Hi guys.
I got a wonderfull 6 Keys flute from Gilles Lehart a year and a half ago. I cannot be happier with the flute but I would like to incorpore those two keys on my flute. I contact Gilles and he said that he do not make C and C# keys. What options do I have from here?
Do you know any maker able to copy the foot joint of my flute and add those two keys? Any other idea?
Thanks!
I would check with Terry McGee. I know he makes custom head joints, he might do a custom foot joint for you.
John Dura
The person I know who has the most versatility in adding keys to existing flutes would be Maurice Reviol.
http://bassoon.co.nz/flute-keywork.html
Ditto on Maurice! Great guy to work with!
I second the nomination for Maurice Reviol if the rest of the flute is post-mounted or if you don’t mind a mix (see below). Maurice has a background in post-mounted keywork (as opposed to the block-mounts most of us use). Block-mounts are fine for normally-closed keys, but not so easy for normally-open keys. He may well be able to add the post-mounted keys to the existing foot if you’re happy with that approach, although the existing Eb key might make that tricky.
A mix of block and post might sound strange, but it was often used for Siccama flutes in the 19th century, e.g. this one by Chappell:
If you want/need to remain in block-mounted style, a maker could glue on new blocks, rather than having to start again.