Buying your flute: The types of Flute

So you have decided to go ahead and purchase your flute. You are going to love it. But not just yet. You need to get the perfect fit for you, to actually begin loving your asset. There are mainly three kinds of flutes, according to my knowledge (nowadays, even applications make music, so it is difficult to judge). They are:

1. Student models:  This is the basic flute you’d like to go for, if you are just starting and do not wish to spend a lot on something you are in a dilemma of learning (who knows, flute might not suit you too). These flutes are silver-plated nickel flutes (usually), and are completely automatically made in machines. The springs are usually made of stainless steel, instead of pricier metals. This is how their prices are low (you might get a decent flute for $400 to $900). This model will not be including a lot of options. You might not get much customization either. On some student model flutes, you will find hand-made and curved headjoints, which effectively mimic the sound quality of a more expensive instrument.
2. Conservatory flutes (for pre-professionals): These flutes are handmade, and sound almost as fine as the professional flutes. The body of these flutes is made of silver-plated nickel, and includes a hand-cut headjoint, made of solid silver. The springs are made of stainless steel, but are carefully placed by hand. Usually, the material of the flute makes a much less impact on the sound, than the method in which it is made. Machines can never replicate the preciseness with which humans tenderly hand-make a flute. You can get one of these flutes from $2500 to $9000, depending on the quality and the customizations the manufacturers have made.
3. Professional models: This is the heaven for a flautist. The flute makers (usually just one flute making professional makes a complete flute for you) labor to make these flutes the top of the lines, with the best materials, and most precise craftsmanship. It takes months to build one of these, perfectly. Queue for these flutes can be up to three years long. You can choose the complete specifications, the thickness, material, the weight, the number of keys (you can get extra ones too), the shape of headjoint (you can usually get different headjoints to suit your needs, over a defined period by the manufacturing company), and a lot of other things. You can also get these flutes engraved, to make it a perfect masterpiece. The prices can be from $10000 for silver flutes, to about $40000 for gold flutes. You can also get custom made platinum flutes if you are going totally off on playing the flute.

See below for all the kinds of flutes, and take your pick.

Check the various flutes here