I'm looking to upgrade to new flute. I currently have a Tony Dixon polymer flute. I''m thinking of getting one from either a Terry McGee or Chris Wilkes but I just don't know how to decide. Can anyone give me any reasons why I should choose one over another, or if there are any other makers I should seriously consider, and if so why.
This is a tough question. I had the same dilemma about 6 months ago, I have the dixon polymer and had played it to death for about 9 months. I was advised to get a wooden flute - but how to decide? In the end, I allowed providence to intervene - once I had decided on a few makers that I knew produced good flutes (by searching here and the Chiff & Fipple flute forum) I bought the next one that came up second hand in my price range. I bought a Copley keyless, and I love it!
But given the variations in embouchure hole shape, pratten vs rudall vs modern mixture of the two, it is a difficult choice. From everything I've read I don't think you can go wrong with either of the makers you list, but I would defintely also consider Dave Copley as I've never read a bad thing about his flutes, I love mine - the workmanship is great, the flute is capable of a huge range of tonal characteristics and can produce a nice reedy bottom register. And his flutes are very good value with little or no waiting list for keyless.
1) Play as many flutes as you can. Go to a workshop and swap with as many people as possible.
2) Consider the waiting list - Wilkes is something like 2 years at the moment. McGee's in the months, or instantly if you go to the Irish Flute Store. BUT Wilkes isn;t known as perhaps the best maker for nothing. McGee has a good rep too.
3) Go to Chiff & Fipple flute forum and browse extensively!
I've still got my first flute, and it's done me for about 6 years now. I used to have a ganley flute which my dad bought for himself, but found to hard to play, so gave up. When i was serious that i wanted to play flute, we went to a friend and he made me a flute. He's not well known, but he does great flutes and people who have tried my flute say its got a brilliant tone. He's a london based flute maker which is even better, because i found that i couldnt find a flute maker in the uk, apart from him. Just look around locally, you may be able to find someone with a hidden talent!! Good luck in finding one.
Hi fluter, can you tell me a bit more about this London based flute maker? It would be useful as I live in London. You can email me direct if you like.
I've only ever played Grinters but that's because I love them! I've played McGees and most other makes and I still think Mike's flutes are the way to go. He does have quite a long waiting list though but I don't think it's 6 years and I personally think it would be worth the wait. Mike (Grinter) spends alot of time, nearly half the year, in Ireland making flutes so chances are that he wouldn't have to send it too far to get to you either.
check this out, i play one of his flutes, i'm very happy with it.
From London to Brugge is not that big a trip, so you can try different flutes, and more important, different headjoints. http://users.skynet.be/geertlejeune/
I just sold a Flute made by Geert Lejeune. I would reccommend them, I was just looking for something with more volume. They are really nice Flutes, don't know how they would compare to a McGee or a Wilkes, but they are not bad.
A used Casey Burns Boxwood Pratten which I would have sent a money order for today if Banks and Post Offices didn't have a vendetta against me (it is a long story). I had acutally had that Flute since August so I had it for a while it was a great Flute though and I will miss it.
See if you can get your hands on the Terry McGee Roving Ambassador Europe flute. It'll give you hands-on try-before-you-buy experience of his (£700?) unkeyed wooden flute and most likely blow your socks off. I tried it - unforgettable!
HI EVERY1 IVE THE MOST STUNNING BRENDAN MCMAHON ,ENNIS,FLUTE FOR SALE.HAND MADE BY HIMSELF AND ALSO HAS SILVER KEYS FITTED BY HIMSELF PERSONALLY.SO IF ANY1 IS INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT ME THANK YOU,ESTHER
buying a flute
buying a flute
I'm looking to upgrade to new flute. I currently have a Tony Dixon polymer flute. I''m thinking of getting one from either a Terry McGee or Chris Wilkes but I just don't know how to decide. Can anyone give me any reasons why I should choose one over another, or if there are any other makers I should seriously consider, and if so why.
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by peterk2
Re: buying a flute
This is a tough question. I had the same dilemma about 6 months ago, I have the dixon polymer and had played it to death for about 9 months. I was advised to get a wooden flute - but how to decide? In the end, I allowed providence to intervene - once I had decided on a few makers that I knew produced good flutes (by searching here and the Chiff & Fipple flute forum) I bought the next one that came up second hand in my price range. I bought a Copley keyless, and I love it!
But given the variations in embouchure hole shape, pratten vs rudall vs modern mixture of the two, it is a difficult choice. From everything I've read I don't think you can go wrong with either of the makers you list, but I would defintely also consider Dave Copley as I've never read a bad thing about his flutes, I love mine - the workmanship is great, the flute is capable of a huge range of tonal characteristics and can produce a nice reedy bottom register. And his flutes are very good value with little or no waiting list for keyless.
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by NeilC
Re: buying a flute
1) Play as many flutes as you can. Go to a workshop and swap with as many people as possible.
2) Consider the waiting list - Wilkes is something like 2 years at the moment. McGee's in the months, or instantly if you go to the Irish Flute Store. BUT Wilkes isn;t known as perhaps the best maker for nothing. McGee has a good rep too.
3) Go to Chiff & Fipple flute forum and browse extensively!
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by wormdiet
Re: buying a flute
I've still got my first flute, and it's done me for about 6 years now. I used to have a ganley flute which my dad bought for himself, but found to hard to play, so gave up. When i was serious that i wanted to play flute, we went to a friend and he made me a flute. He's not well known, but he does great flutes and people who have tried my flute say its got a brilliant tone. He's a london based flute maker which is even better, because i found that i couldnt find a flute maker in the uk, apart from him. Just look around locally, you may be able to find someone with a hidden talent!! Good luck in finding one.
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by fluter
Re: buying a flute
Hi fluter, can you tell me a bit more about this London based flute maker? It would be useful as I live in London. You can email me direct if you like.
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by peterk2
Re: buying a flute
Wilkes has a 6 year waiting list, that is enough to make one get the McGee.
# Posted on January 31st 2006 by Why Bother?
Re: buying a flute
I've only ever played Grinters but that's because I love them! I've played McGees and most other makes and I still think Mike's flutes are the way to go. He does have quite a long waiting list though but I don't think it's 6 years and I personally think it would be worth the wait. Mike (Grinter) spends alot of time, nearly half the year, in Ireland making flutes so chances are that he wouldn't have to send it too far to get to you either.
# Posted on February 1st 2006 by sneetch
Re: buying a flute
check this out, i play one of his flutes, i'm very happy with it.
From London to Brugge is not that big a trip, so you can try different flutes, and more important, different headjoints.
http://users.skynet.be/geertlejeune/
# Posted on February 1st 2006 by petercnm
Re: buying a flute
I just sold a Flute made by Geert Lejeune. I would reccommend them, I was just looking for something with more volume. They are really nice Flutes, don't know how they would compare to a McGee or a Wilkes, but they are not bad.
# Posted on February 1st 2006 by Why Bother?
Re: buying a flute
Geez. . . Avery. . . I thought *I* went through instruments quickly. What's next on your hit list? An original Rudall?
Best O luck on your next hunt!
# Posted on February 2nd 2006 by wormdiet
Re: buying a flute
A used Casey Burns Boxwood Pratten which I would have sent a money order for today if Banks and Post Offices didn't have a vendetta against me (it is a long story). I had acutally had that Flute since August so I had it for a while
it was a great Flute though and I will miss it.
# Posted on February 2nd 2006 by Why Bother?
Re: buying a flute
See if you can get your hands on the Terry McGee Roving Ambassador Europe flute. It'll give you hands-on try-before-you-buy experience of his (£700?) unkeyed wooden flute and most likely blow your socks off. I tried it - unforgettable!
# Posted on February 6th 2006 by Jay-eye
Re: buying a flute
HI EVERY1 IVE THE MOST STUNNING BRENDAN MCMAHON ,ENNIS,FLUTE FOR SALE.HAND MADE BY HIMSELF AND ALSO HAS SILVER KEYS FITTED BY HIMSELF PERSONALLY.SO IF ANY1 IS INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT ME THANK YOU,ESTHER
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by ESTHER GODFREY
Re: buying a flute
Why are you shouting? You are not selling the Evening Times.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: buying a flute
Esther Godfrey, do you still have your Brendan McMahon flute for sale?
# Posted on February 18th 2011 by Molly McKnight