Good flutes < $400

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:55 pm

Hello. I (and others) have asked this or similar questions before. I've even gone through this process once and purchased a flute. However, I now find myself fluteless again and have $400 to throw at the problem.

I've never tried a Hoza flute, but that's the direction I'm leaning in at the moment.

I have tried Casey Burns' flutes (folk and one in Blackwood). The folk flute was fine, the Blackwood was really nice (if a little heavy). I'm not sure I want to go back to a folk flute if there's something a little better for a bit more money. I don't have enough right now to get one of his standard flutes, even without slide/rings.

I _might_ be able to come up with enough for one of the all wood Copley flutes, but I can't decide if it's worth the trouble it would be to scrape together an additional $100 or so. If I thought it would be significantly better than one of the Hoza flutes, I'd probably do it (however that also get's close to the Doyle pricerange and they seem to get the best reviews in that price range).

I'm making an assumption that a Hoza flute is noticeably better than a Burns folk flute...not sure if that's a correct assumption.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

-Brett

BillG · Post by **BillG** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:06 pm

I have to say that I was dissappointed in my Hoza flute. It had to be sent out to make it work and be in tune. It was an older model if that makes and difference. Add the extra bucks and go for the Copley - you won't go wrong there. I first had his D keyless with slide then asked him to make me a slideless head - I love it!!!

Billg

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:00 pm

Your best bet will probably be a used item. I was lucky enough to find a Jon C Pratten-style in Delrin for under $400. And if the seller is a regular here, you're on pretty safe ground.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:19 pm

Might check with Doc Jones too.

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:10 pm

The usual candidates: Used M & E's come up pretty regularly, usually for around $300 or so. Seerys sometimes too.

Il Friscaletto · Post by **Il Friscaletto** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:47 pm

Check ebay, "irish flute" under musical instruments. There's an M&E poly up for auction there right now! (not mine, and can't vouch for the seller) :)

EDIT: There's a Seery delrin up there as well! The world is your oyster!

:)

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:08 pm

BillG wrote:I have to say that I was dissappointed in my Hoza flute. It had to be sent out to make it work and be in tune. It was an older model if that makes and difference. Add the extra bucks and go for the Copley - you won't go wrong there. I first had his D keyless with slide then asked him to make me a slideless head - I love it!!!

Billg

I had an opposite experience with a more recent Hoza F, it was very nice and I doubt you would be dissappointed. I sold the Flute as I wanted an Eb, I ended up going with a Copley and if you can; I would reccommend that over the Hoza.

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:03 pm

jim stone wrote:Might check with Doc Jones too.

Yep, I'm watching his stock of used flutes, and he mentioned he had another all wood Copley arriving soon.

I also went back and checked Casey Burns' prices again and his all wood flute is about the same as a Copley all wood, so I'm thinking about that too.

If I decide not to spend more than $400, then i'll probably go with the Hoza. I know the delrin flutes get good reviews but wood is more fun to hold.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

-Brett

Henke · Post by **Henke** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:38 am

It seems like the safest bets are in the $500-range. That would get you M&E wood, Copley all-wood, Burns all-wood, Doyle, etc.
Anyone know how much Jon C charges these days? He's a safe bet for a truly outstanding flute as well.
I would recomend you take the time to save up that extra $100. It's not that much more money, but you'll get lots more choices. Hoza seems to be getting mixed reviews obviously. Why not go for a safe bet? AT least as long as you can't try the flute before you buy it.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:05 am

There's a jon c rudall on irishflutestore for 525, I think,
blackwood. Doc does trades, ya know, if you got
something to trade.

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:35 am

I recently had a Hoza come through (my first) and was really impressed.

It had great tone and really good volume. Just a terrific flute and fantastic bang for the buck. It was a large hole flute and had ergonomic fingering which was very nice (I don't always like ergonomic fingering as I have longish fingers).

Anyway, don't think you could go wrong there, nor with the others so far mentioned for that matter.

Doc

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:28 am

The best flute under $400 is a grossly mispriced Cotter.

Dave

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:58 am

Dave Parkhurst wrote:The best flute under $400 is a grossly mispriced Cotter.

Dave

!!! Good one!

Juan Pablo Plata · Post by **Juan Pablo Plata** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:16 pm

You always seem to forget the really best of them (considering that price): Aulos baroque. And it´s chromatic.

Henke · Post by **Henke** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:11 am

Juan Pablo Plata wrote:You always seem to forget the really best of them (considering that price): Aulos baroque. And it´s chromatic.

I believe Bretton was looking for an Irish style wooden flute. The Aulos baroque traverso is neighter wooden nor Irish style.