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EnglishWhere to Buy a Spirit of the Woods Flute Now That the Maker Has Retired
Updated
Spirit of the Woods Flutes is no longer selling new instruments. The maker's own site states: "Unfortunately, I've retired and I'm no longer making flutes." That means there is no official store, no waiting list, and no new stock to order. If you want one of these flutes today, your only realistic path is the secondhand market — buying from a current owner who decides to sell.
What this means for buyers
- No new flutes are being produced. The workshop has closed to new orders.
- No official direct sales channel exists. You cannot buy from the maker.
- Every available flute is a used instrument that someone already owns and chooses to resell.
- Availability is unpredictable. It depends entirely on individual owners listing their flutes, so supply can be zero for long stretches.
Where to look
Because there is no official source, you're searching for private resales. Common places these instruments surface:
| Channel | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Reverb | Musical instrument marketplace; occasional listings from private sellers |
| eBay | Broad reach, but listings are sporadic and condition varies |
| Facebook groups for flute players / Native American flute communities | Owners sometimes post sales or ask about interest before listing publicly |
| Forums and maker-specific discussion boards | Word-of-mouth sales, sometimes before a public listing |
| General classifieds (Craigslist, local marketplaces) | Rare, but occasionally a local seller appears |
How to approach a purchase
- Set up saved searches and alerts on Reverb and eBay using the maker's name, so you're notified the moment a listing appears.
- Join flute communities where owners gather. Posting a "looking to buy" request is often how these instruments change hands before they hit a marketplace.
- Verify the instrument before paying: ask for clear photos of the maker's mark, the full flute, the finger holes, and any wear or cracks.
- Ask about provenance — how long the seller has owned it, whether it's been repaired, and whether it's been stored properly.
- Confirm the key and tuning if that matters for how you play, since you can't order a specific configuration anymore.
Common snags
- Long waits. You may go months without seeing a listing. Patience is part of the process.
- Prices set by scarcity. With no new supply, sellers can ask whatever the market will bear. There's no official price to compare against.
- Condition risk. Used wooden flutes can develop cracks or voicing issues. Ask direct questions and, where possible, request a video of it being played.
- No maker support. Since the maker has retired, you can't send it back for repair or tuning. Factor in the cost of a independent flute repair person if needed.
The bottom line
There is no way to buy a new Spirit of the Woods flute — the maker has retired and stopped production. Your only option is the secondhand market, where availability depends on owners choosing to sell. Set up alerts, get into the right communities, and vet each instrument carefully, because once you buy, there's no going back to the workshop for help.