Now I might have enough money (I think) to buy a wooden flute, but I'm scared of not being 100% happy with it after waiting months. Do flute makers usually have flutes in stock that I could try (going there of course, I might be in Ireland in the future) before buying it? Or maybe... stores that sell used flutes that I can try... any suggestions?
Often people at sessions are willing to let others try their flutes. I am assuming you already play? This way you'll get an opportunity to try a variety of instruments from different makers.
Yeah the only problem is I don't have access to any session.. until I leave this place. But maybe not all the flutes from the same maker are exactly the same, maybe I pay and wait a lot and then I get a bad one.... could that happen?
I'm thinking the best option would be buying a used flute at a store getting to try it first. Do you know any?
lol hmm ok Will, then scared of hating it a bit.
My budget.. I don't know.. let's say... €1k... more or less... better less... even if it's used I don't mind as long as I can try it and it sounds good. Keyed or keyless? hmm... I guess keyed but depends on the price, I think keyed ones are much more expensive, right? Large or small bore... no idea... what's the difference? Thanks.
At under 1k Euro you're better off going keyless. But you can find some great flutes in that range, including top flutes by Hammy Hamilton, Sam Murray, Eamonn Cotter, Glenn Watson, Martin Doyle, and Marcus Hernon (to start with just some makers in Ireland).
Bear in mind that used flutes often sell for more than new from the maker because there's no waiting time.
Yes there are differences from one flute to the next from the same maker, but if you buy from a top maker (any of those listed above), the quality will be very high. The good makers never let a "bad" flute go out the door.
Also, any flute by one of the big-name makers will hold its value. It's not unusual for fluters to buy and sell half a dozen or more (20, 30, more) flutes in their journey to find "the one" that best suits them. This can take years because you'll want to spend 3 to 6 months with any truly good flute before you decide whether or not it's a good fit for you.
Some other good options for you in Europe include Stephane Morvan in France and Tom Aebi in Switzerland.
Oh, large bore (so-called Pratten style) flutes tend to be louder than smaller bore (so-called Ruddall style), but smaller bore flutes can be more responsive and easier to fill.
Of course, a great flute player can get volume and responsiveness out of any decent flute.
Try and get to one of the big folk festivals, there's always both sessions where you can meet and talk to other flute players, and also stalls of makers and shops. Of course the best guys just sit at home making them, but you might find one at a stall that just suits you right, and you'll have had a whole weekend of entertainment too.
a 5 keyed D flute from gilles le hart in france will cost you 1050 or little more, i think, and only a month waiting list. im ordering another one in the morning.
I wouldn't put too much stock in the whole Pratten=loud, Rudall=less loud theory. The overtones are different, so the player may perceive a volume difference, but Rudalls often project better.
Buying blind isn't great, but if you get a flute by a good maker, you'll have the tool to make good music. The rest is up to the player!
A new wooden flute is just like a new girlfriend. Whatever you get, it will take you a while to get used to it. You'll never be 100% happy with it from the beginning. So be patient.
I got my Le Hart 18 months ago from Irishflutestore.com.
S Doherty posts from Le Hart direct from France at around 1050 Euros, that is good value..note same S Doherty just won the all Ireland playing a Le Hart. A nice addie..lol
here in san diego theres a friend of mine who has lots of flutes and im sure he would let u 'try before you buy'.
He has makes such as wilkes, murray, grinter, mcgee, olwell, watson, abi, casey burns, dixon among others.
Quite a collection im sure you'll agree, now you know why im friends with him!!
I'd look into a flute by Copley & Boegli here in the U.S. They're in Ohio and reasonably priced, very attractive if you're abroad with the declining value of the dollar. They make outstanding flutes.
Trying a flute before buying it
Trying a flute before buying it
Now I might have enough money (I think) to buy a wooden flute, but I'm scared of not being 100% happy with it after waiting months. Do flute makers usually have flutes in stock that I could try (going there of course, I might be in Ireland in the future) before buying it? Or maybe... stores that sell used flutes that I can try... any suggestions?
# Posted on September 17th 2008 by Pere
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
LOL, no one is ever 100 % happy with a wooden flute!
What's your budget? Keyed or keyless? Preference for large or small bore?
# Posted on September 17th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
Often people at sessions are willing to let others try their flutes. I am assuming you already play? This way you'll get an opportunity to try a variety of instruments from different makers.
Arbo
# Posted on September 17th 2008 by Imnotirish
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
Yeah the only problem is I don't have access to any session.. until I leave this place. But maybe not all the flutes from the same maker are exactly the same, maybe I pay and wait a lot and then I get a bad one.... could that happen?
I'm thinking the best option would be buying a used flute at a store getting to try it first. Do you know any?
lol hmm ok Will, then scared of hating it a bit.
My budget.. I don't know.. let's say... €1k... more or less... better less... even if it's used I don't mind as long as I can try it and it sounds good. Keyed or keyless? hmm... I guess keyed but depends on the price, I think keyed ones are much more expensive, right? Large or small bore... no idea... what's the difference? Thanks.
# Posted on September 17th 2008 by Pere
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
At under 1k Euro you're better off going keyless. But you can find some great flutes in that range, including top flutes by Hammy Hamilton, Sam Murray, Eamonn Cotter, Glenn Watson, Martin Doyle, and Marcus Hernon (to start with just some makers in Ireland).
Bear in mind that used flutes often sell for more than new from the maker because there's no waiting time.
Yes there are differences from one flute to the next from the same maker, but if you buy from a top maker (any of those listed above), the quality will be very high. The good makers never let a "bad" flute go out the door.
Also, any flute by one of the big-name makers will hold its value. It's not unusual for fluters to buy and sell half a dozen or more (20, 30, more) flutes in their journey to find "the one" that best suits them. This can take years because you'll want to spend 3 to 6 months with any truly good flute before you decide whether or not it's a good fit for you.
Some other good options for you in Europe include Stephane Morvan in France and Tom Aebi in Switzerland.
Check out the Flute Forum at Chiff and Fipple for frequent flutes-for-sale, and this list of flute makers (with web sites): http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=57549&sid=ab3332238ea7a3d90ba9144d80a4c158
Good luck!
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
Oh, large bore (so-called Pratten style) flutes tend to be louder than smaller bore (so-called Ruddall style), but smaller bore flutes can be more responsive and easier to fill.
Of course, a great flute player can get volume and responsiveness out of any decent flute.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
Try and get to one of the big folk festivals, there's always both sessions where you can meet and talk to other flute players, and also stalls of makers and shops. Of course the best guys just sit at home making them, but you might find one at a stall that just suits you right, and you'll have had a whole weekend of entertainment too.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
a 5 keyed D flute from gilles le hart in france will cost you 1050 or little more, i think, and only a month waiting list. im ordering another one in the morning.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by S.Doherty
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
This may be what you're looking for:
https://www.irishflutestore.com
I wouldn't put too much stock in the whole Pratten=loud, Rudall=less loud theory. The overtones are different, so the player may perceive a volume difference, but Rudalls often project better.
Buying blind isn't great, but if you get a flute by a good maker, you'll have the tool to make good music. The rest is up to the player!
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Tintin
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
A new wooden flute is just like a new girlfriend. Whatever you get, it will take you a while to get used to it. You'll never be 100% happy with it from the beginning. So be patient.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by slainte
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
I recently bought a keyless from Martin Doyle. E600, it took about 2 weeks and it's a lovely instrument.
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by maxF
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
I got my Le Hart 18 months ago from Irishflutestore.com.
S Doherty posts from Le Hart direct from France at around 1050 Euros, that is good value..note same S Doherty just won the all Ireland playing a Le Hart. A nice addie..lol
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by Dave_
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
here in san diego theres a friend of mine who has lots of flutes and im sure he would let u 'try before you buy'.
He has makes such as wilkes, murray, grinter, mcgee, olwell, watson, abi, casey burns, dixon among others.
Quite a collection im sure you'll agree, now you know why im friends with him!!
# Posted on September 18th 2008 by dennis molloy
Re: Trying a flute before buying it
I'd look into a flute by Copley & Boegli here in the U.S. They're in Ohio and reasonably priced, very attractive if you're abroad with the declining value of the dollar. They make outstanding flutes.
www.celticlands.com/page3.html
# Posted on September 24th 2008 by celtic marine