I’m looking to purchase a Delrin 6-keyed D-flute. I realize all these flutes are great and have good craftsmanship, but I was wondering if people had experience comparing any of these flutes: Francois Baubet, Vincenzo Di Mauro, and Copley & Boegli? I’m interested in hearing people’s subjective opinions about the differences between these delrin flutes.
I know 99% of the sound is from the player, but I’d be very interested in what people have thought of these flutes in terms of volume, tonal qualities, and playability (e.g., weight).
I’ve never tried a Vincenzo di Mauro flute, so I can’t comment. I will say in spite of the fact that Francois has become a friendly acquaintance of mine over the past few years, I’d say that my delrin Baubet plays almost as well as my Olwell, and plays almost identically to the Wilkes that Francois more or less modeled it after (I’m pretty familiar with that flute as well). In short, I think his delrin flute is worth at least three times what he charges for it, and it plays better than all but the absolute top shelf flutes. I have at least 6 students who have ordered from Francois, and been totally delighted, including one who ordered a 6 keyed delrin flute to match her keyless Baubet.
Francois’ Rudall is one of the best, most satisfying flutes I’ve ever tried. If you like Wilkes flutes, you’re in for something extremely similar in a Baubet model. And Francois will go the extra mile to make sure you like it.
I am no expert fluter, but I can say that I’m extremely pleased with my Baubet. I am sending it back to him in the next month or so to have 6 keys added to it. Mine is a keyless delrin flute, but he allows you to send the flute back to him and he will replace the unkeyed body segments with keyed segments. This would allow for you to buy a keyless flute to decide if you like it or not, and if you do it’s always possible to send it back to have the keys added. He’s great to deal with.
I haven’t played a great many flutes, but I can say that I definitely love my Baubet flute! I’d recommend it! Sorry I haven’t tried the others, so can’t offer the comparison you are looking for, but I’m sure someone will turn up who can compare them.
I do also play a blackwood LeHart, and there are two areas where I think the LeHart is a little better- The delrin Baubet weighs a good bit more, and also I can get a stronger bell note out of the LeHart (note that this may be due to how I play, rather than the flute. I’ve had the LeHart for longer). That being said, I still play the Baubet as my primary flute.
Also, I think Francois Baubet is just making one model of flute currently. When I bought mine there was no “rudall” or “pratten” model to choose from, and on his page it says he has taken aspects from several types of flute into consideration when making his own. I think maybe this has changed over the years.
I am waiting on six keys. He is just making the body segments with the mounts on them, then I send it in and he adds all six.
Sooo.. m’yup.. definitely does six keys, but unfortunately not eight, which isn’t really a problem for most people.
As far as keys of flute goes- He only makes them in D now, but Eb and C flutes are on the agenda for someday in the future, if I am remembering correctly from our email correspondence.
You can get a lot more info by emailing him. He will also send you his price list and all the options and optional bits available and their cost. You can choose nickel silver or sterling silver rings (regular or wide, and option of engraved bottom ring), screw cap option, and of course up to six keys. Again, didn’t see any option for completely different models of flute available such as a pratten or rudall based flute, as it seems he only offers one currently.
Oh, and of course besides delrin you can choose the usual varieties of woods. In his “currently available” gallery I also saw a boxwood flute with synthetic ivory head. That wasn’t on the price list, so it might be worth asking if you have something else in mind that isn’t listed.
Thank you all for the feedback. Thus far people seem to have more experience with Baubet’s delrin flutes than others (though I’m sure the others are great flutes as well).