Anybody know anything about flutes?

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So, my lovely wife played flute in high-school. And I don't mean just skin-flute.
The past couple of years, she has been saying she'd like to get one again, and play.

I want to surprise her with one for Christmas.
I'm thinking there is no shortage of used flutes for sale at local music stores and pawn shops, but I have no idea what to look for.

I'm assuming they come it different sizes, like saxophones & such?
Is there a good "all-around" flute to look for?

Brands, or marks of quality I should be aware of?

Any and all input appreciated, thanks!

The biggest issue to watch for with old used flutes is old pads that leak and worn out springs. That's all I know. 

According to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, "the flute is a heavy, metal instrument."

stringtwang is right.

i think most music stores would be able to set you up with a good used flute that's been checked out by their repair tech. that would be safer than a pawnshop or craigslist, since you don't play and can't check it yourself. with most musical instruments IMO you're better off with a 50-year-old US made instrument than a new low price Chinese one. I think a common one back in high school band was the Gemeinhardt brand; AFAIK Yamaha instruments are all pretty good. unlike saxes there's only one common size.

I use to work at the local band rental store.  Agreed, pads go bad and can be expensive to fix.  Most flutes out there are student models that always need some work.  Might want to go to your local music store that does band rentals and get the current range of prices and qualities, and see if they do repairs as part of the rental agreement (it doesn't mean you have to rent from them, but you have a place that can repair any used flute you might find).

https://thetechieflutist.com/which-flute-should-i-buy-student-intermedia...

I loved Ian Andersons story about how Jeff, Jimi, Jimmy, and Eric were all great guitarist, but they sucked on the flute (as to one of the reasons he bought one)

Here's some more general flute info.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/winds/flutes/400_300...

And maybe I'm butting in, but are flutes that expensive?

I've never been married, but for a Christmas gift wouldn't a new flute be a little nicer than a used one?

Apologies if that's NOMB.

Either way, IMO musical instruments are always an awesome gift, good luck finding a good one.

Thanks for all this information, folks!

I hadn't even thought about the wear-parts.
And yes, a new one might make sense.

Unless, like Quinn suggested, I can find a well-maintained classic quality instrument.

Funny my wife was the same. A few years ago I looked into it and was so surprised that flutes cost a fortune at least decent ones. And repairing flutes is pricey as she still had her high school flute which was in the basement so mold ws growing on the pads, it was like 2 grand to get it rebuilt. I ended up with her permission trying a clarinet as there are a ton of used ones around but when she realized that she had to bite the reed to make a sound it was a deal breaker, so I have 1 moldy flute and 2 used clarinets now collecting dust. Good luck

maybe at some point in retirement I'll start a Klezmer  Band

Lol Jeff, yeah they are way fuckin pricier than I was thinking!

JK, I will join your klezmer band !