Besides a bamboo flute, I’m looking at the Dixon Polymer flute, and a Casey Burns Folk Flute. Of the two, which would get higher marks for tone, (relative) ease of playing, ready-to-go out of the box, etc.? I’m still shopping as well as taking lessons, now. These two are within my price range at the moment.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
With best regards,
Steve Mack
I’ve owned both and would, if it were me,
buy the CB folk flute.
As David Levine recommended, I’ll preface this with my flute playing experience, so that there’ll be no confusion about how much I know about the little beasties 
I’ve been playing since September; so that puts me at RANK beginner status. However, I’ve just gotten a Casey Burns folk flute, and I’m more than happy. I believe it to be a fine instrument for the money, and even more so if you can find one used like I did. Keep an eye on the forum. They come up for sale periodically, and it seems like there have been maybe a half dozen change hands on the forum over the last 6-8 months.
I third the Folk Flute.
One thing that I found strange about the Dixon three piece flute is that it still had cork tennons unlike the M&E that seems to have plastic on plastic. Does this mean that you couldn’t leave the flute assembled (not that you should any way) without fear of cork compression? I only mention this as an aside because that is one of the benefits that I hear mentioned about plastic flutes is the low maintenance.
Looks like he is now making a vented foot version. The one on the left.
I have no opinion which is better.