Hey folks,
This is a topic that comes up once in a while. I was wondering what your opinions are on 3d printed keyed flutes as a gateway for people getting into keyed flute playing (one example would be Galeon’s Pratten keyed flute). Is this the most affordable entry option into keyed flute playing? Are there better options? Is it better to just invest in a handmade wooden keyed flute?
I can’t answer on flutes, but I had the chance to listen to and try some 3D printed small bassoons (a Schola Cantorum Basel project), and both playing and listening to them, couldn’t really tell much difference. Depending on the material and process used, the exterior sometimes can be a bit rougher than well sanded wood, which is the only thing that might put me off purchasing a printed instrument.
I have two problems with the idea. One is the depreciation factor. Buy a wooden or even Delrin keyed flute and you can sell it later on the used market if you want to move up into a better instrument. A printed flute is likely to have very little resale value in a very niche market like this one.
Second potential problem is that if you don’t get a real “player,” something with key response as good as from a more traditional maker, it could discourage you from upgrading to a wooden keyed flute. Disclaimer that I’ve never played one, but so far I’m not seeing Irish trad players buying keyed printed flutes as lifetime instruments. If it was me and money was tight, I’d go for a Delrin keyed flute.