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I own a Gemeinhardt M2, and it is badly in need of an overhaul. My questions are thus: What is a fair price for a flute overhaul (I've been quoted $200), and is it worth having this particular flute overhauled, or is it more of a bringing-the-hamster-to-the-vet situation? I have asked these questions of a number of people, and have received markedly different answers, so I decided to put it to the Ultimate Authority of All Things Musical, the TNFJ.

The shop I took it to wants to disassamble it, replace all the pads and corks and adjust it so all the pads seat properly. I bought the thing in a pawn shop in 1987 and paid $90 for it.

I voted 'yes'. My reasoning is that even though it's still an old flute and not worth much more than what the repad cost... at least you know that you have a descent student-level flute that will give you years of service.

Same goes for tubas. I think a dent-free King 1241 with a fresh valve job for $1,800 is a MUCH better investment than ANY $1,800 tuba currently on the market.

I vote that you base the decision on whether you like the thing and it works for you. I have my own Gemeinhardt M2 around here somewhere, but flutes just hurt my ears, so it isn't much of a conundrum for me! But I just spent a load of money on new pads and such for a '35 King tenor, that some would tell you is afflicted with troubles that have been resolved in modern instruments. It's for me, not them.

Update: Flute issue solved. I found a newer Gemeinhardt 2sp for $120.

Hmmm.... when I take possesion of the flute I will look. Plays nice, though.

bloke wrote:I wonder just how new...(??)

Check out what's super-lightly stenciled on the rib of this _-SP...

Looked; there's nothing there. Apparently it was made in good ol' Elkhart.