Coati, you are the first flautist I have talked to outside of a major orchestra who owns a Gemeinhardt.
Well, make that the second. My daugther has a concert model in silver. Have to look though, I don't remember what model it is. What I do remember was the look of pain in the local band directors eyes when we asked him where we could get it corked to make it suitable as a beginner flute when she got started a few years ago.
Oh, and I remember what that damned thing set me back. Jesus good instuments are pricey!
not many peeps besides concert flautists own gemeinhardts up in this area. they're damn expensive but well worth it. Mine alone is worth about 6K or so, mainly because it was a custom made flute. Thank god my parents got it for me.. it was a combination birthday gift and congrats gift for making allstate my first year in highschool. My piano was a sweet 16 birthday gift from my mom.
Most beginner flute players tend to gear towards the Yamaha, because it's so beginner friendly, and only costs about 500 bucks for a basic flute. Has your daughter moved on to piccolo yet?
I play the same Washburn acoustic with a knot in the wood of the neck that i've had since I was about 13, I love it.
I really want to get a drum kit though.. I play drums at a friends place once in a while and I think i have more natural talent for it than I do guitar, although I do love playing guitar and writing songs.
Drums are pretty damn fun, albeit frustrating for the beginner. If I had a sound-proof room/garage, I would definately buy a kit. A friend of mine gave me a few lessons a way back, but has moved down to Torrance, and that drive is kind of a bitch just to play drums.
Maybe someday... for now, I am getting my chops back on the guitar and am constantly amazed at how much my fingers remember--fuckin eerie.