all flutes plus

What all flutes plus does

All Flutes Plus is a privately held specialist flute retailer founded in 1990 in London by brothers Trevor James (a flute and woodwind repairer) and Nigel James (business management). The company operates from a single physical showroom at Unit 18 The Ivories, 6 Northampton Street, London N1 2HY, complemented by an e-commerce storefront shipping worldwide. The business is narrowly verticalized around flutes and flute-family instruments — concert flutes, piccolos, alto flutes, bass flutes, contrabass flutes, baroque and early flutes, traditional flutes, recorders, plus headjoints, footjoints, accessories, and sheet music — with inventory spanning entry-level through professional and historic instruments (including rare Louis Lot, Rudall & Rose, and Eugene Albert pieces). The company also owns and markets the AFP-1 and AFP 1K Early Start own-brand beginner flutes.

The business model is multi-stream: one-time retail instrument sales (price range £162.50 to £32,500), subscription-style short-term rentals (£10-£150 per week), professional services revenue from an in-house repair workshop (Good Playing Order assessment, full servicing, full repad/overhaul) run by Mark Mee-Bishop, and transaction-fee revenue from consignment sales of pre-owned instruments (20% commission, reduced to 12% when bundled with a new purchase). Flexible payment options include an 18-month rental purchase scheme and the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS), which enables VAT-free purchases for UK students via local authority schools. An at-home approval service allows customers to trial 1-3 instruments for up to one week.

All Flutes Plus serves three primary customer segments: students (beginners through conservatoire-level), music teachers, and professional performers (orchestral players and soloists). Go-to-market is sales-led and expert-driven — staff include conservatoire-trained flautists, an emerging-artist Miyazawa flautist, and master repairers — supported by appointment-based in-store trials, the at-home approval service, and an active social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X). The company is family-owned with no external investment or institutional backing identified.

Name

all flutes plus

Legal name

All Flutes Plus

Website

https://allflutesplus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

All Flutes Plus is a London-based specialist flute retailer, founded in 1990, selling new and pre-owned flutes, components, accessories, and sheet music. It serves students, teachers, and professional performers via a London showroom, global e-commerce, in-house repairs, rentals, and consignment sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Musical Instrument Retail

NAICS

Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrument Parts, Repair & Maintenance (Luthier, Tech Services, Spares) (MPAIAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Instrument Repair, Maintenance & Luthier Services (CRALAEAF), Used & Vintage Musical Instruments Retail (CRALAEAH), Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE), Instrument Rentals & Leasing (Band/Orchestra Programs) (CRALAEAG)

Keywords

• Musical instrument retail
• Flute sales
• Woodwind accessories
• Instrument repair services
• Sheet music retail

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Musical Instrument Sales: Retail sales of new and pre-owned flutes, piccolos, alto flutes, bass flutes, contrabass flutes, headjoints, footjoints, and related accessories including sheet music and cases
2. Repair Services: In-house flute repair workshop offering three levels of service: Good Playing Order assessment, full Servicing, and Full Repad/Overhaul. Run by experienced repairer Mark Bishop.
3. Short-term Rentals: Short-term hire of Concert Flutes, Alto Flutes, and Bass Flutes. Rental rates range from £10-150 per week depending on instrument type.
4. Commission on Second-hand Sales: They sell second-hand instruments on commission basis, receiving 20% including VAT commission on sale price. Commission drops to 12% if purchasing a new instrument simultaneously.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

All Flutes Plus is a London-based specialist flute retailer that sells new and pre-owned flutes, piccolos, alto, bass, and contrabass flutes, along with headjoints, footjoints, accessories, and sheet music from brands such as Yamaha, Miyazawa, Trevor James, Sankyo, and Burkart. The company complements its retail business with in-house repair services, short-term instrument rentals, commission-based consignment sales for second-hand flutes, instrument trials (in-store and at-home), and flexible purchase schemes for students.

Product overview

All Flutes Plus is a specialist flute retailer offering a comprehensive portfolio of products organized around its core competency: flutes and related musical instruments. The main product categories include concert flutes, piccolos, alto flutes, bass flutes, and contrabass flutes across professional, intermediate, and student levels from brands like Yamaha, Miyazawa, Trevor James, Sankyo, Burkart, and Powell. The company also offers a full range of components including headjoints and footjoints for all flute types, plus accessories such as cases, cleaning supplies, and sheet music. Own-brand products include the AFP-1 Flute and AFP Early Start Flutes designed for beginners. The service offering complements the retail business with in-house repairs, short-term rentals, commission-based second-hand sales, and instrument trials. Flexible purchase options include rental purchase schemes and AIPS for UK students. The company positions itself as a complete flute centre serving students, teachers, and professional performers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Concert Flutes Full range of concert flutes covering student, intermediate, and professional models from brands including Yamaha, Miyazawa, Trevor James, Sankyo, and Burkart, aimed at flautists from beginners through advanced players.
• Piccolos Piccolos including professional models from Burkart, Bulgheroni, and Hammig, and student models from Yamaha and Trevor James.
• Alto Flutes Alto flutes from Trevor James, Sankyo, Altus, Miyazawa, Pearl, and Haynes in various configurations, for advancing and professional players.
• Bass Flutes Bass flutes from Pearl, Yamaha, Trevor James, and Jupiter for ensemble and orchestral playing.
• Contrabass Flutes Contrabass flutes including Pearl PFC-905 for advanced ensemble work.
• Baroque & Early Flutes Period-appropriate reproductions and historical flutes from Martin Wenner, Folkers & Powell, and Aulos for early music performance.
• Traditional Flutes & Whistles Traditional and folk flutes including Irish-style keyless flutes from Lejeune, Tony Millyard, and Kerry Whistles.
• Recorders, Fifes & Toots Beginner woodwind instruments including recorders from Aulos and Yamaha, fifes, and Nuvo Toot instruments.
• Historic Flutes Vintage and collectible flutes including Louis Lot, Rudall & Rose, Eugene Albert, Haynes, and George Cloos historical instruments.
• Pre-owned Instruments Second-hand flutes and piccolos sold on commission with grading from fair to as-new condition.
• Accessories Cases, maintenance supplies, cleaning tools, stands, and care products for flute maintenance.
• Sheet Music Flute sheet music including repertoire, orchestral excerpts, studies, exam material, tutor books, and music by era from Baroque to Modern.
• All Flutes Plus AFP-1 Flute Own-brand entry-level silver-plated flute with closed holes, E mechanism, and optional curved or straight headjoint for beginners, priced at approximately £162.50 GBP.
• AFP 1K Early Start Flute Own-brand beginner flute with curved headjoint and no foot joint, lowest note D, designed for young children.
• Flute Repair Service In-house flute repair workshop offering Good Playing Order assessment, full servicing, and complete repad/overhaul services for flute owners.
• Short Term Flute Rentals Weekly rental of concert flutes, alto flutes, and bass flutes for temporary use during repairs or trials, priced from £10 to £150 per week depending on instrument type.
• Commission Sales (Selling Your Flute) Selling second-hand instruments on commission with 20% fee (reduced to 12% when purchasing a new instrument simultaneously), inclusive of VAT.
• Instrument Trials In-store instrument trials by appointment in a purpose-built testing room, plus an at-home approval service allowing 1-3 instruments to be taken home for up to 1 week for a small fee covering insurance.
• Rental Purchase Scheme Flexible payment plan spreading costs for entry-level instruments over up to 18 months with option to purchase outright.
• Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) VAT-free instrument purchase programme for students purchasing through local authority schools and academies in the UK.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• New Moon Musical Instrument InsuranceminorOthersNew Moon Insurance provides instrument insurance coverage for All Flutes Plus customers. They offer cover for accidental damage, loss and theft with £0 excess. Services include worldwide cover and theft from unattended vehicles included as standard. All Flutes Plus recommends this insurer to customers sending instruments for repair and those taking instruments on trial.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Just Flutes: UK-based specialist flute retailer offering new and pre-owned flutes, piccolos, and accessories with strong educational and conservatoire focus. Most direct analogue to All Flutes Plus in terms of specialist flute-only positioning and UK customer base.
• Howarth of London: London-based specialist woodwind retailer and instrument maker serving professional musicians, conservatoires, and students across oboes, clarinets, flutes, and bassoons. Comparable specialist positioning in a similar UK music ecosystem, with broader woodwind coverage.
• Flute World: US-based specialist flute retailer offering new, pre-owned, and rental flutes from major makers alongside sheet music and accessories. Closest US analogue to All Flutes Plus's flute-only specialist retail model.
• Flutistry: US flute specialist retailer focused on new and pre-owned flutes, piccolos, and headjoints, with deep expertise and curated selection. Comparable flute-only specialist positioning serving serious students and professionals.

Broad incumbents

• Thomann: Europe's largest online musical instrument retailer offering flutes, woodwinds, and a full multi-category catalog with aggressive pricing. A broad incumbent that overlaps with All Flutes Plus on flute SKUs but competes primarily on scale and price rather than specialist depth.
• Sweetwater: Large US-based online musical instrument retailer with broad catalog including student and intermediate flute lines, supported by strong customer service and content. Overlaps with All Flutes Plus on flute retail but operates across all instrument categories.
• Woodwind & Brasswind: US-based musical instrument retailer specializing in woodwind, brass, and orchestral instruments with both online and physical presence. Overlaps on flute retail but competes across a much wider instrument portfolio.
• Sam Ash: Long-established US musical instrument retailer with multiple physical stores and a broad catalog including woodwinds. Comparable to All Flutes Plus only at the flute SKU level; much broader portfolio and price-led positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AllFlutesPlus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AllFlutesPlusOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/allflutesplusofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/allflutesplus
• TikToktiktok.com/@allflutesplus?_t=ZN-8uomZnGpXV8&_r=1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/all-flutes-plus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about all flutes plus