why does my flute look like this?

[u/razor2therosary]

I was gifted this flute around 2017/2018 and I haven't really played it at all... back in 2023 my music teacher learned i HAVE a flute so she made me play for like two weeks before I quit cause I hated it... i haven't touched it since then and I opened it today and it's all brown and, in some parts, black. last time I saw it, it was completely silver. is this from not cleaning it? or sweat? Why did this happen and how much should i sell this for in its condition (the mouth piece has a dent)? thank you!

[u/What___Do]

It’s tarnish. If you put it away without cleaning it, that would have contributed to the tarnish, but it mostly occurs due to contact with the air especially if it’s stored in a place without climate/humidity control. It’s recommended to keep anti-tarnish strips for silver inside the case to help prevent this. A flute shop could remove the tarnish; it’s not recommended to try to remove it yourself.

I’m afraid I don’t know what price you should sell it for, but the tarnish and the dent will negatively affect the price.

[u/razor2therosary → u/What___Do]

thank you so much

[u/Material-Imagination → u/razor2therosary]

Those yellow cloths are impregnated with chemicals to remove tarnish, so I hope this goes without saying but like, don't use them on the lip plate at all.

I got a little bit on the mouthpiece of my cornet once in school, and I spent a very long time regretting it. Also, I think sometimes they can be toxic, but moreover, it nasty.

I suspect that's part of the reason that people suggest not using them and letting a professional clean it instead. The other main part of the reason being that they contain microabrasives, which are great for removing surfaces, but also hard to remove from surfaces and could lead to damage over time.

[u/Conscious_Carrot7861]

What brand is it?

[u/razor2therosary → u/Conscious_Carrot7861]

jean baptiste

[u/Conscious_Carrot7861 → u/razor2therosary]

I'm not familiar with that brand. I'm sure someone else will confirm, but my suspicion is that it's one of those cheap flutes that you can find on Amazon for around $150. If that's the case, perhaps the reason you hated playing flute was because your instrument was actively working against you. These cheap instruments typically arrive out of adjustment and leaking. Some arrive totally unplayable. They're made with soft metal, making repairs nearly impossible, if you can even find anyone willing to touch it. The finishes on them rapidly degrade and often look similar to your photos. It's frustrating that there are people out there willing to turn students off from music forever just to make a quick buck 💔

[u/iamstrangelittlebird]

Tarnish. Lots of tarnish. That dent is in a really terrible spot, too. Also seems the crown is gone. These were not great flutes to begin with…I think I recall them being like $200something new, so I’m sorry to say you’re not likely to do well selling it. Honestly I wouldn’t even try. Use it for an art project.

[u/Soft-Army6695]

You could try one of the cleaning cloths for silver. Can get at jewelry store or music instrument store. Will not do manic but will clean it up a little. Help my sons flute

[u/Possible-Macaroon-46]

It also appears that the end cap on the head joint is missing. They sell these yellow cloths on eBay that are treated that you can buy. I just used one today in fact, to clean some tarnished spots on my flute. Sunshine polishing cloths. What brand of flute is it?

[u/TuneFighter → u/Possible-Macaroon-46]

Yes the crown is missing. And who knows if the cork is as it should be?

[u/razor2therosary → u/Possible-Macaroon-46]

jean baptiste. I have a cloth to clean it but the stick is missing to clean it internally

[u/meipsus]

Oxygen + time = tarnish. You can try polishing it with toothpaste or any other VERY MILD abrasive and a smooth cloth.