That will be my second flute in life after dixon 2-piece (which is not too good) and the middle step to a Really Good Expensive Flute).
I have listened to the given sound samples either, but i really don't know!))) non of them seem to be perfect, but it depends on who is playing i think.
So i really need an advice from people who has experienced those flutes.
Which one to choose?
Or maybe you know a better option to suggest?
Any help highly appreciated.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Both the Copley and Boegli are recommendable, and you can't go wrong with either. The Forbes is a large bore, large holed flute with a great lower octave, is free-blowing, and responsive. Beginners might think it takes more to "fill", and need a little longer to find the second octave. If you have small fingers and play with your tips, the holes might seem rather large. The Copley has a slightly smaller bore and finger holes, also has a solid tone, a forgiving embouchure, and will keep you going for a long time.
Hugh, thank you very much. I think that after Dixon's 2-piece flute i will not find those holes on Forbes too large, i think i prefer deep sound rather than easy playing and small sound.. but of course it's hard to say with no opportunity to try. From that side i am more to the option i can't go wrong with..
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I've an M&E Keyless in Polymer that I would let go for $425.00 US plus shipping (they currently seem to be around $595 new) if we can work shipping out. Apparently you are in Russia, so I don't know about shipping. In excellent condition. I'm just clearing out some things I am not playing.
You (or anyone else interested can contact me at
cboody at mchsi dot com
I hope I'm not breaking a rule by mentioning this here.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Hi. Most of the above sound like good flutes. I recently purchased a Rob Forbes for my daughter and she is loving the flute after moving from the whistle. I live in Australia and Rob was great to deal with via email. There was a two month waiting list and delivered on time. The Forbes has a great sound.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
RE M&E price: Price from irishflutestore.com in US is now 525, but just dropped. I suspect the exchange rate is bouncing and perhaps that price includes shipping though I doubt it.. So, I'm probably a bit high on what I wanted for the M&E. If you're interested make me an offer.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Reviol 'cast bore' flutes are $NZ600. They do not have a C foot
and you need a piper's grip for the right hand. The embouchere
is a rounded rectangle - like a modern Boehm flute. The sound
is big and warm. It takes some work to get an Irishy-sounding
low register out of it. You can send it back and get it upgraded
all the way to 8 keys. I'm deciding now whether or not to do that
with mine; I think it's good deal.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I've owned all three and can honestly say you cannot go wrong with these any of these three flutes. My advice is to just pick one, perhaps the one you with the shortist wait time, and get to work practicing.
The only reason to choose one over the other is because you already have some sense of whether you like the sound and playability of a Pratten vs. Rudall (or vice versa). The Forbes is the most Pratteny, the M&E is a Rudall design, and the Copley is a hybrid somewhere between the two.
Also, Forbes and Copley are great people to deal with. (I bought my M&E used, so I cannot speak to how they are to deal with.)
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
FWIW, Michael Cronnolly (the M in M&E..the E is for his wife Evelyn) is a great guy to deal with, too. For some reason, I think all flute makers are required to be nice folks.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Go for Copley delrin.
Copley - because it's a good instrument.
Delrin - because you are in Moscow, Russia.
I bought a wooden flute in Ireland (6-key, blackwood) and love it to bits, but the low humidity and temperature swings in Poland drive me mad - I ned to keep it in airtight container with proper humidifier in it and cannot keep it outside the box for too long in the summer (too hot and dry) nor winter (too hot and dry, central heating), I have to pick my place and time to play according to weather conditions. Even when oiled, it shrinks and expands very fast, which of course is bad to the instrument, not to mention that it's not really fun when you start to play and the rings fall off.
So in order to save you trouble, go for delrin. Once you want to upgrade to a keyed and high-class one, you can try and go for wood, but in our part of the world it might be a big headache.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I'd say you're on the right track with the three you've narrowed it to.
I've played an older M&E (not the current Rudall and Rose model), which I liked less than the Forbes or the Copley. I don't have any experience with the current model. Many people like it.
Between the Forbes and the Copley, the Forbes is more free-blowing and (if memory serves) has some slightly larger finger holes. The Copley has a bit more resistance and is perhaps a bit sweeter in the second octave.
Both are capable of great tone and volume (if that's what you're after). At this point, you're looking at two very good flutes that will be way better than the one you have, and either will serve you well for years and years to come.
You can find Copley flutes (and others) here, with no wait: http://www.irishflutestore.com
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I have yet to play a Delrin flute I really liked. Have a look at the Fred Rose flutes. The one I played was quite good for the price. http://www.fredrose.co.uk/
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
East Pole
JA jestem zadowolone inne Bieguny grają Irlandzki Muzyka! Moja Polska matka stale *teases* ja o tym.
Now that I've fully used what little Polish I remember from Polish School in Roseland, how do you humidify your instrument?
I am in Chicago (Same winter conditions as Poland, but much more humid in the summer) and am looking at an Irish flute for an adult daughter interested in returning to the Music. Since She has steam heat, as do we, the winter deterioration of wood is very serious.
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I quite like the seery. I owned one for a couple of years. I sold it and a 4 keyed ralph sweet flute so I could buy a 6 key M&E (keys on the Seery were more than I could afford).
Tom Doorley played one for quite a few years, and sounded great on the first few Danu albums. Here is a link to a free Seery CD (3 different players playing a seery): http://tradschool.com/en/flutes_traversieres_seery.html
Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Hello,
i was consideringon which flute to choose by the price around 400 dollars and thats what i have found -
(all models are keyless D)
1) Sweetheart Resonans Flute in rosewood $375
http://www.sweetheartflute.com/irishflutes.html
2) Delrin Polymer Flutes (Keyless) by Copley and Boegli $440
http://www.copleyflutes.com/catalog.html
3) Rob Forbes Tunable keyless Pratten-style flute in Delrin, with metal rings, key of D $395
http://www.forbesflutes.com/ordering.html
That will be my second flute in life after dixon 2-piece (which is not too good) and the middle step to a Really Good Expensive Flute).
I have listened to the given sound samples either, but i really don't know!))) non of them seem to be perfect, but it depends on who is playing i think.
So i really need an advice from people who has experienced those flutes.
Which one to choose?
Or maybe you know a better option to suggest?
Any help highly appreciated.
b_jean
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Both the Copley and Boegli are recommendable, and you can't go wrong with either. The Forbes is a large bore, large holed flute with a great lower octave, is free-blowing, and responsive. Beginners might think it takes more to "fill", and need a little longer to find the second octave. If you have small fingers and play with your tips, the holes might seem rather large. The Copley has a slightly smaller bore and finger holes, also has a solid tone, a forgiving embouchure, and will keep you going for a long time.
Hugh
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by flutefry
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I woud also like to add M & E Keyless Polymer D for €340.00 to a comparison:
http://www.irishflutes.net/mef/Product_Descriptions.htm
---
Hugh, thank you very much. I think that after Dixon's 2-piece flute i will not find those holes on Forbes too large, i think i prefer deep sound rather than easy playing and small sound.. but of course it's hard to say with no opportunity to try. From that side i am more to the option i can't go wrong with..
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
go for the rosewood sweetheart flute. they're lovely flutes
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by FastEddie
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I'd choose Copley or Forbes. They're both very good. Neither have a small sound.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by mcswiss
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I've an M&E Keyless in Polymer that I would let go for $425.00 US plus shipping (they currently seem to be around $595 new) if we can work shipping out. Apparently you are in Russia, so I don't know about shipping. In excellent condition. I'm just clearing out some things I am not playing.
You (or anyone else interested can contact me at
cboody at mchsi dot com
I hope I'm not breaking a rule by mentioning this here.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by cboody
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
hi cboody,
the new polymer flute of M&E costs 340€ or 490 $
according to their site - http://www.irishflutes.co.uk/Order.html
-
Tintin, FastEddie - thank's for your advice
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Hi. Most of the above sound like good flutes. I recently purchased a Rob Forbes for my daughter and she is loving the flute after moving from the whistle. I live in Australia and Rob was great to deal with via email. There was a two month waiting list and delivered on time. The Forbes has a great sound.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by bigyabby
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
My vote is for a Copley delrin - excellent and very good value - it's unfortunate that I did not discover this flute sooner
Chuck
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Cquick
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
thanks to everyone)
Alright, so between the Copley-Boegli delrin, Rob Forbes delrin and M&E polymer - any recommendations?
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I love my M&E. The new polymer models are ebonite, and I think it's a wonderful material...great sound and zero maintenance.
Eric
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Jayhawk
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I like the M&E Rudall style model.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Michael Eskin
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
RE M&E price: Price from irishflutestore.com in US is now 525, but just dropped. I suspect the exchange rate is bouncing and perhaps that price includes shipping though I doubt it.. So, I'm probably a bit high on what I wanted for the M&E. If you're interested make me an offer.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by cboody
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Reviol 'cast bore' flutes are $NZ600. They do not have a C foot
and you need a piper's grip for the right hand. The embouchere
is a rounded rectangle - like a modern Boehm flute. The sound
is big and warm. It takes some work to get an Irishy-sounding
low register out of it. You can send it back and get it upgraded
all the way to 8 keys. I'm deciding now whether or not to do that
with mine; I think it's good deal.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Hup
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I've owned all three and can honestly say you cannot go wrong with these any of these three flutes. My advice is to just pick one, perhaps the one you with the shortist wait time, and get to work practicing.
The only reason to choose one over the other is because you already have some sense of whether you like the sound and playability of a Pratten vs. Rudall (or vice versa). The Forbes is the most Pratteny, the M&E is a Rudall design, and the Copley is a hybrid somewhere between the two.
Also, Forbes and Copley are great people to deal with. (I bought my M&E used, so I cannot speak to how they are to deal with.)
Good luck.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by crickett
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Wow. Sorry for all the typos in the previous post. I hope get the general idea.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by crickett
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
ARghh
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by crickett
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Out of interest, what was the reason for excluding the Burns folk flute from the list?
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Crackpot,
their site is not working at the moment, so i don't know anyhing about Casey Burnes. But i heard that they are reccomendble for the beginners also.
--
Thaks to everybody - really helpful!
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
FWIW, Michael Cronnolly (the M in M&E..the E is for his wife Evelyn) is a great guy to deal with, too. For some reason, I think all flute makers are required to be nice folks.
Eric
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Jayhawk
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Go for Copley delrin.
Copley - because it's a good instrument.
Delrin - because you are in Moscow, Russia.
I bought a wooden flute in Ireland (6-key, blackwood) and love it to bits, but the low humidity and temperature swings in Poland drive me mad - I ned to keep it in airtight container with proper humidifier in it and cannot keep it outside the box for too long in the summer (too hot and dry) nor winter (too hot and dry, central heating), I have to pick my place and time to play according to weather conditions. Even when oiled, it shrinks and expands very fast, which of course is bad to the instrument, not to mention that it's not really fun when you start to play and the rings fall off.
So in order to save you trouble, go for delrin. Once you want to upgrade to a keyed and high-class one, you can try and go for wood, but in our part of the world it might be a big headache.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Janek
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
[...]I *need* to keep it...[...]
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by Janek
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
EastPole, thank you!)
That's what i think too.
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I'd say you're on the right track with the three you've narrowed it to.
I've played an older M&E (not the current Rudall and Rose model), which I liked less than the Forbes or the Copley. I don't have any experience with the current model. Many people like it.
Between the Forbes and the Copley, the Forbes is more free-blowing and (if memory serves) has some slightly larger finger holes. The Copley has a bit more resistance and is perhaps a bit sweeter in the second octave.
Both are capable of great tone and volume (if that's what you're after). At this point, you're looking at two very good flutes that will be way better than the one you have, and either will serve you well for years and years to come.
You can find Copley flutes (and others) here, with no wait: http://www.irishflutestore.com
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by mcswiss
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I have yet to play a Delrin flute I really liked. Have a look at the Fred Rose flutes. The one I played was quite good for the price.
http://www.fredrose.co.uk/
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by ElaineT
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Elaine, which Delrins' have you tried?
# Posted on January 6th 2010 by Ben Steen
~
I am planning on ordering a Forbes in February.
Cheers!
# Posted on January 6th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
East Pole
JA jestem zadowolone inne Bieguny grają Irlandzki Muzyka! Moja Polska matka stale *teases* ja o tym.
Now that I've fully used what little Polish I remember from Polish School in Roseland, how do you humidify your instrument?
I am in Chicago (Same winter conditions as Poland, but much more humid in the summer) and am looking at an Irish flute for an adult daughter interested in returning to the Music. Since She has steam heat, as do we, the winter deterioration of wood is very serious.
maybe a new post here....
# Posted on January 6th 2010 by zippydw
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Thanks to everyone here!
--
Ok, can anyone say something good about Seery? ;)
(current news: Seery as soon as possible vs. Copley&Boegli+2-3 month waiting.) What's your opinion?
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
I quite like the seery. I owned one for a couple of years. I sold it and a 4 keyed ralph sweet flute so I could buy a 6 key M&E (keys on the Seery were more than I could afford).
Tom Doorley played one for quite a few years, and sounded great on the first few Danu albums. Here is a link to a free Seery CD (3 different players playing a seery): http://tradschool.com/en/flutes_traversieres_seery.html
Eric
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by Jayhawk
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Eric, thats very cool!
thanks)
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by b_jean
Re: Buying a middle-range irish flute - advice needed
Thanks to everyone again, i've made my choice and now waiting for my Seery's flute to arrive)
All the best to all of you and good luck.
# Posted on January 8th 2010 by b_jean