Gemeinhardt 2SP Silver Plated Closed Hole Student

This is an excellent flute. In my school band I had tried two other flutes. Getting a sound out of them was hard and they didn't sound any good. When I tried this one, I was amazed at the sound quality. It is excellent and great for beginners like me. Although the thing I don't like about it is the tacky case... But I guess that's what you get for school bands. What matters is the flute anyway. I love how the keys are not too hard to push down but not really easy either. I enjoy playing on it and recommend this to all. Although I really do like wooden and golden flutes more, I know that you get what you pay for. Before had started renting it I would of liked to know the case was falling apart.

Being a High School player is a lot to handle especially when playing everyday with a nice flute. But after it's first year of use, it began going downhill, it wasn't as good as it was before, there was more of a resistance to me when I put it to my lips. But I appreciate this flute despite its aged flaws, because this was actually the first time I had played open-holed flute, even though I won't play it anymore, I will always keep it around as a back-up.

Well, I started playing when I was in 4th grade and being allergic to nickel, I ordered the silver plated Gemeinhardt 2SP. It was excellent sounding, easy to start with, very durable, cleaned easily, quality corks, and never needed any repairs. in 10th grade I had to upgrade to a solid silver flute for better tone quality, open holes, B foot, etc. but for the 5 years I played it, it stayed in excellent shape and not until recently would I have had to consider replace the padding. Overall still great, Woodwind Brasswind company has good price and although with a better flute now, I continue to use this one for pep band and marching band.

I have taught flute for 30 years. I have played and recorded all over the US and a couple of countries. Gemeinhardt used to make the 2SP in Elkhart, Indiana. The factory is still there, although very few flutes are actually built there any longer. They have farmed all 2SP production to the Angel factory in China. As with most Chinese factories, as long as your order is large enough, they will put any name you want on their flutes. Angel has been around for years and is known worldwide for making cheap copy instruments. Basically, when Brookstone Partners (an investment banking firm) bought Gemeinhardt a few years ago, they got rid of most of the craftspeople and employees. A typical Chinese flute cost around $40.00 FOB China. It seems to me these guys don't want to make a profit; they want to make a killing.

Don't be fooled, Gemeinhardt is riding on a name and nothing else. The 2SP is nothing like the US made original no matter what your salesperson says.

Do yourself a favor and take a look at other brands, even other Chinese made brands. I think you'll find a lot better student flute at a much better price.

I was looking for a flute for an advanced student. I found the Gemeinhardt 2SP silver plated closed hole at a Kennelly Keys garage sale. It was cheap and worked great. I recommend it to all students.