How can I tell if a flute is in need of repair?

Question

ok, so i was looking at some used flutes at Lane Music, and the sign said that they are sold AS IS, meaning that some of them might need repair. so how do I tell if it is messed up or not.......like.....I want to play them and test them out, but ...do I just try some scales on them?

Answer 1

Generally the body of the fulte is fine, it's probably the seller doesn't want to include the price of the mouth piece which you should replace and is reletively quite costly.

Answer 2

I would recommend to skip the as-is flutes if you don't have experience testing them.  There are a LOT of things that can be wrong with a flute including the position of the crown, pads, keys, or simple tuning issues.  A new gemeinhardt would run you about $350 and it's COMPLETELY worth it.

Answer 3

Just do the basics. Try to play the instrument and if your not getting the right sound (and you'll know it) then don't buy. Most "as is" means you need to get the instrument oiled and perhaps have some pads put in the various areas of the flute. It doesn't necessarily mean the flute stinks.

Answer 4

Unless you are an EXPERT - leave those as-is flutes ALONE.  Do not buy things of eBay, either!  I AM an expert - and I buy many flutes off ebay, but go thru the auctions with a fine comb.  On a given day, there might be 3,000 flutes for sale on ebay. 2,900 of them are garbage.  Of the 100 left, about 80 are overpriced - Daddy bought it for me and paid top dollar, boo-hoo.  The last 20 - a store will be looking to make a profit - can't blame them!  I often buy from pawn shops and families - they want to close the sale and get *something*.  Even among THE, I am wary.   So I look for ONLY a very few brands and models (and no, with VERY VERY few exceptions - and I know my serial numbers! - Gemeinhardt is NOT among them).  I get them fixed, and resell them at a low price to local students. Every is happy.  I have NEVER lost money or gotten beat on a deal - sometimes, I have made less than I wanted to.  But did I say - I am an expert.  

Put me in another situation - buying a used car.  I would be a lamb to the slaughter.  There is probably something YOU know well, and I do not.  If you cannot get a qualified person to look these flutes over, then pass them by. There are THOUSANDS of flutes for sale every day that are good.  Google for Jen Cluff (not me!) and read her articles.  

If you STILL want to do this - she will give advice on how to run a test.  Some things are visual, look awful, and are an easy fix (dents.)  Some things are a nightmare - rusted inner steels, bottomed-out screws, missing keywork from long-discontinued models, etc.  Unless you know what to look for - walk away.

Answer 5

if the buttons stick, or if it is dented, or if it doesnt sound right or wont play.

Answer 6

Leaky keys, sticky pads, major dents, try playing your full range chromatic scale starting on the lowest note you can play, to the highest note you can play. If any note doesn't come out, then it might have a leaky key.

Answer 7

I suppose you have been into the store and seen all of the used flutes they have for sale... right?   The first thing you are going to want to do is check out the name brands.  You should be looking for a Gemeinhardt,  a Yamaha,  Armstrong,  Emerson, Pearl.  If they don't have those name brands... it does not matter what condition the flutes are in... they are most likely junk.. so forget it.

But if any of the flutes is one of those name brands... the first thing you are going to want to look at are the pads.  What color are they?  (should be clean and either yellow or white).  Are any of them freyed, ripped or torn (ANY OF THEM?)... not good, as they will need to be replaced maybe now.  

If you do play the flute...  Yes,  try the scales.. and preferably the chromatic scale from the lowest C to the highest, which will tell you if any of the notes are not playing - notes that are not coming out indicate a leak or leaks.   Next, check the crown on top of the headjoint....  it is tight, or does it wind around and around - suppose to be tight.

Finally....  what physical condition is the flute in?   Does it look like it was well taken care of or just thrown around and abused?   Do you like the looks of it and are you going to be proud of calling this your flute?

If you really don't think any of them looks really nice... then you don't want them in the first place.   If I might suggest... this is a music store.  Ask if someone there can play test the flute for you to let you see that everything is working.  If they cannot provide that for you...  then just walk away.  They did not want your business very much anyway.

Hope that helps.

Flute Teacher - 20 years experience.

Answer 8

if the button is stuck or the flute is dented

Answer 9

ask to try them out and play through some scales and ask ur private lesson instructor (if u have one to come and listen). or u could play excerpts from a solo or something... if u think it mite need repair take it to a music repair store or somethingg and they can always evaluate it..

=]

Answer 10

well when in school i played the flute and i could always tell when it wasnt working properly

the buttons could be sticky, not open and close, ect..

the flute might have a dent in it somewhere

(im trying to remember why we might have had them repaired:Plol)

thats all i can remember sorry..

but its stuff like that,that make them have to go in for a repair

:]

Answer 11

Bring a tuner. Tune one note, and then go to others to see if they're drastically out of tune.  That would indicate bent holes, or leaking keys.  Make sure the key movements are fluid.

Answer 12

Great question.  Well luckily, unlike an electronic instrument or something more mechanical or complex... a flute is pretty straightforward.  Try blowing through it.  Do you play?  Go for it!  Try them, and anything that seems funny that can't be resolved with a little compressed air or a rag don't buy... .  Try each key and try to determine that it plays in a balanced way across the instrument.  If you feel you don't like something, leave it.  But if you really like one of them and the price seems right, I would consider buying it.  I'm sorry i can't give more specific info; i'm a keyboard player and drummer and guitarist.  One thing I can say, if you have a former teacher or a teacher or expert of some kind, ask him or her to come visit Lane Music with you and check out the one you've decided you like.  

Or if it's like twenty dollars and it feels right just buy it.  Either way, enjoy.  Good luck.