Price difference between Flute and Saxophone [Archive]

dude123

10-30-2009, 04:51 AM

Whats the price difference between a student/beginner flute and a comparable quality/level saxophone. What about intermediate and professional?

Also are there Soprano, Alto, Tenor (and Baritone?) flutes?
Thanx

bandmommy

10-30-2009, 05:13 AM

Prices vary depending on brand.
There are Piccolo, Flute, Alto flute, Bass flute... I don't know about baritone or contra flutes.

bruce bailey

10-30-2009, 06:16 AM

Student C flutes start at about $100 used, intermediate used about $350, top line used about $3,000. Alto flutes are $500+, Bass flutes $1,200+, contra-bass (new) about $3,800+. Flutes have a wider price range than saxes as the silver and gold can run the prices up. New all gold flutes start around $30K and some models can break $75K. University students tend to play $10K-15K flutes that I service.

eddierich

10-30-2009, 06:20 AM

Prices vary depending on brand.
There are Piccolo, Flute, Alto flute, Bass flute... I don't know about baritone or contra flutes.

There are contra flutes. Check out Eva Kingma's site (http://www.kingmaflutes.com/mySite/index.html). The video is pretty cool too.

For a new, professional model alto saxophone, you would probably spend from $2500 - $5000.
For a new, solid silver professional model flute, you're talking $5000 - $13000. Flutemakers offer a lot more options in terms of keywork and materials which can add a very significant cost to an instrument. It would be possible to order a platinum flute with all the options for probably $50000 or more. Check out this pricelist (http://www.brannenflutes.com/price.html) from Brannen Brothers.

eddierich

10-30-2009, 06:22 AM

Student C flutes start at about $100 used, intermediate used about $350, top line used about $3,000. Alto flutes are $500+, Bass flutes $1,200+, contra-bass (new) about $3,800+. Flutes have a wider price range than saxes as the silver and gold can run the prices up. New all gold flutes start around $30K and some models can break $75K. University students tend to play $10K-15K flutes that I service.

Beat me to it. $75K! I didn't think it would go THAT high. Wow!

Perry

10-30-2009, 06:30 PM

This may be a stupid question, but I'm not really sure of the answer: Why is a cheap flute less expensive than a cheap sax? Guitars, trumpets can also be found cheaper than a saxophone.

Is it mainly the material cost that makes the price difference, or is it the workmanship behind it? Maybe something else?

bruce bailey

10-31-2009, 06:08 AM

I costs less to make a beginner flute and there are lots of used ones around.