kourtjestr wrote:
Only two notes to add to the sticky:
1.) How can you tell something is a Pakistani flute?
2.) List characteristics for determining same so this doesn't become a "Is this a Pakistani Firewood in the Key of D" post.
I think we're using the term "Pakistani flute" to mean Pakistani flutes, but also any cheap flute of vaguely unidentifiable origins. Some seem to be Pakistani flutes which were gone over by somebody else before being resold.
One problem with buying a flute is that a beginner may think that if it looks like a flute and it's called a flute, and it's sold by a "music shop," then it's really a flute. But, a flute isn't just a piece of wood with a bored-out middle and some holes, and there are lots of "music shops" that just sell stuff which is really intended for the "movie props" department. There's a lot more to it than that.
The temptation to these things lies in their price. You think you can start off without having to blow big bucks. It's false economy, though, because you won't be able to play the thing, you'll become discouraged, and then you can't even sell it. You really will have wasted the money.
There are good . . . really GOOD . . . flutes out there for not all that much. You CAN play them, you'll be less likely to become discouraged, they'll keep you fluting for years, and then . . . ta daaaa! . . . you can sell them.
So, how do you know it's a good flute?
It will be made by a reputable flute maker--a person with a name, not a tribe. How much will you end up paying? Less than $100 to $300-400 USD.
Doug Tipple, whom I believe still sells on EBay, makes fine PVC flutes in the less-than $100 range.
Steve Cox of Tallgrass Winds (just search for his website) makes fine bamboo flutes in that range, as well. Bamboo flutes are real flutes--these aren't the snake-charmer kind. You'll hear them on ITM CDs all the time.
Moving up slightly in price, Casey Burns has a "folk flute" which is highly regarded. These have the advantage of being available in ergonomic and small-handed versions. (You'll notice that other flutes can be a handful.)
Tony Dixon has a 3-piece polymer that many like, as does Michael Cronnolly (M&E Flutes).
There are more reputable makers. If you do an archive search here, you'll find tons of information. This will get you started, though.
And, remember, if you see something and wonder if it's any good, just ask here. Just don't buy the thing first.
alibaba .com . they make 500 irish D flute a month, those flutes find there way to music shops around the world and are sold for 5 to 10 times the original cost, no mention of Pakistan check out the site for more info,,,,,,
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The purchase of the Eb flute was a rather impulsive act (after seeing some YouTube clips of Hatao and Aanvil). At this moment I'm neither disappointed nor satisfied with the flute. Imo it's a very nice black flute (from India) and regarding to the finish, of decent quality. I fully agree with your description of it. My concern is that I can't get a good tone out of it when all the holes are covered (and the 2 boehm foot keys opend). So I can't get a proper Eb tone 
. This could be because I've still to master the embouchure, but this could also be caused by inconsistent production quality of the flute. Maybe some kind of tuning is nessasary (head join cork?).
