I've just done my grade 8 violin and, as a new challenge, have decided to learn flute. I want a flute to practice on, and hopefully do grade 1, but have a low budget. I thought about getting one from ebay but my friend (who is teaching me) pointed out that it's likely to be faulty, and I'd be better off ordering a new but cheap one. I've found one, a Thomann Startone (is this a pun on 'start-one' I'm wondering...?) . I know all flautists will probably want to run away screaming like I do when I see a blue violin, but this flute is only ?69 and I really want something to use as a starter. How far do you think it will take me and do you think it's a good way to go?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/startone_sfl55_querfloete.htm

Thank you !

I would personally steer clear of any new instruments that cheap, as generally the materials are poor and you end up paying out on numerous repairs - keys bending etc. Why not look for a second hand instrument e.g. a Yamaha. You may have to pay a little more, but at least you know you'll have a quality instrument that will hold it's price if you want to ever sell it on.

I'm going one step further than Appassionata (and, by the way, her advice here is excellent : heed it all) - because I've come across this flute before. I have on my desk a small ball of blu-tack. It has more rigidity than that flute's keywork

I'd buy a 2nd hand yamaha 211 on eBay. The 211 is the dollar of the flute world and you'll easily be able to get your money back (and maybe more) when you come to upgrade.

Where abouts do you live Violin123? I have my old boosey & hawkes flute that I am wishing to sell. I achieved my grade 4 on it and in my opinion it has a lovely tone and I've honestly never had any problems despite buying it 9 years ago second hand.

PM me if you're interested

I'd go along with the others who have suggested secondhand rather than new-but-cheap. yes, it can be a problem buying on ebay, but usually OK if you take the usual precautions (look at seller feedback etc.). Beware of anything that looks too shiny - I heard a story in one of the London flute shops of someone who had bought a Yamaha 211 for around ?200 and it was so clogged with silver polish it needed a complete re-pad to make it playable.

If your budget is really tight go for a Jupiter 511 - I bought a really nice one from ebay for around ?80 a couple of months ago, and they don't attract such a high level of bidding as the Yamahas do.