Hi,
Have decided to buy a Michael Grinter flute and have to choose between the lancewood or the blackwood. I hear the lancewood requires more maintenance - has anyone any advice on which is better?
Thanks!
Lancewood, if anything, requires less maintenance. It’s a beautiful timber more akin (to my ears) to cocus than to blackwood.
I’d go for the lancewood. If you look at the ‘flute porn’ thread (search for ‘flute porn,’ how many such threads can there be?), you’ll find a pic of my lancewood Grinter.
Nice stuff!
Stuart
Thanks Sturob. That’s what I wanted to hear! How long have you had your flute? I’m just worried about how much easier they are to crack. It seems it’s not too likely as so many people have them and I haven’t seen any messages about them splitting.
I’ve seen photos and they are beautiful instruments. I’m really excited about getting one.
I’ve had mine maybe 3 years or so. I think I may have oiled it four times. Three the first year.
It’s nice timber.
Stuart
I have Uilleann pipes in Red Lancewood and Blackwood. Though they are from different makers the chanters are very similar in length and tone hole placement… the lancewood chanter plays a bit more lively than the blackwood.
Both chanters have only been oiled a few times.
Micheal himself recently told me that Lancewood “moves” a bit more than blackwood or cocobolo.
Nonetheless, it depends on where you live, the range of humidity during seasons, and how much you travel.
After seeing Stuart’s lady, I’m looking at an 8-key in lancewood. Awesome.
Thanks for all your replies, I’ve decided to go with the lancewood and have paid my deposit. Have also ordered a high D whistle. All this after playing a polymer for 4 years. I won’t know myself!