Gemeinhardt 3OSHBGLP Flute Gold Lip Plate J1 Solid Silver Headjoint

I have a 3shb flute bought new a few years ago. I prefer the much sweeter sound of an Armstrong I bought at a pawn shop, even though the Armstrong looks like it lost a fight or two in its day. As to the Gemeinhardt, the low b flat key is a good thing, as is the gismo for highest C. The 3shb's sound is techically fine and all, but this instrument just has no soul.

I respect the high school student's review, however, for the price, she could have purchased a far superior flute. I majored in flute in undergraduate school and it was there that I learned how Gemeinhardt flutes just don't hold up. Repairs become frequent and costly.

Didn't work when I got it and seller didn't refund me.

Came in good time. A dream come true for my daughter. Thank you. Would buy from this seller again. Definitely recommend this flute!!!

This year my Gemeinhardt (3SHB) and I celebrate 20 years together. I played it intensely through junior high and high school, several hours daily as I played in band, symphony, competitions and then some; then played through a few performances in college, and now just for the joy of playing flute. As for the previous review of "Gemeinhardts not holding up," I find it very hard to believe. Mine has been through the rigors and granted I've given it tender care since the moment I received it (polishing, cleaning), it has required the most minimal bit of tuning and the only "repair" if it counts as such is getting a pad changed every now and then. It's remarkably resilient, has a beautiful rich tone, and as I, an avid player who no longer aspires to be a professional one but a fairly (darn) good one, I find no need to "upgrade." It's my baby, and I love it.As for the other bizarre comment of gender and lung capacity, this is the first I've heard of such a thing in over 25 years of practice. You could find a gentleman with very weak lung capacity as easily as you can find a lady (with decently long fingers) who can make this flute sing brightly and beautifully, with the rich tone it was built to produce.Long story short, not one complaint after 20 years.[My first baby flute. Armstrong closed hole. My life flute, this one.]

I've been playing this flute since 1989 and it would recommend it to anyone who plays. It was my first (and only) open hole flute & I found it very easy (way back in the day) to learn how to play open hole, mainly due to the shape of the keys. The flute has an awesome resonant tone (I'm assuming due to the weight of the solid sterling headjoint) in both high & low registers.This flute is incredibly durable - when I was in highschool & college it made it through many a class, concert, gig, competition and through hour upon hour of practicing! In the 20+ years I've had it, I've never had to have any repairs done on it except for pad replacement so I don't understand where Gemeinhardt has earned the reputation for flutes that don't hold up. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever buy another flute unless I can someday afford a solid silver flute, and you can bet that I'll be looking for a Gemeinhardt flute first, before considering any other brand.My piccolo is also a Gemeinhardt, and bought around the same time has endured the years just as well as my Gemeinhardt 3SHB flute, without any repairs.

I have been playing for about 6 years now, and am at an advanced high school level. (concertos, sonatas; LOTS of Bach). This was my first open-hole flute, although I have the offset-G key, which helps with transitioning to open hole. For a student flute, it has excellent tone, and it is very easy to produce a full range of dynamics. The flute is also very comfortable to play on, as the keys and infrastructure of the flute are well placed. The lower range, including the low B has a very nice sound and the notes are fairly easy to produce. I have been playing on this flute for about 3 years, and my older, beginners flute and piccolo are both Gemeinhardts. Gemeinhardt is an excellent brand for student flutists and even more experienced players, so I highly recommend any of their instruments. This is a great flute for anyone starting open-hole or just looking for a reliable instument. If you can afford it, the Gemeinhardt 3SB, with a solid silver body, produces an even nicer, more resonant tone, but this model also has a wonderful sound.

Very quick delivery. Item was better than expected!