A friend of mine just made made me an extended loan of a keyless Copeland flute. He’s a great player on multiple instruments but hasn’t been playing this flute and wants it to be played. I’m happy to comply.
He’s interested in selling it to a more permanent player and has no idea what these are currently worth. He doesn’t want to make a killing, just to get a fair price, maybe even give a buyer a good break.
The flute is Blackwood with silver colored rings-- not sure if they’re really silver. There is a fine crack in the head going lengthwise through the embouchure hole. This doesn’t seem to affect the sound since the head is fully brass lined. The cork could use replacing at some point. For now, the joints are stabilized pretty well with teflon plumber’s tape.
Any feedback? Best way for him to sell this?
In that condition, I’d estimate about $600-$650. Without the crack & decent cork, perhaps $800. In like new condition, used, approaching $1,000 to an anxious buyer. I’ve had two go through my hands, neither broke $800.
In today’s market, which is way down from where it used to be, I’d say $500 considering the crack and cork issues.
I don’t really know about the value of a Copeland flute, but the crack in the head significantly affects value IMO. It may not leaking now, but as we so often have to point out, the idea that a full metal lining means a cracked head can’t leak is simply erroneous. It may not be leaking now, but that’s luck, not a certainty. Nor can it be considered reliably stable - in altered conditions or just with time it may well open up and leak. A crack through the embouchure can leak from the crack line in the walls of the embouchure along the crack itself or between the wooden and metal tubes, depending on the state of the adhesive. Such leakage can be quite sufficient to weaken or even prevent the sounding of low end notes. That said, I have encountered heads with significant cracks which played well, but one cannot rely on that state persisting. If the instrument is to be played regularly, it should be properly repaired, be that before or after sale, and clearly that affects desirability and value as-is.