Customer Reviews

Gemeinhardt 2SP Silver Plated Flute Outfit

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I did the homework so you don't have to.

I looked around a long time before deciding on this particular flute. My daughter is starting band and I wanted a decent starter flute that would be easy to play and be durable at the same time. I played in band many years ago and I have seen a large array of different instruments. I can't see how you could a better value than this instrument. First of all it is Triple silver plated not nickel/silver like so many cheap flutes are. It is very obvious when you first see this instrument that is silver plated. I can tell you this instrument is nothing short of stunning in appearance. More importantly than initial appearance is silver can be polished to regain initial luster. I played a brass instrument that had a clear lacquer coat that looked awful after 2 years even though I cleaned my instrument after every use. I had a friend that had a silver plated trumpet that was beautiful after 6 years of playing. For me personally, silver plated is the best compromise from the intermediate and professional flutes that have gold and silver and other precious metals in their hardware. Please keep in mind this finish can still be worn off. You absolutely must wipe this instrument off after every use. The acid and oils in your hands and saliva will eat the finish off the instrument. This is much more durable than the cheap lacquer coated instruments but you still have to take care of it. It will certainly stay beautiful much longer than one that is not silver plated.

Open or closed 16 hole? My intention is to get my daughter a different flute or piccolo as she progressed if she desired to continue in band. As an initial flute the closed hole is a better solution for many as it is difficult for most young learners to keep that hole closed and learn the other fingerings. That being said, if you want to get a single flute for your child I would suggest as the best option one that has a plug that can be removed for that 16th hole or an open 16th hole flute. You will find many beginner flutes that have the 16th hole closed. Sometimes referred simply as a Plateau model.

Curved head or not? If my daughter was not almost 12 with average length arms I might would consider this option. I shied away from this because I was afraid that changing it back to a straight flute could potentially hurt my daughter's progress. Good technique starting from the start will overcome the problem of the keys being so far out. In case anybody is wondering what I am talking about, Jupiter one of the brands that sells a flute with a C-shaped head joint that shortens the distance you have to reach with your right hand to play the flute. Maybe I am too old school, but I think that playing with the standard shaped instrument will lead to better overall progress. This model does not come with that option. It was something that I explored so I put that information here in case you where considering that for your child. Please disregard this paragraph if you are not interested in this option for your child.

Key Action. One comment I read here said the key action was "stiff". First of all, this is a beginner instrument, you want the key action to be clean and decisive. Stiff in my opinion is an overstatement. This misleading comment alone could turn hundreds off to what I consider a great starter instrument. I played this instrument and went through the entire range of keys and I found them to be very good to excellent. I think perhaps if you where looking for an intermediate or professional instrument that this one would be quite disappointing. I would feel a vast majority of beginners would be very satisfied with the key action with an equal number of professionals would be sorely disappointed. Please take the "stiff keys" review with a grain of salt. My review is strictly from a search for a beginner's instrument view.

I found this an easy flute to learn on. I have never played one in my life and found the tone to be very clear and easy to blow. The very same "stiff key" review noted a harsh tone. I can not say that is true.

I spent a long time looking all over for the best value instrument. My choices where a used Yamaha or this one new. I am not a big fan on buying used products, I would never consider buying a used band instrument that was not recently refurbished by a professional music shop. You can quickly rack up a huge bill on replacement pads, key replacement and adjustments.

I think when you go just below this price point you really get into the cheap stuff. Poor key action, bad misaligned pads, poor craftsmanship and a finish that looks ugly after a year. [...].

[...].

When I first started playing the flute two years ago, I received this flute as a gift from my parents. It has served me faithfully so far, and I have only had to take it for repair once, and that was just a quick tightening of a leaking key.
The Gemeinhardt 2SP is a VERY durable flute. It withstood my rough, clumsy, inexperienced fingers and my countless dropping of it. (On carpet, thankfully.)
The headjoint, keys, body, and footjoint are all silver-plated. Although the quality of the tone cannot, of course, match those of an intermediate or professional flute, they come out clear and easily and are more than enough for a beginner.
I highly recommend the Gemeinhardt 2SP for the flute beginner.
Two thumbs up!

I received the flute quick and in good condition exept for some sticky goo on the inside of the body piece, about an inch wide. I took it off with q-tip and vascoline. The embouchure hole is the oval shape (unlike the Jupiters and Armstrong, which is a rounded-off square shape), and requires soft playing to get clear notes. If you like a better tone, and dont mind using more air power, I suggest the other models mentioned. For now Im happy with this model, since the notes are quicker having the small oval shape, and needing less effort and air. For my indoor hobby I find it suitable for soft and quiet playing. The keys are soft to the touch, not bouncy, and you get a black plastic cleaning rod with it.

This model of flute (2SP) has been the standard for beginners for years. I played one 25 years ago, and as a flutist and band director, recommend them. Amazon's price is a very good price for a new flute of this quality.

When your child moves up to an intermediate flute, or quits the flute (it DOES happen...), the name Gemeinhardt will give you assurance that you have a decent resale value. This particular model is in the top two of the readily available models in the US (that I recommend), and is the least expensive of those two.

It is a good idea when buying ANY woodwind instrument to have an instrument check look it over. Even new instruments can get out of adjustment in shipping! A good instrument tech can make a world of difference.

The flute is pretty well. I've been using this flute for marching in my marching band. I gave it 4 stars only because the flute sometimes can't play certain notes such as the G and the Ab. But again, this flute has gone through rain and sunshine during marching band and is still working pretty well.
i have had this flute for quite a long time and haven't brought it for repair once. (occassionally one of the springs or the screws came loose but my dad just poped it right back in with a screwdriver) I wouldn't reccommend this flute for advanced flute players as it is a begginner flute. The 3SB Gemeinhardt flute shall do good for advanced players or intermediate players.

We ordered this new flute and it came from Victor Lintz music store in MD thru Amazon. The price was amazing and although my daughter's music teacher warned us about buying on-line, we did it anyways after pricing used flutes in our area. We got a brand new, "no flaws" flute in a nice black case. We had it checked out at the music store and the owner nodded in disbelief that we'd gotten it at such a great price ($269 plus postage). Don't be scared about ordering on line. Lintz does have a 100% rating.

This was my first flute and it served me well for 8 years before I upgraded to a higher-end flute for college requirements, otherwise I would never have wanted to part with it. I took it in to replace the pads only a few times in those 8 years. It held up very well over the years and withstood hours and hours of practice and cleaning (I was always polishing it before concerts and other performances).

I consider it to be an excellent beginner flute based on reliability, ease of use, and tone quality. I highly recommend it for up-and-coming flautists!

I have used this flute from Middle School, well into High School! It is an easy to use and easy to learn instrument. It came with a metal cleaning rod and was easy to clean. It was a great instrument to learn in my young life and got me to first chair! It is a very fun way of learning about music!!! I highly recommend it!
-Flute came with (Black Hard Cover Case, Blue Velvet Inside and Metal Cleaning Rod.)

My daughter started playing flute for her school band, and we were presented the option to rent this exact same flute for about $180 per year. The rental unit wasn't even new (2-years old - yuk)! If we were to buy the used instrument instead of renting, the music store was willing to sell it to us for $600...

I have no idea how much flutes cost, so I came onto Amazon to check. Sure enough, a brand-spanking new Gemeinhardt 2SP can be had for less than $300! So the choice was very clear - we returned the rented instrument IMMEDIATELY and bought our own. The rest, as they say, is history.

6 months later, the flute is serving us very well. It's the exact same model as the rented units that other students are using, so they tone characteristics are exactly the same. We are so glad that we decided to buy our own new unit instead of paying for the over-priced rental.

I am an adult beginner. I knew the brand Gemeinhardt from a music instrument store. They strongly recommended student flute of Gemeinhardt and Jupiter. But normally, a student flute of these two brand costs $500-600 after discount. I was excited when I found this one with such low price (of course, it may not be the same model they showed me in the store.) It is so beautiful,and comes with a three year warranty. I asked my friend who had been playing flute for many many years to try it for me. She said this flute was excellent. I strongly recommended this one!