Last night I met Vermont flutemaker Bryan Byrne at a session and got to play some tunes on one of his flutes.
First, Bryan is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and an awesome player.
Second, Bryan’s flutes are frickin’ unbelievable!!! So dang good I could hardly believe it. Seriously folks, I’m not one for hyperbole, but Bryan’s flutes are easily, easily in the same range as the best Olwells and Grinters I’ve played. You really must try one of his flutes! Absolutely amazing..
Best,
Chris
[ This Message was edited by: ChrisLaughlin on 2003-01-26 15:21 ]
I would say the reason Bryan’s flutes are a secret are because he keeps it himself. I inquired to him personally about getting on his waiting list and was told he wasn’t taking anymore orders because he dosen’t have the time to complete the list he has now. How’s that for secret!
If you are interested in one of his flute’s there’s one for sale on Brad’s website.
Your comments have got me pumped. Bryan is currently finishing up a Keyless D for me, and its due to ship in a few weeks. He’s really been great to deal with. Hopefully, he’ll get out from underneath his backlog and begin to take more orders. Pics and a review will follow.
Matt - I wonder if that was your flute I played? He had to go to the shop and get it (we were at my cousin’s house in Montpelier, VT) because he didn’t have one with him. He’s making keyed flutes now as well, so I’d assume he plays a keyed flute himself. If that was your flute and he’s just finishing it up - it a rediculously good flute. If not, you’re still in for quite a treat when that flute shows up!
Chris
[ This Message was edited by: ChrisLaughlin on 2003-01-26 17:59 ]
Man, the wait is killing me! I know he had two in the works that he expected to finish right around this time. I’m going to ring him in the morning to see if its the one. That would be totally cool.
Would you offer up a contrast/comparison to your keyless Olwell? I had a devil of a time deciding between the two makers.
Matt -
Sounds cool. Don’t tell him I thought it might be your flute, otherwise he might get mad at me, but do feel free to mention my name and tell him how great I think his flutes are.
I’ve actually got to run, I’m going skiing, but a quick compare/contrast:
Olwell = everything that’s good about a Pratten design with none of the shortcomings.
Byrne= everything that’s good about a Rudall design with none of the shortcomings.
My Olwell is a bit louder and rounder sounding, with a particularly nice low end and a floor rumbling low D.
The Byrne I tried was extremely well balanced across both octaves, like the best of the Rudalls, sweet, reedy and complex with a breathtakingly lovely high end and a strong, crisp but very smooth low end. I don’t know how to articulate it better.
Let’s put it this way.
Olwell = frickin awesome
Byrne = frickin awesome
Olwell + Byrne = two frickin awesome flutes!
Yep. Maybe I’m not one of the ones you’ve conferred with directly, but I think his assessment is spot on. I have the same combination of flutes: a Byrne (Rudall) and an Olwell Pratten.
I don’t have nearly as much experience with the Olwell Rudall design. In the near future, though, I hope to!
Announcement of Byrne for Sale:
A friend of mine has asked me to sell his keyless blackwood Byrne flute. Excellent condition, Rudall-body style (two-piece middle) and bore. Great tone. No flaws. About 1-year old.
If interested (asking price is $1,400) then email me off list.
On 2003-01-26 15:42, CraigMc wrote:
I would say the reason Bryan’s flutes are a secret are because he keeps it himself. I inquired to him personally about getting on his waiting list and was told he wasn’t taking anymore orders because he dosen’t have the time to complete the list he has now. How’s that for secret!
If you are interested in one of his flute’s there’s one for sale on Brad’s website.
I just got off the phone with Bryan. He is still taking orders for his keyless flutes, and he has only temporarily stopped accepting keyed-flute requests. He’s trying to wittle down his backlog, and he mentioned that he’s trying to rethink his approach and pricing a bit on the keyed flutes. I’m posting this at his request.
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