Hi all,
just taking a break from the whistle forum and needed some advice, I have been considering a flute for a while, but have not acted upon my urge, I have seen a flute on ebay link below, I e-mailed the seller regarding the flute, and just wanted your advice as when he replys he may not be a flute player and as the instrument in question was purchased 16 years ago and has’nt been played since, so basically if its been sitting in its box for 16 years without a drop of oil, would this be a bad thing, I am concerned that the introduction of an oil to very dry wood possible blackwood/rosewood could cause a problem.
any advice greatly appreciated, also could this be an early Pakistani
flute
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IRISH-WOODEN-FLUTE_W0QQitemZ290108846648QQihZ019QQcategoryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Yes, I’m pretty sure this flute is from Pakistan. It looks identical (box and all) to the Pakistani flute I bought for $100 back in the early 90’s from Mickey Zeakley, the former proprietor of Lark in the Morning in California. I moved up to a proper keyed flute (Dave Williams) and set the Pakistani flute aside for about as long as this one’s been laying around. I took the flute to a party about a year ago and discovered a large crack in the headjoint, which I’ve taped closed with electrical tape. I now use the flute as a beater, and it plays OK, as it always did. If this flute isn’t cracked and the price is right, 'twould be OK for a beginner. I think the Pakistani flutes made 15-20 years ago were better than the current lot.
Sponge, don’t do it–neither e bay flute. No telling
what these are, you’re a babe in the woods at this point.
The second flute looks much better, but a 107 year
old flute isn’t the place to begin. (Note the seller
says it’s tone is ‘wistful,’ means ‘quiet.’) Better to
get into old stuff in five years.
Suggest you buy a flute from a contemporary maker–
some very good ones out there that don’t cost
a lot of money. E.G Casey Burns, Sweetheart,
doug tipple, etc. You know what you’re getting
when you buy these,
(at least we do), it’ll have reasonable volume,
in tune, playable, without issues.
I second Jim Stone’s advice. The three modern makers he mentions all make decent flutes. Why take a chance and end up with an unplayable, frustrating piece of firewood?
Paul 
As usual well worth the time asking the question, thanks to all for the info,
I’m flying to Galway early july for a round trip of Co Mayo, Co Roscommon, Dublin etc on a fact finding mission on the possibility of a move for the family, we’ve visited 3 or 4 times know mainly down in cork,
I had seen various unbranded flutes in a couple of music shops in the more touristy areas, but flute was’nt my vice then so did’nt really take much interest, so this time I will track down some music shops in Dublin, we are not looking to move anywhere near Dublin as the prices are very high, but we will be checking out the music scene etc.
thanks again everyone
sponge 
Be sure and look for flutes that have someone’s name on them - still stay clear of the unbranded ones as they are usually made in the far east and of questionable/highly variable playability.
Lots of makers over there. Martin Doyle makes a good lower priced flute (especially if you skip the tuning slide), M&E (Michael Cronnolly) makes good polymer flutes, Desi Seery makes lower priced polymer and wooden flutes just to name a few.
Eric
http://www.whatswhat.ie/page/flutes.htm
Yes, Martin Doyle flutes are worth checking out, definitely.
Very well thought of. He’s in Clare, I think.