I currently offer 2 models of flute:

The first model in D is based on a  Rudall and Rose design. 
The flute  has medium bore and medium holes which give a rich and still quite powerful tone.

My second model is a Eb flute based on a Hawkes and Son instrument.
It has a medium to large bore like Pratten bore giving the flute a very loud tone

Gallery:

Blackwood D and Eb:



Mopane Eb:



Kingwood D:



Cocobolo Eb



Olive wood D:

The Wood

My  flutes are made of  various type of  hard woods.
 some woods are not always immediately available and some delay may be necessary.



African Blackwood (most used wood, fantastic wood for all woodwind instruments.  immediately available)
(dalbergia melanoxylon)
country: Tanzania






Mopane (properties very close to blackwood, very good flute wood, very dense and heavy wood)
(colophospermum mopane)
country: South Africa, Africa

Cocobolo ( lovely wood, high figures with dark red to black streaks).
(dalbergia retusa)
region: Central America






Brazilian Kingwood ( One of my favorite,)
(dalbergia caerencis)
country: Brazil

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African Olivewood
(olea hochstetleri)
country: South Africa






Delrin/Acetal
(Plastic polymer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetal_resin)

From a maker point of view, Acetal/Delrin is not as pleasant to work with as wood is but the properties of this material makes it a fantastic alternative to wood: it is resistant to heat, cold and humidity (or Guinness) and does not shrink or expand like wood so there is basically no maintenance and no risk of cracks. It is also not a threatened specie unlike some of the wood we use in flute making. Of course it does not need to be seasoned therefore making a flute out of Delrin takes no time.
Most important of all, the acoustic properties of Delrin are excellent and some claim that the sound of a Delrin flute is as good as the sound of a wooden flute.
It is a perfect choice for beginners and musician who like to take their flutes with them when they travel but are afraid of damaging it. I take the same care in making Delrin flute as I take to make wood flutes. The process is exactly the same and the material used for the rings is still sterling silver.

Other woods such as boxwood, bois de rose, etc, will sometimes be available.

Tuning slide, rings and keys

The tuning slide is made from brass for the inner linning  and stainless steel for the outer sleeve.
 Each slide is ajusted individually to guarantee a perfect fit.

All flutes are mounted with hand forged silver sterling rings.
2 types of ring are available: 4 mm wide or 6 mm wide.

   


Keyed or keyless?


A majority of  tunes in Irish music are  in the key of D or G (and relative minors) so a keyless flute will be enough to play most of the repertoire however other tunes are sometimes played in the keys of A , C or F making

keys necessary.
Other type of traditional music often require a keyed flute.
Some musician will also use keys as a way to create various ornamentation.


I am now able to offer flutes in the key of D with up to 4 keys (keyed Eb are not available yet):



G# :  to play in the key of A

Short F : to play the key of C and F

Eb : to play in the key of Eb and Bb

Long C:  gives a brighter and more in tune "C"



Why only 4 keys?

 Long F can be useful but  the short F key is moslty used.
The Bb key is very rarely used as it is not a very common key in irish music.

Why adding the cost of 2 extra keys if you never use them...
Six keyed flutes will be available in the future but probably not this year.



If you have any comment or question, please drop me a line: fluteorder@gmail.com



Ok, now lets hear it !  How does it sound?

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