I’ve been reading this forum for quite a while now, but never ever replied on any thread so far. As I’m quite new to flute playing I still haven’t found the model that suits my needs so I’m moving along and want to sell my newly obtained Sweetheart “Resonance” Model in Laminated Wood.
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It is an exceptionally well player. According to the Sweets the Low D honks - and I really can reassure this - though the E feels a bit weaker in comparison to the other notes. The best C-nat fingering is OXXXOO or OXXXXO depending on your embouchure.
There is only one catch. The Material “Laminated Wood” has a bit strong smell. Some people can’t stand the odor, others like it. I tried to drain the odor by putting some active carbone inside. It helped a lot, but now that most of it got washed out - the bore is a bit darker than usually with this model - some odor seams to have reappeared. Since the flute is quite new (ordered a few weeks ago) I guess it just takes some more time for the smell to disappear. I have a whistle made out of laminated wood and after 1+ year I don’t really smell anything anymore.
It is in perfect condition and located in Germany. I’m calling for 280 EUR which includes the Flute, a Soft Case and shipping to an EU country. Shipping within Germany is 10 EUR less.
The main reason for selling the flute is the odor. I really love the sound that flute, but the smell is a turn-off for me. I’ve met players that didn’t even notice it. Others couldn’t stand it. If you’re looking for an extremely affordable flute with great sound this one might be for you.
I’ve already talked to the makers and they were more than willing to exchange the flute against another model. I have not made the step, yet, as I’d need to get the VAT and import dutys back, which involves some terrible paperwork, that I hate to do. Besides, the shipping costs to US are quite high (about 50 EUR for a package with insurance!) and returning the flute would be a huge loss therefore. Shipping makes only sense to EU countries as it involves no hassle with the customs and the shipping costs are lower, too.
Hello empie, just so you know… I bought a Sweetheart laminated wood whistle (a Mello D model) a while back. I hated the smell also at first. Now after about 3 Months, the smell has finally faded to almost non-existant levels. There is still just a trace of it however. I just left it on top of the dresser exposed to the air.
I’m pretty sure that I saw this very flute just a few days ago. I personally didn’t find the smell that strong, so it’s really a personal thing. You’ll get a nice flute here!
I really want to exchange this flute against another model from the Sweets in a timely manner so I’m dropping the price a little.
For those who compared the original price of 325 USD to the EUR price, I’m asking for, and wondered why it was so high here comes a quick calculation: I originally bought the flute for 325 USD + 35 USD for the padded case + 18 USD for insured shipping. According to Yahoo, this is around 300 EUR depending on the exchange rate which is quite in flux these days. I already payed 19% VAT in Germany which makes the whole package worth 357 EUR gross.
Since I got the flute for a bit better exchange rate I’m willing to drop the price a little. Now I’m asking for 280 EUR which includes shipping to an EU country. Shipping to Germany is 10 EUR cheaper.
I could as well send the flute back to the makers in USA, but I don’t want yet again spend time with the customs to get my money back and pay the horrid shipping costs of roughly 50 EUR for insured shipping to the USA.
Dropping the price much lower wouldn’t make any sense for me as I could just as well send the flute back to the Sweets where I’ll get full refund. I’m setting the deadline to Wednesday. Either I have the flute sold until then or I’m going to send it back. In fact I’m already making a slight loss with this deal over sending it back. I just don’t want to burn that much money with shipping. I’d rather like to see someone happy with this flute. I’m not kidding.
You have a different deal in mind… maybe you want to pick up the flute in person… or you just don’t want that padded case… drop me a note. Don’t hesitate to ask.
