Servicing a Yamaha 225SII
Hi all-
I believe this model was made in the 1990s- I've had it since 2010 and was the second owner. It's been with me through middle school, high school concert band, and a university marching band. I stopped playing during the pandemic and it sat for some time (I know, I know).
I've recently joined a community band and I am getting back into playing. My flute definitely needs service after all those years and the abuse. The band does gig outdoors and marches in a few parades.
I've been quoted $650CAD on an overhaul, less if when I bring it in it doesn't actually need one, but I think it will
The flute is old, but from when Yamahas student models were still made in Japan. My understanding is the equivalent model now is a YFL222, not made in Japan, which is $900CAD new.
I can buy a used instrument privately for ~$400 CAD, but I worry I'll end up in the same boat in a year or two with it needing repair. Anything from a music store in used condition is about the same price as the overhaul. In principle, I think I'd like to have it overhauled and continuing with this instrument.
I'm asking for people with more technical flute knowledge to weigh in on their experience with having these old Yamahas fixed versus purchasing new ones. I don't know if people saying the Yamahas made outside of Japan being bad has much (if any) merit to it anymore, or if someone at my playing level would even notice.