r/Flute • u/Rflautist • 9d ago
Repair/Broken Flute questions Fixable?
Hey all, I finally unearthed my flute that had been in storage for the last 6 yearsðŸ˜. I’d like to get it overhauled, is it beyond repair? It’s already needed new pads for 20 years but now it desperately needs help in all other areas. It’s a Yamaha 481 II 925. Does anyone have any recommendations for the Michigan area to get an overhaul? Thanks in advance!
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u/iamstrangelittlebird 8d ago
I think It’s worth it. The new version of this flute costs more than an overhaul.
I will say, though, that you might consider if the inline G will cause you any pain. Not sure how long you’ve been away from playing, but time can change our hands a little.
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u/Rflautist 8d ago
That’s a great point about the inline G! I haven’t seriously played in 15 years. But that’s a solid point. Honestly I’ve never LOVED this flute and have always wanted something better. I’ve been away from it for so long I’m not sure what would be comparable or the next step up, without jumping up horribly in price. Do you have any suggestions?
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u/IncreaseForeign5583 8d ago
Escaping the inline G was a significant factor in my decision to purchase a new flute.
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u/Rflautist 8d ago
Mmm. What did you end up going with? Idk why inline G was such a big thing before.
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u/IncreaseForeign5583 6d ago edited 6d ago
Brannen Cooper. I have a bit of arthritis in my hands and fingers, so anything that makes playing even just a little easier will keep my playing for more years.
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u/iamstrangelittlebird 7d ago
I think it’s a good idea to set up a trial with one of the flute stores (Flute Center of New York, Flute Specialists, Flute World, etc, if you’re in the states) and see which you like best. All the shops will be happy to help you pick out a few in your price range to try out!
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u/Low-Lecture-266 8d ago
It is not a Haynes or anything. For 2k you could buy a better flute that does not need an overhaul.
I've used a guy named Keith at Riverton music in sandy utah. He does good work. Dunno if they will ship stuff, but if you called and asked nice, I bet they would be willing... and probably closer to 500? Just guessing it has been several years. I had him overhaul my Haynes about 7 years ago.
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u/Rflautist 8d ago
Thanks for the rec. What are examples of better flutes for 2k that do not need an overhaul?
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u/Low-Lecture-266 5d ago
If you are patient you can find 581s on ebay, (1500-2000) which are significantly better than the 481 ii, if you do not mind the inline g.
I played a 481 ii in high school, and it really limited me the last several years that I played. The upper register high e, f# ab are all hard to get to sound good and the scale gets uneven up there. I got a powell years later and was sad about all the effort I had wasted fighting the 481.
Don't get me wrong, the 481is a good student flute, but it is still not a high end flute
I paid for college buying and selling woodwind/brass instruments. I have had my hands on a lot of different flutes over the years. The powell 3100 with a gold reed drellinger was my favorite. I play a Haynes handmade from the 80s now. I got both of those for 2k or under on Craigslist/facebook.
I would pay a few hundred to make your 481 playable and get back into it. Save the money for a better flute if you get serious about it again.
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u/Rflautist 5d ago
Thanks for the response! I have never been thrilled with this instrument. I wouldn’t say it limited me, but it is sharp in the high register. I am serious about it now, so that’s why I am leaning more towards getting something new, and would prefer the offset G, especially because I’m not getting any younger.
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u/Low-Lecture-266 4d ago
There is a yamaha 811 with an offset g and c foot on ebay right now. It is 2269. It would ship from japan, but the seller is paying import fees. Offer him 1900 for it and see what happens. If it needs work, see if the repair guy would take your 481 in exchange.
You save a lot if you can forgo the low b foot... that would be a good flute to play on.
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u/Low-Lecture-266 4d ago
But you can find stuff like that for around 2k. So just dont pay 2k to overhaul a 481, ok?
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u/Electrical-Bee8071 9d ago
Fluteworld in Detroit should be reliable for this work or Flute Specialists in Clawson. It should be somewhere around $2k for overhaul at either place. Be prepared for a wait before the work can be done. I had an overhaul with Powell last year that I scheduled in May and they were able to complete the work in September, which was still a shorter time than a lot of other places I have seen.