Due to the distrust that Ebay has been earning. I was wondering. Who are respectable dealers that some one can buy a used flute from? I am especially wondering about starter flutes maybe not beautiful, but play well enough to get a person started. I know of used flute sellers like Ralph Sweet and the irishflutestore. I am sure that there are dealers that do not have websites that may have an old playable instruments and people that want to play them.
When I was looking for a good used flute, that I was lucky to find a board member that had a used flute that I could trust.
One thing that I would like to mention is that dealers that own the flutes are different than people selling the flute on a list because they have a reputation. That is the same problem with Ebay. They are just a middle man.
Our own Doc Jones’s irishflutestore.com site usually has a few used flutes available (look under “pre-owned whistles and flutes”). He also has a pretty good assortment of new flutes. I haven’t bought a flute from him yet myself, but I have a sneaking hunch I’ll end up doing so sooner or later . . .
(be careful, I do not know them personnaly… If we can trust Dave Migoya or Ralph Sweet, I am not really sure of the others, and some of them are much more expensive than eBay)
I’m hesitant to buy from someone on the board who has only one or two posts–they’re posting just to sell an instrument. They have no history here, so I’d be much more careful in that instance.
On the other hand, if it’s someone who’s been around here for quite some time and has a history, I’d feel MUCH more comfortable.
I’m not sure what you meant to say, but having done business with both David Migoya and Ralph Sweet, I would not hesitate to trust them. As for your list:
Lark in am - I would want to visit the shop and try out any flutes before I purchased them David Migoya - IMHO - knowledgable and trustworthy Music treasures - I do not know them - no opinion to offer but I think this is Glinjack from this forum, no? In any event, Music Treasures has been a major dealer on eBay for a long time. Review the feedback and draw your own conclusion, but last time I looked it appeared to be outstanding. Tony Bingham - IMHO - knowledgable and trustworthy William Petit - I do not know them - no opinion to offer
Two other names that came up on this thread:
Vintage Instruments - IMHO - knowledgable and trustworthy Irish Flute Store - I just sent Doc a flute of mine to sell for me based on the good feedback he has received here on C&F!
Hope my one vote is of some use to those of you trying to figure out who to trust out there.
TAMADDEN wrote----Music treasures - I do not know them - no opinion to offer but I think this is Glinjack from this forum,
I dont know anything about Music Treasures other than to see their advert
now and then,
I do sell used flutes sometimes on ebay and also on private sales, I hav’nt
tried to sell any flutes during the past almost a year as im busy doing my carpentry work,
I have quite a good number of flutes for sale, will be selling againn in the new year on ebay.
Lark in the Morning’s offerings vary widely. The flutes they sell under their own name/no name are dodgy, but they also offer flutes by Ralph Sweet, Casey Burns and other makers. However, in visiting their SF shop a few times, I was troubled by the lack of proper care and storage all their flutes received.
This is partly why I was looking for Dealers that could be trusted and owned the instruments. Larger music stores do not deal in used instruments and the online forums that facilitate sales between sellers and buyers (much like Ebay) just leave you with “let the buyer beware”.
I remember a post about old French and German flutes that played well but had repairs to cracks etc. and others that talk of finding a Sears flute that can actually play. Not valuable instruments, but they could be a nice way for someone to get started.
Often I see on this forum advice on which flute is a good beginners flute, but rarely do I hear anything about used flutes being an option because scams are so prevalent and hard for beginners to spot.
I have had very good experience dealing with the Von Huene workshop back in my recorder days. Very trustworthy and customer oriented.
I believe they still have antique flutes restored by Friedrich von Huene for sale, but they are not posted on the web. You have to call for a listing. And they occasionally get a used Irish flute.
We do typically have a number of used Baroque flutes in stock; Camerons, Folkers and Powell, and so on, as well as various vH flutes. Sometimes we also have a Nach Meyer or two on consignment as well. Sadly, we rarely get any late 19th century (Irish style) flutes. I think we do have a Casey Burns flute in stock at the moment, but it may be in Eb.
For those looking for a traverso, new or used, we are willing to ship one or more instruments to you on approval - if you don’t like it, send it back, no obligation.
Finally, for those of you who are looking for true historic instruments, Friedrich does have a collection of original baroque and Ren instruments available for sale.
Forum members and knowledgeable flute players David Levine and Jessica K. have offered a number of interesting flutes for sale over the years. My Wilkes has passed through their hands and into mine. Keep an eye out, some nice instruments get put up for sale
