OK. I’ve finally decided to save up for a flute. Now the question is which one? I want something nice, but probably not over $400. I haven’t started saving up yet 
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I’ve looked at the M&E polymer, but my computer wouldn’t pull up a sound sample. I’ve also looked at Sweetheart, and also at Healy.
Does anyone have any good suggestions or preferences of their favorite flute (within the said price range)? Thanks.
Collin
Take a look over on E Bay. There are lots of them .
Jon, C. burns, Seery…
M&E all the way! Do a forum search and you should end up with plenty of info and soundclips. I have two posted on Clips and Snips under flutes, and James Peeples has plenty (much better clips) of both M&E original and R&R flutes.
If you’re going to spend under $400, you can take Healy off your list. New, they start at $750 ( http://www.skiphealy.com/frames/main/instr_flute_2piece.htm ). I happened to be very lucky and got a 3 piece keyless for much less than his list price, though still more than $400, but new, they start at $1000.
Not a flute player, but that doesn’t mean I won’t share my opinion. 
If you are planning on getting an expensive flute in the long run, a plastic M&E (or other plastic flute) might be a good option because when you get your “expensive” flute you can always use the M&E in tougher conditions.
ebay is to much of a risk to take if you’re putting it all on the line.
a Delrin (or PVC) flute will have it’s place, even if later on you get a wooden/better flute.
go with plastic as your first flute.
e.
Seery all the way!
I’ve had 2 keyed M&E flutes and also have played on a Seery for 5 years and, it’s obviously just MY opinion, the Seery is a lot more constant, in tune, lighter, easier to play, also possible to had keys on, and Mr Seery is also a very good fellow. This doesn’t criticize anything from Mr Cronnolly work, I just prefer the Seery so much …
Leo
Or you could save a little more and get an entry-level Olwell. I’m pretty sure those are still under $600.
If it’s between a Seery and an M&E, I’d go with the Seery.
I still wanna try someone’s M&E R&R so I can compare, but I love my Seery to this day. Played it outside during lunch today, and man it sounds good.
Eric
I echo Eilam, you ought to think about getting a Delrin flute from Jon C. If I wasn’t accustomed to my M&E I’d probably go with a Rudall model out of delrin…
Well, if you can make to a session in Chandler AZ tonight, you can try mine. 
Bob
Well, if you can make to a session in Chandler AZ tonight, you can try mine. party
Bob
Sure thing Bob! I’ll be there…just ask everyone to hang around till I drive up - should be sometime late Saturday/early Sunday. 
Eric
Who is Jon C. you guys mention? Does he make Delrin flutes?
anton
Buying used is a great idea, and posting a want add on this forum is a great way to do it.
I’ve owned Copeland, Hoza, Hamilton, Seery, M&E and Dixon flutes.
To be honest the Seery was the best, and the one I still play. Its not even one of his new ones, its an old used one I paid $300 for. I’ve played it in concerts all over, its scratched up, and I keep it in my backpack (and occassionally my patrol pack, I’m a soldier). It sounds great and never breaks.
The Dixon was less of a finger reach, and a good choice as well. The rest are all more expensive than $400, and to be honest, I didn’t like them as much.
Good luck finding something good. I however, second the above Seery rocks!
I’m acctually planning on getting a keyless Delrin Seery now that I’ve been playing M&E for two years. The plan is that if I like it well enough I’ll get a fully keyed wooden Seery later. My only concern here is that theoretically, the M&E should be a lot easier for a newbie to learn on. Don’t you fellows think that the Seery would be unnecessarily difficult? Even Matt Molloy started on a smaller holed flute 
And even though it’s probably easier to play in many ways, I don’t think that means that the M&E will be more uninteresting for an advanced player. The M&E will probably last a lifetime as well.
I got a Seery for my first attempt on flute,
and must say it’s worth every penny (or Euro cents, that is..!
It can be a beast to the very beginner, but you’ll get past that and I suspect it will give you more joy than many other ‘budget’ flutes, as time passes.
It has a (potentially) huge sound with a lot of potential for complex timbres.
I have tried much more expensive flute that lacked that, but may have felt easier to play.
They did not satisfy me.
So, for the long run, get a Seery polymer flute.
And when you’re too exhausted to practice, spend time looking for your next flute
Most people will want a wooden flute eventually,
and keep the Seery as a robust travelling/camping/barfight companion.
For many of the popular makers, there is some waiting time; up to one year.
So you might as well consider ordering the next one as soon as possible.
I have had my Seery for one year now; and have 10 months to go for my blackwood flute.
And I cant wait! Good thing I have a REAL flute to struggle with meanwhile
Cheers and good luck,
Eivind
Well…I’m not a beginning flute player…and a wood flute would be nice…If I remember correctly, wooden M&E flutes in D are $550. Should I head in that direction? But, if I go with the polymer, I could always add keys later.
I say go for the Burns. Consider it, anyway! http://caseyburnsflutes.com/ That’s what I have and love, and you could get one in mopane for not much more than your price range, and you can get keys added later.
i took a trip to to Desi’s to try out some of his flutes. he’s a though old fella in his 60’s, still driving the motorbike, he has no car. and he’s been working 7 days a week. he’s a nice old man. i tried a mopane and a boxwood, but didn’t like the feel of these two woods, but i sure liked the keyed blackwood he was repairing. Desi had no blackwood available, those are only on order. so i gave the delrin a try and played it right up to the high E in the third octave, i was a bit surprised myself. but Desi told me about school and clubs ordering them all over ireland, so if a child can learn on this flute, how can it be hard? i tried his small holed flute for kids, but prefered the larger hole by far, it felt more comfortalbe for my fingers. he also makes his holespacing, for the top and bottom hand the same. if there were a bigger stretch on one hand, i believe it would be more difficult to play for me. so i bought that flute, we said goodbye, he led me out on to the road, showed me directions for the bus and put an’ol fiver on my hand.
after practicing today, i discovered there’s a lot lot more to learn on the flute. i had no sore lips, but i had to take short breaks, i think i’ve to get a bit used to the weight of this flute, but it’s my first one.
this flute is driving me to the drink swear i drink more now, but i also have taken up singing again, thanks to the flute.