You're probably all a bit fed up about this kind of thread but any advice would be welcome!

When younger I reached a very high standard of flute playing, and my parents invested what was then a lot of money in a Buffet flute with a silver head some 15 years ago to enable me to progress. I got on very well with this flute. A few years later, when at university I had a confidence crisis and effectively stopped playing for a few years. More recently I have dusted off the old flute and played in friends and family weddings, and recently joined a local flute choir - I am very much enjoying playing again.

I decided the time had come to get my flute overhauled but to my dismay the flute repair guy today told me basically that it wouldn't be worth it, and it would probably be best to get a new flute. I got the feeling he wasn't a Buffet fan! It needs a complete set of pads and where the pads have worn I've adapted to playing so that I press hard on some of the keys, which has caused some problems with some of the mechanisms. This was a big shock as I've been playing it up until now and didn't realise there was a big problem, but I have been struggling with the higher register and did think perhaps it was my technique. All my fault though I suppose, as when I wasn't playing often I never got it serviced.

Now comes the problem. I can't really afford one, but I think I'm going to have to save up for a new one. But I don't have a clue about flute makes and models. I know the best practice is to go to a shop and try lots of flutes to see which one suits my playing, but just thought I'd ask which are "good" and "bad" makes. I am around a grade 8 standard (although a little rusty!) so would like something to compliment this but that is also good value for money...

Bit sad about it all really, my flute has great sentimental value and a lovely tone in the lower register.

Thanks!

Is it worth getting a second opinion on the state of your old flute? Just a thought..

Well, it's difficult to advise fully without knowing your budget, but here goes...

I'd check out three ranges in particular: the Pearl, the Yamaha and the Azumi. All have plated models for between £350 and £500, and silver headed models at around £600+. All are good models, it just depends which suits you best.

If you can afford the next price bracket you would be looking to pay around £1200 or so for a Miyazawa 102 or an Altus 807. These are plated models from professional manufacturers and are both excellent instruments.

Remember to check out the secondhand lists of the main flute shops too. They often have very good models at much-reduced prices.

Happy hunting!

Good advice, thanks. I will look into getting a second opinion, although I suspect it would come to the same conclusion. As for buying new flutes, a couple of other questions:
As I now play for fun the very good condition second hand flutes may be a good idea.. That way I'd be able to afford a good flute. Has anyone else ever done this and come up against any problems?
Are there any makes I should avoid?

The repair guy said he no longer sold "mixed metal" flutes (so no silver heads and plated bodies) due to problems at the joints when warming up when played. Does anyone have any opinions on this? I see other shops still sell them. My flute is silver headed with a plated body and I've never had any joint problems.

Absolute tosh as far as I'm concerned. It might be an issue with cheap plated bodies, and it certainly isn't worth upgrading a headjoint if the body is a soft Chinese import, but any of the Japanese-made flutes are absolutely fine.

For what it's worth I now play a hybrid: a Murumatsu EX body with a Nagahara head. No problems whatsoever. Many of my pupils play Yamaha 311s, again with no problems.

As to whether there are any makes to avoid: well, it does depend on which price range you are looking at. In general it is better to go with a flute that's at the bottom end of the range of a good manufacturer rather than the top end of the range of a lesser manufacturer if the flutes you are comparing retail at the same price.

Well as it happens we are going to Japan next spring...do you think I'd be able to pick up a good flute cheaper over there or should I stick to buying it from a UK shop?

Budget wise, I suppose I could go up to around £600-700 at a push but would prefer spending less. Will start scouring the second hand lists!

The way exchange rates are going at the moment, I'm not sure you can guarentee being able to buy your flute cheaper in Japan, maybe pm allears, as she plays the flute and lives in Japan. Alternatively, I could ask a few contacts out there of my own.

One thought that came across from your post: Your current Buffet has a solid head. Perhaps you could try finding a new plated body, to fit it. That should reduce your replacement costs significantly. You'd probably still want to try around a few different makes, but when you do, take your current head with you and experiment with that too. Its possible you could get away with spending £300 on a relatively basic flute, and upgrade it with your current head piece.

If you're anything like me though, you might well want a completely new flute, thats a bit of a step up from your current one, in which case its time to get saving!

Have you though about hire purchase if your budget is small? My local shop (which also has a website at http://www.ackermanmusic.co.uk/) do rentals whereby after renting for two years the instrument becomes yours. It costs a little more but the upside is you get free maintenance for the two years. I can vouch for the shop, they are lovely and very knowledgable.

Hmmm. I don't know your repair guy but the way you describe what he is saying (can't or won't repair your flute but encourages you to buy a new one, then can't or won't sell a type of flute that is widely sold and played without problems but will only sell a more expensive one) he is beginning to sound a bit dodgy. Don't be conned into spending a lot of money without being certain that you need to: Before you go any further at all get a second opinion from a different repairer and/or shop.

I wonder if your old silver headjoint would fit a new plated body?