Expert: Holly - 9/19/2009

Question
Hi,

I just bought the flute for my daughter since they are giving free lessons twice a week in school.
I bought it from a friend who said they bought it new 4 years ago and was seldom used by their daughter.

I was curious about the actual age. the serial number is 6094612.
There is no space after the 60. Even adding 50 to the 60 gives me a crazy date. Can you help? or maybe I need to go take beginners math again.

Thanks,

Jack

Answer
Hey Jack,

I'd have to join you in that beginner's math class, too, because I couldn't get a realistic date for that, either, except for the clue you gave about there being no space after the 60.  I'm not an expert on Armstrong serial numbers by any shot, but I've heard that the 7-digit numbers refer to flutes made after 2000.  (I guess they realized that continuing with their prefix + 50 rule wouldn't hold up past Y2K.)

So, at the very least, the flute's not older than 9 years, and is probably about the 4-year mark your friends remember.  If you want more solid data on the flute's age, I would suggest contacting a Conn-Selmer dealer (they own Armstrong).  Here's their website so you can find a dealer close to you:

http://www.conn-selmer.com/dealerlocator/

I hope this helps!  That's fantastic about the free flute lessons at your daughter's school - I hope she enjoys playing it. :)

Let me know if you have any more questions!

~Holly~