Used flutes are a great deal on Ebay.  But did you know that 90% of the used flutes sold on Ebay will need significant repairs?  That most have never been cleaned?  Read on about the most common problems with used flutes sold on Ebay.

By Rich Lupo

  

Used Flutes

As the owner of Richiewolf Fine Flutes and Piccolos, I have overhauled hundreds and hundreds of used flutes like the ones for sale on Ebay.  While used flutes are more economical and a better value for the money than new flutes, most of the used flutes sold on Ebay are of questionable condition.   There are several common problems that show up flute after flute: most of these problems need to be addressed by a repairman.  Even worse is the prospect that some of these problems are hidden, meaning the new owner does not know there is a problem until their child becomes frustrated with the instrument, often dropping out of band.  Even then, they probably do not know that the problem was with the flute, not with the child's talent. 

The Problem

Most of the flutes sold on Ebay are being sold by non-experts.  They do not know if the flute works as it should.  Most are parents of children who quit band.  You can not trust their appraisal of the flute's condition. 

Band directors do not have time to double check every student's instrument for problems.  Secondly, most band directors do not know much about instrument repair, or how to detect problems.  So, the result is a significant number of beginning band students who do not even know that their instrument is faulty, making learning impossible for them.  A flute that does not work is the ultimate disadvantage, the ultimate waste of money and education. 

Common Repair Problems on Used Flutes

• Dirtiness:  Germs, Spit, Residue, Tarnish

         

        Dirt and grime between the keys

Small children are not know for having great personal hygiene.  The flute, when played, is in contact with the players hands, fingers, and mouth.  Furthermore, in the act of blowing into the flute, significant amounts of saliva are deposited on and inside the flute.  The nooks and crannies under the mechanism become collecting places for dirt, dust, tarnish, and residue.  These areas are almost impossible to clean without complete disassembly of the flute, so the dirtiness builds up over time. 

Most used flutes are not completely cleaned and disinfected before selling on Ebay.  You do not want to touch them.  As the owner of Richiewolf Fine Flutes and Piccolos, when I repair used flutes I first start by wearing rubber gloves, and then spray the entire flute with alcohol disinfectant.  It's actually very disgusting.  But, once it is all cleaned up, the silver surface will shine again, and the germs will be gone.   

Many times the used flutes are shipped with their dirty and germ infested cleaning rod still in the case. 

        

       Dirty 'pad saver' cleaning rod shipped with the flute

• Pads: Torn, Bug Eaten, Swollen, Dirty

The most important condition element on any flute is the condition of the pads.  These seal the key to its tonehole when the key is pressed, changing the note played.  If these pads are not perfect, the keys will not seal, and the flute will not play.  This is called a leak.

On used flutes, leaks in the pads can be caused by several factors.  The pad can be swollen (pads are made of felt and can change shape when wet), torn (pads are covered in a thin, airtight, but delicate film), dirty, or very commonly, eaten by bugs.  This last one is perhaps the most problematic, because it leaves gouges in the surface of the pad, completely destroying the ability of the pad to seal the key over the tonehole.

      

       There is a gouge in the pad where the felt

       was eaten by bugs, creating a leak in the pad.

About ten years ago, the standard color of flute pads changed from white to yellow.  Any flute pads that are white (gray with dirt, most often) will need to be changed since they are over 10 years old.  Old pads are brittle, without the flexibility needed for a tight seal.  

• Mechanism Problems: Broken springs, Loose adjustment screws, Stuck keys

The keys of a flute, it's mechanism, is a complicated group of levers, bars, and keys.  The movement of the mechanism must be tightly controlled and precise for proper flute playing.  When certain keys are pressed, certain other keys are put down as well.  The motion of these keys must be regulated to tolerances approaching one one hundredth (.01) of a millimeter.  Adjustment screws on the keys help flute repairers regulate the mechanism.  After a certain amount of time (about 6 months) the mechanism goes out of regulation and must be re-adjusted by a professional repairman.  Most student instruments are not maintained in this way, and so do not play well.  The effect created is a leak.

      

       The key on the far right has a leak

Also common is broken springs, especially on the upper trill keys.  If these springs are broken, the key will not sit in its down position, making the flute unplayable. 

      

       The left key has a broken spring and sticks up

The buildup of grime and dirt can also cause keys to get stuck, binding the mechanism.  The mechanism should be oiled by professional repairmen every so often. 

• Headjoint Problems: Misplaced Cork

The headjoint of the flute is the mouthpiece, where the sound comes from.  The small end is closed off by a cork.  The screw at the end is called the crown, it lets you adjust the position of the cork for proper intonation.  The end of the cleaning rod has a line on it help with the positioning of the cork.  Insert the cleaning rod into the headjoint until it rests on the cork.  You should see the line on the rod in the exact center of the hole.  Most often, it is too far off center, making the flute play horribly out of tune. 

    

      The notch in the rod is not in the center

The Difference:  An Overhauled Flute

Some flutes on Ebay have been overhauled, a process that involves cleaning, polishing, replacing all pads, all repairs, and anything needed to make the flute play like new.  These flutes are often more expensive, but include peace of mind: knowing that your child has a flute that works as it should. 

 

  

    New yellow pads on a shiny overhauled flute

About the Author:

Rich Lupo is owner of Richiewolf Fine Flutes and Piccolos, the ebay store of Rich Lupo Flutes and Piccolos.  He is a professional flutist, flute teacher, and flute repairer.