Price & Value of an Ancient Territories Native American Style Flute

It is easy to understand price. We have a lot of experience with price. But we usually have less experience when it comes to value.  Price is what you give up/pay for something. Value is what we get in return. The concept of value is more elusive that the concept of price.

Value is a measure of what we feel a strong attachment to. Value is what we feel positive about. You are about to bring something very meaningful and useful into your life; a Native American style flute that will be with you for years, perhaps even the rest of your life. You will hold it in your hands; you will carry it around with you. You will see it resting in front of you and waiting for your touch. Get a Native flute that you will value. You will always be glad you did.

Grayson and I are Craftsmen. We have dedicated ourselves to working with our hands to create musical instruments of lasting value. We do our very best to create a Native flute that brings integrity and positive energy into this creation and into your life. These are not hollow words. We do not go into the shop to churn out flutes and make money. We work with our heart and hands to bring something of value into the world. You are on our mind and in our thoughts as we make a flute for you.

All we ask from the person who wishes to purchase a flute from us is a living wage. We are not charging inflated prices. If you value our labor as a craftsman, you will be happy to share with us the fruits of your labor. You share with us, and we share with you. When we behave this way, the circle is complete and strong. Thank you and welcome Home.

What Determines the Price of a Native American Style Flute?

Many factors determine the price you will pay for a Native American style flute. Learning how a Native flute is made will help you understand the difference in price and what true value is.

Read more about how Ancient Territories flutes are made.

Craftsmanship, Attention to Detail and Time

When I began making Native American style flutes twenty-five years ago, I was already an accomplished wood worker. But I had a lot to learn in order to make a quality musical instrument. Over time, and with steady practice and careful listening, my craftsmanship was taken to a new level. Today, every flute that Grayson and I make reflects that devotion to personal excellence and tonal perfection.

We could save time by cutting corners and compromising our devotion to excellence. We could make a less expensive flute, but that’s simply not who we are. We make an Ancient Territories Native flute, and you will see, feel, and hear the difference.

Design and Construction Choices

A Native American style flute made in the shape of a tube can be shaped on a machine very quickly. It’s a common and almost boring shape.

Ancient Territories flutes have a more graceful profile, and the top of the barrel is more flattened. This can only be accomplished by hand work. Most people who have played one of our flutes agree that the flattened top make for a more comfortable and more dynamic playing experience. Obviously, this type of craftsmanship takes more time and adds to the price.

Mass Produced vs Handcrafted

You can reduce the amount of time it takes to make an individual flute by mechanizing the process.

Computer controlled machinery can churn out flutes in a fraction of the time it takes us to handcraft an individual instrument. Sophisticated computer-controlled machinery is like having mechanical slaves. You plug them in and program them and they spit out flutes.

These flutes can be sold for less because machines are doing most of the work. But these flutes look, feel and sound like something that has come off an assembly line.

Experience and Reputation

Lower prices can also reflect a maker who is new to flute making and attempting to establish a market presence. With a low price the person making the flute tries to gain a competitive advantage.

To sell at a significantly lower price, a maker must either:

• Work for a lower wage

• Compromise on quality

• Or both

Recently there has been a surge in Native American style flutes made in foreign countries and sold at very low prices.

There is an old saying – “you get what you pay for.”

What You Can Expect from an Ancient Territories Flute

We care deeply about every instrument that comes out of our shop. Every flute is tuned at least five times. We listen closely and take the time to make small but important adjustments. We fuss over each flute like you wouldn’t believe. What you receive is a Native flute made with patience, experience, respect for the process and respect for you.

Enjoy, John and Grayson