Burkart Phelan Professional Flute — Solid Silver with 14k Gold Riser
This used Burkart Phelan flute is a fully loaded professional instrument: solid silver from headjoint to keywork, a 14k gold riser, a B foot, and every mechanism a working flutist reaches for. Burkart Phelan flutes are handmade in Massachusetts and have a long reputation with orchestral players, college faculty, and serious students.
Why does this used Burkart Phelan flute stand out?
The short answer is the combination. Plenty of used flutes have a silver body or a B foot. Fewer have a hand-built silver mechanism, a gold riser, and the full set of options, all on an instrument that has been serviced on a schedule rather than when something broke.
- Solid silver throughout. The headjoint, body, and keywork are all silver, so the whole flute resonates together.
- 14k gold riser. The riser is the short chimney under the lip plate. Gold there gives the sound a warmer, more centered core without giving up the brightness and flexibility of a silver headjoint.
- Every option a professional expects. B foot, split E, C# trill, D# roller, offset G, and open holes.
- Kept on a service schedule. Regular clean, oil, and adjust (COA) appointments mean the pads, springs, and regulation have been looked after all along.
How does it play?
A solid silver flute with a gold riser gives the player a wide range of color: a warm, full low register, a clear middle, and a top that stays focused instead of turning shrill. It responds quickly to changes in air, so dynamic contrast and tone color are in the player’s hands rather than the instrument’s. The mechanism is built to stay quiet and even under fast fingers, and regular adjustment has kept it that way.
Materials & Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maker | Burkart |
| Level | Professional |
| Condition | Pre-owned |
| Headjoint | Solid silver with 14k gold riser |
| Body | Solid silver |
| Keywork | Solid silver |
| Keys | Open hole |
| Footjoint | B foot |
| Mechanism | Offset G, split E, C# trill key, D# roller |
| Serial number / year | 04039 |
| Service history | Regular clean, oil, and adjust (COA) appointments; most recent February 2026 |
| Appraisal | $13,300, appraised May 31, 2019 |
What’s included?
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| Hard case | Yes |
| Case cover | Yes |
| Cleaning rod | Yes |
| Copy of 2019 appraisal | Yes |
Who is this flute right for?
This is a flute for someone who already knows what they need from an instrument. If you’re stepping up from an intermediate solid-silver flute, such as the Di Zhao DZ-801 we carry, this is the kind of instrument that comes next: a fully handmade mechanism, a gold riser, and a B foot as standard. If you’re a professional looking for a second instrument or a backup with the same options as your main flute, it fits that role too.
If you’re still building open-hole technique or haven’t played on a B foot, it’s worth trying both before you commit. We’re glad to let you compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is a used professional flute a good buy?
A well-maintained one often is. Handmade silver flutes hold up for decades when they’re serviced regularly, and buying used lets a player reach a professional instrument at a lower price than new.
What does “COA” mean in the service history?
Clean, oil, and adjust. It’s the routine maintenance a flute technician does to keep pads sealing, keys moving freely, and the mechanism in regulation.
Can I try the flute before buying?
Yes. Come play it at the shop in downtown Elizabethton, or call us to talk through options.
Best For
- College music majors and graduate students
- Professional and semi-professional players
- Advanced high school students preparing for auditions
- Players moving up from a solid-silver intermediate flute
- Professionals looking for a fully equipped backup instrument
A Note from August Muse
A professional flute is a big decision, and it should feel right in your hands before it goes home with you. This Burkart Phelan has been looked after with regular service its whole life, and the 14k gold riser gives it a warmth that’s easy to hear and hard to describe. If you’re auditioning flutes, bring your current one and play them side by side. We’ll make the time for it.
Available at August Muse
This used Burkart Phelan flute — solid silver, 14k gold riser, open holes, B foot, offset G, split E, C# trill key, and D# roller — is available at August Muse in downtown Elizabethton, TN. Stop by to play it, or call the shop to set up a time.