I’ve recently become very interested in getting a keyed flute, since my old love of jazz has reared its head recently. I also have become enamored with the Prattern-style flute after playing a Windward Prattern at a recent Irish gathering. Unfortunately, Windward has a 3-year waiting list at this point for a keyed flute, much less one with ergonomic keywork and hole placement. Can anyone recommend makers/sellers that would have an 8-key Prattern that wouldn’t wreck my hands in a shorter period of time? I’ve looked in the used instrument exchange but haven’t found much like what I’m looking for.
Since you have your address listed as Seattle I would recommend giving Peter Noy a call. You could stop by and see what he could do for you. His flutes are based more on a Nicholson model but I don’t see how it could hurt to examine the possibilities. He would have the advantage of being able to work with you in person. He also has several embouchure options as well.
John makes a great flute as well, I own one! I was thinking of Peter because of your request regarding ergonomic issues and he is in town. I also own a Noy flute as well and can recommend both makers from experience. Great flutes.
Also consider adding Copley and Boegli flutes to your list. http://copleyflutes.com/ They’re not Pratten copies (more inspired by Hawkes), but they’re in the family–large holes, large bore. I’ve had mine now for nine years, and I’m very satisfied with it. (John Skelton’s a fan, too, which is a weightier endorsement than mine.) Looks like the wait’s around three months for a keyed flute, and the price is lower than some. Dave’s customer service is also excellent–he was happy to make a modification to the G# key and offset the L3 hole when making my flute.
(But working with someone local could be the way to go, since you’re lucky enough to have an excellent maker nearby.)
A suggestion: buy an European flute (except if you don’t want to wait several years). Some suggestions: Watson from Ireland, Baubet from Ireland, Vincenzo Di Mauro from Ireland, Cotter from Ireland, Hamilton has one of the bests Pratten (however, you probably should wait a bit if you wish a new one). All these, imho, are better than Gallagher or Copley.
However, I’m not sure all those makers could accommodate the request for ergonomic hole & key placement in a timely enough manner, either. Do all of them even offer 8-keys? Prattens can be quite a reach, what with the large holes and all. And, I’m in agreement that a Hamilton is a fine flute (I have a 6-key), but if the Seth Gallagher keyless I have is any indication of what John Gallagher turns out, then it’s likely to be fine as well.
Can’t say I know what the deal is with them two. One has more hair.
Seth’s website shows a flute price list effective 2007, so don’t know what changes there are, if any, and whether the 3.5-4 year wait time is more reasonable now. He does include an 8-key, and can do either-hand Bb (or both).
I have 2 Di Mauro flutes dear!
I’m selling/trading the keyless one. I’m pretty sure that I’d burn american Delrin flute in favour of my Baubet Delrin D or Di Mauro one.
However, Peter you are good Sherlock, you won a medal for being shrewd.
I’m pretty sure that I’d burn american Delrin flute in favour of my Baubet Delrin D or Di Mauro one.
To burn?
So you’ve not only got the mileage on Watsons, Baubets, Di Mauros, Cotters, Hamiltons, Gallaghers and Copleys plus expertise necessary to judge the superiority of the Irish-made instruments, but you’re backing this up by throwing nonsensical insults at these other hugely respected makes? Which quite frankly completely undermines what little weight your judgements might ever have had without stating what you rate so much higher about your European favourites.
While (having tried just the Copley from that list) I can’t possibly guess, I’d quite happily talk to any of those makers if I hadn’t already got Dave Copley working so enthusiastically and responsively to produce flutes to my distinctly unusual requirements, and have indeed recently told friends that (from what I’ve seen, heard and read) I thought the six-keyed Baubet they’d ordered a great choice for their daughter.
For something custom, I’d have to say do yourself a favour and go as local as reasonably possible. Sure, I’m delighted with what Dave Copley’s been producing for me (both very custom and very good!), but things needing to head back and forth across the Atlantic a few times have added hugely to ‘downtime’ and logistic complications. So think in your position I’d start by talking to Noy if he’s local, consider other US-based makers, and only go further afield if sure you’ve struck gold (as I did with Dave’s initial response to my queries) or there’s no other way to get what you want.
