FWIW - Just wanted to pass along my excellent impression of the Burns folk flute…I’ve been playing about 4 years and have had Dixon, Seery, M&E, McGee, Olwell flutes and played quite a few others - my primary flute has been an Olwell Nicholson. I got the Burns just a few days ago and am totally impressed with the tone, tuning, and overall playability of this instrument…it is a remarkable value! If you’re thinking of getting one, go for it! (I have no commercial connection with Casey Burns, but he seems to be a nice guy to deal with) - Tod
Will you say something more about the Olwell Nicholson?
How does it compare to other Olwells?
Jim, for me his Nicholson is ideal. I’ve played a friend’s Olwell pratten, and the difference is that mine has a “sweeter” sound, perhaps more balanced through the scale, although it still barks nicely and plays at good volume…also seems to take less air, which I especially value - almost like a cross between the characteristics you would typically think of between an R&R and a Pratten, if that makes any sense - Jessie is a good one to ask, as she owns both flutes, and I believe prefers the Nicholson. Hope that helps… best to all
Tod
Tod, I agree that Casey’s work is top-notch. I haven’t played one of his folk flutes, but my Rudall-style blackwood arrived yesterday, and it’s definitely a keeper. Beautifully made, and so comfortable to play. I’ll have more detailed things to say about it once I’ve had a few more days to put it through it’s paces.
Dana 
I have a beautiful Olwell Pratten that I love, and don’t consider it at all difficult to fill… I am one who loves a loud, honking flute, and the Olwell is all that, but it doesn’t have to sound that way…
HOWEVER, I also just purchased Micah’s mopane CB flute, and all I have to say is ~ woohoo!!!
Talk about flute for a steal!!! At first, I thought, well, this flute is o.k. Now that I have played it consistently, I have to admit ~ it’s totally GREAT!!! I can up the volume on it like you couldn’t believe, and it sounds awesome. It is a substantial flute, and the all-wood gives it a slightly fuller tone, I guess (I’m not as good at describing sound as some folks on the board) the flute fairly hums in my hands and I can feel it in my fingertips ~ I love that! It’s upper octave is easy and sweet, and the lower gets a good boom…
In fact, I like it so much that I have just unlocked my stash of overtime bucks to purchase a “not-second-hand” CB flute in C (boxwood) ~
Well, gotta go now, and make some more overtime…
Happy Memorial day to everyone who celebrates it 
Mary
Tod, Jim has asked me a bunch of times already about Olwells.
Mary, see how it grows on you?! It will continue to do so.
Tod,
How would you rate the CB Folk Flute in comparison with the Dixon? I feel I am outgrowing my Dixon, all the more so since I recently had a chance to play a few nice wooden flutes at a session and was amazed at the power I could get out of them.
Thanks!
Az
Hi… IMHO the Burn’s sounds much better than the Dixon, and I liked the Dixon I used to have. It’s just as easy with a lot nicer tonal quality, and it’s an enjoyable flute to play, has a nice feel to it… if I get a chance I’ll post a little tune to clips’n’snips - Tod
You are so right!!!
I am continuallly impressed with it!
BTW, how’s that little one of yours???
Mary
As I have said a bunch of times now, I LOVE my CB Folk flute and am going to have him build me a figured boxwood keyed flute with no slide or rings - I love the all-wood feel.
I don’t want to hijack the thread, but I will answer your question anyway. She’s great. She is starting to have a personality. She loves to be hugged. From what I hear, she’ll start smiling consistently in the next week or so. It happens from time to time, but I look forward to more. Thanks for asking.
Gosh, what could be more perfect than that little baby’s face?!?!
Beautiful!
Mary
A fully keyed Olwell in red cocus wood… that’s what would be more perfect than a little baby’s face 
Speaking of which, I just found out my sister is going to have a baby. I told her today that I’m going to play Irish music near her belly during her entire pregnancy and teach her kid to play as soon as s/he is old enough (age 3). I’m not sure how she felt about that, but she doesn’t really have a choice. 
In other news I’m soon to receive Eb and C parts for my unkeyed Olwell and E and B tubes for my Sindt whistles are in the mail. It’s exactly like Christmas, except no praying, no snow, not as much obnoxious advertising, no crummy Christmas music, no Christmas tree, no stockings, no Santa Clause, no eggnog, no Rudolph, no…
Chris
The CB sounds better than the Dixon, but if it were me
and I was outgrowing the dixon I would go up at least
to the midrange CB mopane, I think it’s 450.
Jim… IMO, depends on Az’s budget, and the Burns folk flute is an unmatched value for the money and a nice step-up from the Dixon - when you start getting into the $450-$600 range there are arguably a lot more choices - Tod
“Now your dancing child with his Chinese suit, he spoke to me, I took his flute. No, I wasn’t very cute to him, was I?” - Bob Dylan
Thanks for the mails – very helpful! It’s not entirely about budget: the problem with ordering from overseas (and most flute-makers ARE overseas), is, well, just that: it has to be a dead cert (or as near as makes no difference) in order to avoid having to send it back after being dissatisfied etc. Casey’s returns policy is what also attracts me.
But .. I also need to play a few flutes I think, and for that reason I’m planning a trip check some out in England in July some time (Hobgoblin, London). Once I have actually got my hands on a few varieties I can make more of an educated decision.
Cheers,
Az