A person I know here in Montreal is selling her keyless Bryan Byrne flute in D to help pay for a 6-key flute. The flute is about a year old and she has taken good care of it; I played it last summer when she first got it and it’s a great flute…very similar in power and tone to my own 6-key Byrne, which has medium holes and is modeled in part after a Rudall Carte. The seller doesn’t have email; if you’re interested please PM me and I can put you in touch with her. She is asking $1,800 US for it (the going price for a Byrne keyless these days).
Does Byrne really get $4-500 more than Olwell and double what Hammy charges? I’m not doubting, just an honest question.
Yep that’s right (and this has been discussed here before, check the archives). I think they’re worth it and evidently others do too, as he’s still selling flutes, but really I think it’s not so much that his flutes are overvalued as other makers are undervaluing their flutes. The Irish and English makers have always charged less for their flutes because the market there wouldn’t bear higher prices (this may be changing with the Euro). American makers have generally been able to charge more. But even so, if you figure out their hourly wage, most flute makers don’t make much more than a person flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s.
Thanks, Brad. Seeing the amount of effort that goes into a flute, I’m with you that hand made wooden flutes are generally undervalued. And given that it took me all of Sunday afternoon to ruffturn a 14" tube, I’m all the more appreciative of their efforts.
And they don’t get any free food, either… 
You want fries with that flute?
How about some apple pie?
What does Bryan Byrne charge for a six-key?
$3600 US
I had a chance to try out this flute last night. It looks wonderful and plays beautifully (based on limited flute playing experience!). Some experienced players were there as well and gave it a whirl. All were suitably impressed.
Also I believe the asking price (both for this particular flute and Bryan’s keyless flutes in general) is $1600 US not $1800 US – my mistake, sorry!