I have played the whistle for about a year now and would like to expand my horizons to the six hole wooden flute. I own several of Ralph Sweet's whistles (a C and a D) made from his birch laminate that I am pleased with. I am considering a Sweetheart flute in D but thought I would see if anyone had an opinion or any experience. Thanks in advance.
It's been years since I've played one, but I never cared for them at all. Many, many like them, so take that under advisement. I would recommend Casey Burns over RS anytime. Maybe some would care to address which of the two they favor.
Sweethearts play nice and are easy to fill. I think they are too nice, ie too tame, no bark (or bite), not quite the volume I would like. What I'm saying, is that for me, they don't have the balls. But, as Ailin points out, many people do like them. They are grand instruments and they might be just the thing for you, they're just not my taste!
I have not played the Sweetheart flute in D.
I do have a Sweetheart (transverse) in G, made of rosewood.
Nothing tame about that one.
The type of wood though makes all the difference.
Casey makes some playable flutes when you have him on the right track. Have you played his flutes?
I have a Ralph Sweet six-key blackwood "D" Irish flute with silver keys and rings. It's a great player. It has perfect tuning and excellent volume, and it's slim and elegant. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this flute to anybody. The finish is lovely and the flute shows great care and skill in the making. At $2,600 it competes favorably with flutes costing much more.
Wood doesn't make that much difference. Certainly not as much as the player.
I've been playing for twenty years.
I have a Sweetheart C flute. It does what I need it to, but I've always thought it's a little wussy. Same with the Sweetheart D flute I borrowed from a friend one time. I do prefer my Burns' in D and Bb.
Thanks to all who took the time to reply. My experience with this forum has all been very positive and I appreciate that it is here. I'll follow the advice I've received here and look into the Burns', as well as the Sweet.
Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
I have played the whistle for about a year now and would like to expand my horizons to the six hole wooden flute. I own several of Ralph Sweet's whistles (a C and a D) made from his birch laminate that I am pleased with. I am considering a Sweetheart flute in D but thought I would see if anyone had an opinion or any experience. Thanks in advance.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by whistler gan ainm
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
It's been years since I've played one, but I never cared for them at all. Many, many like them, so take that under advisement. I would recommend Casey Burns over RS anytime. Maybe some would care to address which of the two they favor.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Ailin
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
Sweethearts play nice and are easy to fill. I think they are too nice, ie too tame, no bark (or bite), not quite the volume I would like. What I'm saying, is that for me, they don't have the balls. But, as Ailin points out, many people do like them. They are grand instruments and they might be just the thing for you, they're just not my taste!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
Here is the link for the flute forum on Chiff and Fipple;
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=6a85f90b06a3cc2f0952f43d6a91f18c
which you might find interesting.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
I have a sweetheart fife and am impressed with how nice it is. I also have a Casey Burns Folk Flute. It's so beautiful. I love it.
Like the Sweetheart flutes (that I've seen anyway), the Folk Flute isn't tunable. I can see now this will be a problem for session playing.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by sbhikes
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
Sweetheart Flutes are pretty nice, but I think one is better off with a Flute from Casey Burns the FF is in the same price range.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Why Bother?
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
I have not played the Sweetheart flute in D.
I do have a Sweetheart (transverse) in G, made of rosewood.
Nothing tame about that one.
The type of wood though makes all the difference.
Casey makes some playable flutes when you have him on the right track. Have you played his flutes?
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Random_notes
Six-key blackwood with silver keys and rings.
I have a Ralph Sweet six-key blackwood "D" Irish flute with silver keys and rings. It's a great player. It has perfect tuning and excellent volume, and it's slim and elegant. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this flute to anybody. The finish is lovely and the flute shows great care and skill in the making. At $2,600 it competes favorably with flutes costing much more.
Wood doesn't make that much difference. Certainly not as much as the player.
I've been playing for twenty years.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by cocus
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
I always defer to those with experience.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Random_notes
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
I have a Sweetheart C flute. It does what I need it to, but I've always thought it's a little wussy. Same with the Sweetheart D flute I borrowed from a friend one time. I do prefer my Burns' in D and Bb.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Experience With Sweetheart Flutes
Thanks to all who took the time to reply. My experience with this forum has all been very positive and I appreciate that it is here. I'll follow the advice I've received here and look into the Burns', as well as the Sweet.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by whistler gan ainm