"He was also privileged to spend some time working with the great Pipe and Flute maker, Dave Williams, whose help and advice has been invaluable."
If true, and I am not doubting it, but depending on time and involvement ~ that is good. The late Dave Williams was a superb craftsman. I would suggest, that if you can, visit the man to view and try some of his instruments.
I remember somone on C&F getting one of his Flutes and giving it a good review. Dave Williams' instruments are very nice, I tried an 8 key Rudall by him once that was to die for and many pro musicians use his intrument, Michael McGoldrick uses pipes by him.
I have a Watson 6 keyed flute ordered, so I am voting with my wallet. A flute player I know on another forum with a lifetime's experience, and the ability to acquire flutes by all the most-respected modern and antique makers has taken to selling his collection as a way to raise money. He's sold in the last year for so flutes by Wilkes, Hamilton, Murray, Grinter, Wylde, with and without keys. So he has had to make, and continues to make some very tough decisions. I wrote to him to ask what flutes he was keeping. He replied that the last flute to go would be an Olwell. Surprisingly to me, he said that he would not be letting go his new Glenn Watson any time soon. Now, he's one person, with his own opinions, and your opinions may vary. He might be mostly considering how much money he can raise. However, he still plays regularly, so it suggests to me that Watsons are in very good company, and thus worth serious consideration, or trying to find one to play so you can listen for yourself.
A friend of mine tried one for a few days and found the tone dry compared to his favourite Rudall copy (by Jon C, aka Cochran flutes). I asked the chap how the Watson compared to Murrays, another flute that favours a dry tone, and he replied that the Watson was better than the 4-5 Murrays (!) he had owned.
Glenn himself refused to describe the sound of his flutes, saying that it mostly depended on the player, but that many people commented on the dark sound and volume of his flutes.
Hi Marecki!
I'd recommend visiting Glenn in his workshop in Galway and trying his flutes - that's what I did in November. Better than any review, you'll be sure what you get and if it suits you. Now that you're so close it shouldn't be very difficult.
I was especially impressed by his Eb Flute. It just sings itself. Glenn is very kind, nice to deal with and can be easily reached by e-mail, unlike some other makers whose names I won't mention ;)
"Online translation from Poltran.com:
I have ordered one. It will come at the end of march, you will obtain it review. "
I have been exposed!
Yes Marecki, visit Glenn yourself. He's just 3.5 hours away from you. A very nice and down-to-earth chap, answers all e-mails quickly, has a reputation of keeping to promised time schedules, unlike some other makers whose names Barfly won't mention.
And try out his Eb flute, I second Barfly's opinion - it's a real wonder.
I've played for some time a friend's six-keyed by Watson. Brilliant craft, tuning and volume. Easy to be played. I've always found it very close to my Murray, less reedy tone and more volume perhaps.
Glenn is quite an accesible man, he takes a real interest in player's needs and the price is still pretty good compared to many other makers.
However, I feel myself moved to add that my whole ordering, waiting and delivery process with a maker that I won't mention (as Barfly and Janek) was entirely positive, smooth, friendly and absolutely in time.
Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
Has anyone of you heared of Watson flutes?
www.watsonflutes.com
Do you recommend them?
# Posted on February 25th 2007 by Mark P.
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
Ja zamówiłem jeden. Przyjdzie w końcu marca, to dostaniesz recenzję.
Pozdro
J
# Posted on February 25th 2007 by EastPole
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
http://www.watsonflutes.com/
# Posted on February 25th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
"He was also privileged to spend some time working with the great Pipe and Flute maker, Dave Williams, whose help and advice has been invaluable."
If true, and I am not doubting it, but depending on time and involvement ~ that is good. The late Dave Williams was a superb craftsman. I would suggest, that if you can, visit the man to view and try some of his instruments.
# Posted on February 25th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
I remember somone on C&F getting one of his Flutes and giving it a good review. Dave Williams' instruments are very nice, I tried an 8 key Rudall by him once that was to die for and many pro musicians use his intrument, Michael McGoldrick uses pipes by him.
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by Unseen122
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
I have a Watson 6 keyed flute ordered, so I am voting with my wallet. A flute player I know on another forum with a lifetime's experience, and the ability to acquire flutes by all the most-respected modern and antique makers has taken to selling his collection as a way to raise money. He's sold in the last year for so flutes by Wilkes, Hamilton, Murray, Grinter, Wylde, with and without keys. So he has had to make, and continues to make some very tough decisions. I wrote to him to ask what flutes he was keeping. He replied that the last flute to go would be an Olwell. Surprisingly to me, he said that he would not be letting go his new Glenn Watson any time soon. Now, he's one person, with his own opinions, and your opinions may vary. He might be mostly considering how much money he can raise. However, he still plays regularly, so it suggests to me that Watsons are in very good company, and thus worth serious consideration, or trying to find one to play so you can listen for yourself.
A friend of mine tried one for a few days and found the tone dry compared to his favourite Rudall copy (by Jon C, aka Cochran flutes). I asked the chap how the Watson compared to Murrays, another flute that favours a dry tone, and he replied that the Watson was better than the 4-5 Murrays (!) he had owned.
Glenn himself refused to describe the sound of his flutes, saying that it mostly depended on the player, but that many people commented on the dark sound and volume of his flutes.
Hugh
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by flutefry
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
> Ja zamówiłem jeden. Przyjdzie w końcu marca, to dostaniesz recenzję
Online translation from Poltran.com:
I have ordered one. It will come at the end of march, you will obtain it review.
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by MTGuru
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
I've played a keyless Glenn Watson a few times and it has a great response and a lovely tone. I felt very comfortable playing it (I've small hands).
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by flauta dolce
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
Hi Marecki!
I'd recommend visiting Glenn in his workshop in Galway and trying his flutes - that's what I did in November. Better than any review, you'll be sure what you get and if it suits you. Now that you're so close it shouldn't be very difficult.
I was especially impressed by his Eb Flute. It just sings itself. Glenn is very kind, nice to deal with and can be easily reached by e-mail, unlike some other makers whose names I won't mention ;)
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by Barfly
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
"Online translation from Poltran.com:
I have ordered one. It will come at the end of march, you will obtain it review. "
I have been exposed!
Yes Marecki, visit Glenn yourself. He's just 3.5 hours away from you. A very nice and down-to-earth chap, answers all e-mails quickly, has a reputation of keeping to promised time schedules, unlike some other makers whose names Barfly won't mention.
And try out his Eb flute, I second Barfly's opinion - it's a real wonder.
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by EastPole
Re: Anyone heared of Watson flutes?
I've played for some time a friend's six-keyed by Watson. Brilliant craft, tuning and volume. Easy to be played. I've always found it very close to my Murray, less reedy tone and more volume perhaps.
Glenn is quite an accesible man, he takes a real interest in player's needs and the price is still pretty good compared to many other makers.
However, I feel myself moved to add that my whole ordering, waiting and delivery process with a maker that I won't mention (as Barfly and Janek) was entirely positive, smooth, friendly and absolutely in time.
Rgds
# Posted on February 26th 2007 by sylvester