Best Flutes in Delrin or other Polymer

Irish Flute
1

Hi,

I’m more and more considering upgrading my M&E Keyless Delrin in D.

And I have made up my mind, I want to continue D keyless and I still like delrin, for it is care free and the sound is really good. So, I was wandering if could any of you point me to good Delrin/Polymer flute makers and what is your impression on those instruments. I have found a couple, even some mentioned here, but it is difficult to sort them out without trying the instruments, which right now is an impossibility. BTW I’m looking for a really good instrument (as best as possible with polymer)

I’m in Europe and would prefer a European (Continental, Irish or Bristish) maker due to the importing costs

Thanks for your help,

Andre

2

Can’t help you with European versions, but shipping from the states isn’t that much…

I’ve owned M&E, Copley, and Cochran flutes in delrin and they all played well for me. I would have to say that the M&E was the “less goodest” of the three however. The Copley and Cochran flutes are very similar, play-wise, with the Copley being my slight favorite because of its short foot. You could probably get a Cochran with a short foot as well, however (mine wasn’t).

My current delrin is a Copley - I use it a lot when I don’t want to “risk” my wooden flutes. It is a short-foot with silver rings, an elliptical embouchure, and a C-nat thumbhole. The elliptical embouchure and thumbhole are no-cost add-ons from Dave.

Good luck in your search.

Oh yeah, as an aside - Dave Copley is making fully-keyed delrins now at a very good price!

3

If you are ignoring the M&E and Dixon 3-piece polymer flutes (for whatever reason as they both have supporters) there are a variety of fine flutes available in polymer. I’ve heard great things about Copley, Cochran, Forbes, Seery, and Somers (have owned the latter two and currently play a Somers small bore Rudall). McGee, Ward and even Burns occasionally flirt with the material as well, though admittedly Casey has only posted his intent to try it. These are all great flutes, though certainly different. Your selection should depend on what you are trying to achieve.

I certainly haven’t had a chance to try all of these flutes, but from some of my own experience as well as what I’ve read on this forum and elsewhere:

Will you be playing a lot in large sessions? Might want to consider a Pratten influenced design like the Forbes, Somers or Seery for volume. You also might want to have a “conventional” tuning slide (like you have on your M&E) to make it easier to tune to that button accordian…

Backpacking or playing for long periods of time? My M&E was a brick, almost anything would be an improvement.

Running out of air and want a more “efficient” flute? Think McGee GLP or Somers small bore

Like the “sweet” second octave Rudall sound? Rudall influenced designs are available from all but Forbes and Seery I believe.

Ergonomics an issue? I like a 5-piece flute with a joint between the left and right hand to match my antique flutes. Some with small hands prefer a more ergonomic hole placement (I believe that Casey makes a specialty of this, but have large hands so has never been an issue for me).

As you can see there are a lot of personal choices that can go into your “ultimate” selection. Please note that preferences change over time as well. Initially I was looking for the loudest flute with a strong low D honk and that lead me over to the Pratten camp. I have now switched almost exclusively to Rudall style flutes (though my Ward Hawkes blackwood flute is still one of my favorites, and is a great compromise between the two camps).

Good luck with your search. Enjoy the voyage. Note that if you try one of the better manufacturers and find it isn’t for you there is most likely a good market here on the board. You may lose a bit in the transaction, but you can think of it as a “rental fee” :laughing:

4

I’m another Copley fan, but mine’s blackwood. I’ve owned two Seery delrin flutes, (foolishly sold off the first), and find them to be very close in look, feel and sound to the Copley. You can often find them used here in the $500 range – a great bargain IMO.

I also really like the Seery’s excellent, hydraulic-feeling, tuning slide. And the fact that I can leave it assembled and ready for play whenever I feel like grabbing it. Highly recommended!

5

One maker located in Ireland who works in delrin that comes to mind is Francois Baubet. I haven’t seen his instruments but others here have commented favorably.

Best wishes.

Steve

6

I’ve played a Seery for a period, and found that the Forbes is superior.

7

Hamilton can make his flutes in delrin, same price as wooden.

8

I’ve owned M&E and Seerys and to be honest wasn’t really impressed that much by either. I did try a Forbes at a session once and thought it was top-notch. I haven’t tried a Copley in delrin but I do have an Eb by Dave and it is a great instrument.

9

Get a Hamilton!

But really you are kind of asking “What’s the best car in the color red?”. You might want to first consider the design of the flute and what you require of a design.

I like the Copley and Forbes flutes in delrin.

And I don’t think your M&E is made of delrin (I own three of them). They are made from a softer polymer.

Feadoggie

10

I have a McGee in delrin, same price as wood, a great flute!

11

I’ve tried/owned M&E, Seery, Copley, Cochran, Forbes. I think Forbes is the best if you can handle the large holes of a Pratten-style flute.

12

Ask Loic if his Hamilton Delrin is still for sale:
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/fs-2-j-proux-whistles-hamilton-keyless-flute/78186/1
I’ve owned one myself. It is a dream flute. Stupid me for selling it.

13

I did! Still waiting for his answer though. This might be exactly what I was looking for. I always loved the sound of the Hamilton’s, though not sure if I’ll adjust to a Pratten…

14

If you’re thinking Pratten, the Forbes delrin is very similar in feel to a Hamilton - I was using my Hammy and another fluter had the Forbes. We switched off a few times, and I’d forget while playing which flute I was using. The sound was close enough, with me as the common denominator; seems to me, if I ever needed a delrin backup for my Hamilton, the Forbes would more than serve. And, while I’m a true fan of Hamilton’s flutes and recommend them heartily, the Forbes is considerably more affordable.

15

What’s the best delrin/polymer rudally flute?

16

Hammy charges more for his Delrin flutes, the stuff is quite tricky to work, I have a Delrin Hammy, which is a very special flute,not just because it has an amazing sound, but it also has an amazing history, so not for sale, when I saw Hammy a few months back, he said that the long body section flexes quite a bit when being turned, its without doubt that he puts the same effort and craftsmanship into the wood and delrin flutes, Hammy knocked out a tune on my Delrin whilst I was there and I have to say it sounds every bit as good as wood, I know there is a whole load of purist out there when it comes to delrin and wood, but I would’nt swap my delrin for anything, same great sound, non of the maintenance or worry.
I also have medium sized hands and have no problem covering the holes.

sponge

17

Delrin is not at all tricky to work with if you are used to working with it and want to work with it. Delrin machines very well with sharp tools and appropriate rpm and feed rates. A Mandrel may be necessary to turn long sections without flexing where you might just mount a piece of timber between centers. Different materials sometimes require different tooling. I can see where a maker might not enjoy it compared to timber. And why they might ask a premium for turning it.

Glad you like your delrin flute. The Hamilton would still be my choice if the buyer requires European origin.

Feadoggie

18

john Gallagher has made a killer delrin flute and i’m sure would make more.

19

I´ve remembered that Mr. Hamilton even plays -or used to play- one of his own delrin flutes. He has one or two words to say about the delrin VS A. blackwood eternal discussion… He thinks that good flutes, equally designed and made from both materials, sound the same…
… Aaaand same words came from Glenn Watson when I asked him. He has made delrin flutes too (at least one). Excellent sound (¡it´s a Watson Rudall design!), but a bit of extra weight compared to a regular wooden flute.

Take your own conclusions, but their knowledge and experienced voice is more than sufficient for me.

20

My guess is that most makers have tried Delrin, and the better makers have made terrific flutes from the stuff - the quality is their craft, not so much the choice of material. The bigger issue seems to be whether a maker enjoys working with Delrin or not; I imagine that a huge part of their original impetus to make flutes was/is to work with wood, not merely to produce flutes. Or maybe it’s the stubborness of traditional materials, either from the maker or from the (bulk) of buyers. Still, a significant sufficient number of makers make mainly Delrin flutes, and charge less for them than for their own wooden counterparts, if they make them as well - the material, if nothing else, is cheaper and more readily available.