Has anyone looked into Solid Silver Flutes for scrap?

[kyles974]

With the price of silver, etc.,

I'm trying to figure out if buying a used flute (music instrument) at a "good" price and sell for scrap silver.

I'm almost thinking some don't realize the price of a flute for scrap may be worth more?

From what I understand a solid silver flute weighs 3 pounds. So if you can buy this for a couple hundred dollars, then, well = $$$$$$

Is there something I'm not seeing here?

 

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[silversaddle1]

Yeah, how you gonna know it's solid silver?

 

[sniffer]

even if you know it's silver, 925, at 3 lbs. and 200 dollars at current market price, you would lose your investment real quick and then some

 

[silversaddle1]

even if you know it's silver, 925, at 3 lbs. and 200 dollars at current market price, you would lose your investment real quick and then some

You do know that scrap sterling is about $498.00 per pound right now.

 

[sniffer]

whoops my bad, I was thinking price per pound. I feel pretty dumb right about now

 

[FC-Treasure]

Is there something I'm not seeing here?

Cool Idea, I had fun researching it a bit just now and it caused me to swap from a lurker to actually having a forum account. I love this website, BTW...

So, this guy actually weighed the flute prior to listing it on eBay. He came up with only 14.4 oz
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gemeinhardt...300?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e8e4b934

Then, although the body is solid sterling, the mechanisms aren't. So you have to figure out what the weight would be after the plated mechanisms are removed. This page was interesting because it broke down the components by model number, so you could see what was silver plate vs solid silver. (it varied by model number)
http://www.flutes4sale.com/gemeinhardtflutes.html

I think your idea would work, but you would have to pay very little for it (broken?) and really know your model numbers. Many ebay sellers say "solid silver" but its just the head section.

 

[chukers]

funny this thread was posted... I was asking about silver flutes not long ago I found part of one and I need to know how can you tell its silver or not...

There are no markings... soo I don't know... its black because it was in the water...
Chukers

 

[Tuberale]

Chukers: maybe by using a silver test kit? You'd probably have to file a grove into the metal using a file to get an accurate test.

I'm interested in this entire thread, as well as checking for other instruments as well. Some of the larger brass instruments were supposed to be nickel-silver, but haven't been able to determine the actual silver content of the instruments.

 

[cyberdan]

From what I understand a solid silver flute weighs 3 pounds.

My daughter has a flute and i doubt that it weighs that much. 3 pounds is a lot of weight for some kid to hold up in the air and play and march (if in marching band) I would guess only 6-8 ounces.

She was terrible on the flute, so we put it away and bought a 500 pound piano. That she was great on. In high school she was in the jazz band and played on main street at Disneyland a few times. (OK, I know. Stop braggin )

 

[boogeyman]

funny this thread was posted... I was asking about silver flutes not long ago I found part of one and I need to know how can you tell its silver or not...

There are no markings... soo I don't know... its black because it was in the water...
Chukers

Take a pair of needle nose pliers & crack one end. You should be able to see with a loupe or magnifying glass if there is brass in it (plated) or solid. If you can't find a silver test kit, drop in to your local pawn shop. Let them test it, give you the low end rip off price then tell them you need to think about it & head on home with your new found knowledge.