Hello I’m a leaving cert student and I am looking for a flutes upgrade
I own a Damien Thompson keyless flute but I am looking for a keyed flutes as I feel I would benefit from it’s variety for sessions competitions and my up coming leaving cert practical in june. Does anyone have recommendations for keyed flutes, I have enquired about a glenn Watson but Glenn seems to have a long waiting list. As I preferablyneeda new flute by june a short waitlust of a flute maker wpuld be on the cards. I also have had suggestions of sam Murray nach mayer and eamonn cotter flutes. Any suggestions would be appreciated and how to go about purchasing would be appreciated also. Thank you!!!
I don’t think you’re going to get on Sam Murray’s waiting list (he is dead) but you may get a second hand one.
Forget the generic Germans.
You could try Martin Doyle. He is sound. Eamonn is sound too. Best give these guys a call, explain your situation snd see what they say.
I think you won’t be able to get keyed flute form a reputable maker for June next year. The waiting time is usually at least a year.
In any case, you wouldn’t be able to have a new keyed flute well before you exams and wouldn’t be able to make use of the keys.
But here or on Facebook you might came across a nice keyed flute.
Isn’t Damian Thompson retro fitting keys on his flutes?
I am thinking about selling my six keyed Lejeune Pratten flute, as I got my hands on a used Murray a couple of weeks ago and right now I prefer the smaller bore of that flute. If you are interested, you could write me a message (I still have to make up my mind if I keep both or flute or if I sell one of them…).
I was going to suggest a few good modern makers (such as Steffen Gabriel, Dave Copley, etc) who I thought had shorter waiting lists, but having just looked at their waitlists, it seems that 2-3 years is par for the course for a keyed flute, so way too long a wait for your stated time frame.
With that in mind, I’d focus attention on the used market, either a used flute from a modern maker, or one of the better known antiques in good playing condition. There are a few antique Rudalls up for sale right now, and while they are more expensive than the lesser known antique flutes, they have the advantage of holding their value if you eventually decide to sell them and use the money for a flute from a modern maker.
Paddler already noted that there are several antique Rudalls for sale right now. Check on eBay and also the Irish Flute Store. Read the fine print as to condition and playability. As far as I can see the ones on offer are all good to great.
Despite being advertised in the US-based IFS, a couple or three of those R&Rs are residing in Europe (and Ireland), two I believe with Hammy Hamilton. That would make shipping or pickup easier if you are on that side of the ocean.
I had the opportunity to play a Martin Doyle 6-key boxwood flute a few weeks ago and it was a very nice player, responsive, with a strong Pratten-like, tone and refreshingly light in the hands. It was very much like image 6 on his website. Relatively large bore and tone holes.
You could keep an eye on donedeal. There are a good few nach Meyers on offer that you wouldn’t want but right now there’s a three key Murray (that looks a bit neglected, in fairness) and Caoimhin O’Fearghaill has an old boxwood one for sale.
Not making any recommendations but things do come up there,occasionally, so worth keeping an eye out.
I have two recently fully restored (by myself) antique English 8-key flutes, both excellent players, currently available to sell. I simply haven’t found time to list them for sale properly. They’re in GB. One is a Thomas Prowse Jr. flute (not a Nicholson’s Improved model, but pretty similar) and the other is one of the Pratten’s Perfected unofficial copies made by Wylde. Please (anyone) get in touch if interested.