Does your M&E flute have an M&E logo stamped on it?

[GinGin]

I am looking online for a flute to buy, and there’s a used one that looks like it might be good for me. The ad says it is an M&E, and the flute has an M&E logo stamped on it. When I compare it to the M&E flutes on the manufacturer’s website, though, they do not have this stamp. Has anyone heard of there being imposters around?

[ertwert]

My M&E flute (bought in 2012 directly from the maker) has no logo stamped on it. A friend of mine got one a couple of month ago and it has some logo stamped on it. So there seem to be some minor changes made over the years.

Beside this anecdote: I think it is extremely unlikely, someone would buy the same rings and keys, to make a fake M&E flute? It is a very cheap flute to begin with, therefore it sounds highly unlikely, someone would bother selling fake cheap instruments? Never heard such a thing.

[GinGin]

I did find a picture of one that has one.

Thanks.

[fatmac]

I bought my polymer 'F' flute from their website, & it came with the stamped name, the picture of the flute didn't have it, & I was a bit disappointed to have it at first, but it doesn't effect the tone, so I've got used to it being there.

(Maybe it is only on his polymer flutes.)

[PB+J]

I bought a Polymer M&E about a year ago. No stamped logo. The end cap says “M&E rudall & rose”

[Andro]

I have a Delrin McNeela 6 key flute. It's identical in every way to the M&E Delrin flute. It has McNeela laser engraved on it. The M&E ones seem to have M&E laser engraved.

With absolutely no disrespect to these suppliers/makers, I cant help wondering if the units are all from Pakistan, and badged for each vendor. The keys have a very Pakistan look and feel. Also mine from McNeela came with vastly oversize cork on the tenons and would not go together, proving it could not have been tweaked or adjusted in the McNeela workshop, of it it was, it was never blown.

Someone here on C&F suggested M&E makes them for McNeela. I just don't know.

I have seen instruments identical in appearance on Alibaba while searching deeply there. This is what makes me think that is where they come from.

Anyway, apart from the keys being too stiff for me and fairly crudely made, it has a great tone and you can get it to sound really good. I'm not trying to denigrate either of these chaps, just puzzled about the actual provenance. Certainly some of the other McNeela flutes are Pakistani sourced.

[flyingparchment]

With absolutely no disrespect to these suppliers/makers, I cant help wondering if the units are all from Pakistan, and badged for each vendor. The keys have a very Pakistan look and feel.

Michael has previously said that he gets the keys from a far eastern supplier rather than making them himself, so i don't think this is evidence one way or the other for where the flute itself is made.

my M&E 6-key flute i bought a few months ago has the "M&E R&R" label on the body and the "R&R" metal cap on the crown (which i removed from mine because it was too heavy and unbalanced the flute).

[busterbill]

With absolutely no disrespect to these suppliers/makers, I cant help wondering if the units are all from Pakistan, and badged for each vendor. The keys have a very Pakistan look and feel.

Michael has previously said that he gets the keys from a far eastern supplier rather than making them himself, so i don't think this is evidence one way or the other for where the flute itself is made.

my M&E 6-key flute i bought a few months ago has the "M&E R&R" label on the body and the "R&R" metal cap on the crown (which i removed from mine because it was too heavy and unbalanced the flute).

Yes, the keys on a keyed M&E are definitely manufactured and purchased by Michael, with that less than elegant feel you might associate with a lessor flute. But his keyed flutes are definitely far better than any Pakistani flutes out there. Those keys do the job and keep his flutes affordable. If you are concerned about this particular flute try emailing him directly with your questions. I have had questions over the years and find he responds quickly. I have his original keyless from way back when, the most simple of designs with no cork or rings. I have also had an ebonite 8 key. He makes a good flute.

[GinGin]

Thanks all. I did find a pic on another flute seller website that has the M&E logo in the picture.

It makes sense that the keys would be made elsewhere to continue offering the kind of price point the flutes are in.

I just purchased a used M&E keyed flute on EBay today...the overall feedback for M&E seems to be good, and the price matched the budget. Hopefully it will be a good decision/purchase.