I'd let you know the outcome so far on this in case it happens to anyone else - I took it back to the shop, the shop owner (who assured me that he knew what he was doing!!) undid the rod and slid the bit of plastic back into place. Apparently it is there to prevent metal grating against metal every time the first trill key is used.

Still not sure why it came out in the first place though, and I am now waiting to see if it happens again...

Hazel

[sarah-flute]

Hope it stays where it should be, hazel (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[elidatrading]

Well well, you learn something every day!

[all ears]

Gosh, only noticed that this thread was still active today - but after looking at the photos, I'm sure that all I could have said would have been "Ooh, that doesn't look right, better take it to a shop!".

Glad that it's fixed now, hope it stays that way!