I have been playing a pvc flute for about a year now, and am hoping to move on to a more “real” Irish flute. The pvc flute I have is homemade, by me (been making them for about 1 1/2 years now). I tried against a Tipple, and was surprised at how well it compared! About a year ago as well, I got a cheap ebay flute ($30) from some company named TunesOfWood. It was great for a while, then my flutes surpassed its quality, and now it’s my tweaking and experimentation flute. Anyway, I would like to actually get a good flute for relatively cheap. As in, no higher than $400 (I might be able to stretch another $50ish if I have to, and I know my subject is sinful, using beginner and flute in the same phrase, but oh well). I have a list of makers that I’m trying to narrow down to just 1 or 2, so I know who I want my flute to come from. So, we have M&E, Somers, Copley, Forbes, Sweet, Millyard-molem (I saw a good review for them recently, so I put them in the mix), Burns folk flute, and maybe Seery, I haven’t found a website or anything for them, so I don’t know. Anyway, what is your opinion on the quality of each flute? (not to be confused with which is better for me)
Before I start I have to say that really it comes down to what feels best for you, obviously it is hard to know which one that is if you can’t try them out, but do try out what you can. Also has to be said: they are all well made flutes and each one should do you fine. Now having said that if it were me trying to make this decision I would probably go for the Copley and the Forbes would be my second choice unless I was after wood in which case i’d go down the folk flute road. I have played all of them except for the Somers, I’ve heard good things about them though, and owned at least one by each maker apart from the aforementioned Somers and Forbes (almost got a Forbes recently but went for the Copley delrin instead as a spare flute.)
I have my reasons for saying the Copley one being that it will last you and improve with you. I had a Copley blackwood Eb from 06 until earlier this year and never felt that I had outgrown, only sold it because I had another Eb and I didn’t need two. Dave’s flutes are also very well made and rival more expensive instruments in some cases. They aren’t the same level of quality that one might see on an Olwell or a Wilkes etc etc but very good. Also, one of the biggest factors here is that Dave is just great to work with and usually has a relatively short wait. Even the most basic of Dave’s flutes, such as a ringless, keyless delrin model, will still be a great player and, even though you may want something fancier when you can afford it, the sound and playability will always make you forget that it is just a black piece of polymer.
I say Forbes as a second choice because the ones I have tried were great players. Very easy to fill with a huge sound, IMO one of the best delrin flutes on the market.
If you have your heart set on wood though, the folk flute is a good place to go. I had one of Casey’s flutes for a couple of years and it was a decent instrument. Personally I just prefer Copley flutes to Burns flutes but that is my own preference and it really doesn’t have to do with quality, as they are both of good quality, but simply how they play for me.
Of course, this is all my opinion and your results may not be the same as I am sure other members will come along and tell you their own preference. I just have to stress again that it comes down to what suits YOU the best not what suits each of us.
Among the Poly-Flutes my preference is Copley (though Somers is a lot of bang for the buck if you want a slide). I’ve not tried W.D. Sweet’s Shannon nor a Forbes.
My favorite simple inexpensive wooden flute is a Fred Rose (about $300 U.S.): http://www.fredrose.co.uk/
I’m a flute philanderer and have owned well over 100 different flutes. 
I would recommend the Copley. I’ve had wonderful experiences getting flutes from Dave and the quality of his work exceeds the cost. His delrin flutes are terrific and very affordable.
Personally, I’m not nearly good enough for the wood v. polymer argument to even be relevant and I prefer the no-hassle of polymer. That being said, you cannot beat the Casey Burns folk flute for value if you really want wood. I’ve played a few and they are fantastic.
I agree with the prior three 
I have owned a Copley (keyless/ Delrin), I currently own a Forbes (keyless/ Delrin), a Burns Folk Flute in Boxwood (keyless), an M&E Ebonite 8 key and a Burns Rudall Carte copy Boxwood 6 key. It is so difficult to recommend to another person something that is as personal as the “proper” flute. I love each one of my flutes for very different reasons. That having been said, I can give my personal choices, limited as they may be. I think that the Forbes is the best choice for the non-wooden flutes. I briefly owned a Copley flute, but returned it after finding the C# was flat and frankly, it drove me to distraction. I can say that Dave Copley was wonderful to work with and promptly returned my money–no problem. I have come to conclude that having owned one flute for a brief period of time really isn’t a fair analysis of his product and in all respects is very limited, especially after reading the many positive comments and reviews of Copley Flutes on this forum. But keep in mind, I’m just giving my experience. Well, the Forbes plays very well for me and is nicely constructed–I do like the “O” rings that he uses, they seal very well. Plus the Forbes is within your stated price range, I believe.
The Casey Burns Folk Flute is of course made of wood and is a wonderful flute. I can’t say enough about how pleased I’ve been with mine and this is also within your stated price. In fact, I was so pleased with the quality and performance of the Folk Flute, I asked Casey to make one of his more expensive flutes for me, a Rudall Carte copy, that was a little over a year ago. One of the nice things about dealing with Casey is the fact that he will retro-fit his more expensive flutes (not the Folk Flutes) with keys, in the event that becomes your desire. Within the last few months, Casey added 5 keys to my flute and I love it!!! I know that this flute would be a little beyond your stated price range and I mention it only to point out how impressed I am with his flutes and the ongoing service that he provides after the initial purchase. I hope this helps out some.
Well, that was kind of why I tried to emphasize quality of the instruments, rather than which one’s best for me. Anyway, still nothing on M&E? really? They seem pretty popular, and nothing? From what I know now (not only from this post, but others) I probably want to go with the Somers, as I will want a slide eventually anyway. But, if not, my second choice is easily Copley.
The Copley, Forbes & Burns all have a long tenon that suffices as a tuning slide.
Yeah, but it doesn’t look as nice or “traditional”. Something about a tuning slide also makes it seem more… I don’t know, professional maybe. But if the Somers flute is considered an overall good flute, than I don’t think I will have much problem with fancy stuff vs. quality. And plus, on my wooden flute (the ebay one) when I move the tenons out, it seems to make the performance and stability between the octaves ever so slightly wonky.
Flutes were made without slides long before they were made with them.
Something about a tuning slide also makes it seem more… I don’t know, professional maybe.
It’s neither more nor less professional (just different)!
But if the Somers flute is considered an overall good flute, than I don’t think I will have much problem with fancy stuff vs. quality.
No, I don’t think so either, but still wouldn’t base my choice on some misguided concept of ‘professional’ appearance…
And plus, on my wooden flute (the ebay one) when I move the tenons out, it seems to make the performance and stability between the octaves ever so slightly wonky.
Delrin Copleys etc. have nice, thin tuning tenons and don’t go wonky when doing what they’re designed to do.
hah! beat me did ya!
rather neo-traditionalm, eh
like preferring the Monkeys to Buffalo Springfield?
wonky 
…Hey, I resemble that remark…
Anyway, the tuning slide adds considerably to price, but I feel it is an improvement over tuning by tenon. I never regretted converting my Copley from tenon-tuning to an actual tuning-slide.
My advice would be to save a bit more and get what you REALLY want. Frequent trading is fun and educational, but it gets expensive and can distract one from the music-learning process.
you tune? I knew there was somethin’ a bit odd about ya!
Well, I’m afraid Peter slightly misunderstood me, and the point I was trying to get across. But, about the professional part, well, was reluctant to say it that way, because I figured someone would look at it from where you did. I couldn’t think of exactly the word to use. I said professional because most of the professional players use them, and it seems to give a more special effect to an amateur player such as me (to the mind, not the sound). And about about me basing my choice on appearance, I tried to make it obvious that I’m doing my best to keep away from the attractive flutes, and only look for quality. But still, if I can get a good flute with a slide for the price of another good flute without a slide, but with quality not that far off, I’d probably go for that. Anyway, can we get back to the original point? I’m trying to gather information, not have a debate on the cognitive effects of slide vs. no slide.
Ok, about the M&E vs the others mentioned here. I have three M&E flutes. Played them for years. My only keyed flute is an M&E. They work just fine but they are quite rough overall compared to many other flutes. I have a blackwood Copley with sterling slide and rings. I also have a delrin Copley. I’ve played the Forbes too. M&E is not made with the quality of the Forbes or Copley. I’ll likely be selling the M&E’s since I got the delrin Copley. It’s just a very good and well made flute and such a bargain.
Just my two cents.
feadoggie
Okay, so M&E is out.
How many times do we get this question?
Get a Martin Doyle keyless in black wood and put in an order with Patrick Olwell for a 6 key… I’m sure someone here has his number.
Doyles are here:
http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/
You’ll be covered for life.
If you ever need more than that you’ll be better than most players in the entire world.
If you run into any problems with your playing and you ask the question everyone at one time asks… “Is it me or the flute?” The answer will be, 99.9% of the time. “You!”
Get one, play the hell out of it and don’t ever stop.
Enjoy! 
Are you kidding? You’re assuming that everyone has as much money on hand as you do. (well, I don’t know how much you do, but you get the point)
No. I’m not kidding. I’m dead serious actually.
Keyless Doyel in blackwood is 625 euro. If you are paying in dollars its probably getting less by the week given the current crisis. You don’t need the slide as he provides enough tenon.
That’s fekin cheap for a flute that you won’t have to fight to play and that will grow with you for a very long time.
The wait list for one of Patrick Olwell’s keyed fluted is what… 11 or more years now? If you can’t save up enough coin in that amount of time then… Heck you can probably check seat cushions and busk that much in 11 years.
Why buy multiple flutes you’ll grow out of when you could shoot for one or two you’ll keep for life? If you are concerned with economy you’ll save more money this way.
Me, myself and I: I think that Aanivl makes an excellent point which makes economic sense to me. In my earlier post, I listed some of the flutes which I have purchased, but each purchase was an effort on my part to acquire the best flute possible that would give me the sound that I wanted, for the best price. I’ve grown quite a bit and have learned a lot about my own limitations and likewise the limations of even the best of instruments. I finally found the instruments that worked for me, but the journey was an expensive one; hence, Aainvl’s advice, I think is sound and could save you bucks in the long haul. In my experiece, I will say this, you get exactly what you pay for and I think that is especially true with the purchase of flutes. BTW, I hate the idea of 11 year waiting lists (it’s a personal thing), even for an Olwell!!! In my opinion, I’ll never out grow or move beyond the capabilities of my 6 keyed Burns flute, a winner that one is. Good Luck and enjoy it.