Been looking for awhile for a flute I can love, that plays and sounds as I want it. I think I’ve found it:
Just got the Casey Burns Large Hole Standard (his new Pratten style flute) in mopane with no slide (yep, it’s two pieces, all wood except for the tenon thread; even the “cork” is wood as well) from Doc at the IFS. I have not heard anyone praise this flute, but IMHO FWIW, this is a great flute. It is very responsive, quite loud, easy on the hands (the spacing is closer together than a normal Pratten, Casey’s trademark ergonomics; I have medium hands and have little difficulty covering some of the largest holes I’ve seen on a flute, only the Seery large hole seems larger), and has a deep, dark, fat resonant sound that I love that can be pushed to edgy/reedy, loud or soft; intonation is excellent and for a two-piece slideless it is quite tunable. It’s a stout, lovely flute with a big nimble sound, mellow enough for enjoyment when playing by myself, raucous and loud enough for a serious session flute…I think I’m in love.
Here are all the flutes I have played on my search with most at $500 or less (kind of embarrassing but has been a part of my ITM flute education):
Billy Miller bamboo D
old Lark rosewood (?) flute
new Lark cocus (?)
Copley blackwood slideless
M&E R&R
Seery, large and small hole
Sweet, celtic and resonance
Healy standard (used and very dried out, not the best Healy example I’m sure)
Cochran hybrid
Copley delrin w/rings
Anyone interested in a Copley delrin with rings, PM me (it’s brand new, one month old for $440 with free shipping). I have clips of me playing this Copley on my webpage, link is in my signature.
Is mopane supposed to have an unpleasant smell? Or are you saying it’s a good smell It smells OK (has a bit of an orangy smell since I put orange rinds in the case for humidifying).
I’m not going to bother searching for the thread, Jason, but I have praised this flute in the last few months. In fact, I went through a quick succession of flutes, much like you. I found a used (like new) mopane Burns large-holed standard on eBay about 18 months ago, and snapped it up. Mine is actually a 3-piece, but without rings or tuning slide. So I’m sure it’s very similar to yours. I have been very pleased with this flute, and haven 't given any serious thought to others since getting it. (I do think about keys from time to time, but I’m not ready to go there yet).
I recently had a chance to try a blackwood Burns small-handed flute (at Lark in San Francisco), and was very impressed by that as well.
Casey makes a very fine flute, and is very helpful when help is needed. I’d recommend this flute (or any of Casey’s flutes) to anyone without reservation.
I’ve just started to look for a pratten myself… Kind of want to try one out.
I don’t think I can buy a Mopane for my location’s weather conditions, would a blackwood make a huge difference ?
I think the Burns large hole is a strong option for a pratten-style flute because it is very easy on the hands.
As far as mopane vs. blackwood, I would think they have the same risk in terms of cracking/drying. Maybe someone can correct me, but isn’t mopane another variety of African hardwood similar to grenadilla/blackwood?
Also, I live in a semi-arid area of California where it is hot and very dry (humidity dropping to as low as 15%) 4-5 months of the year, similar to many parts of Israel. I just keep the flute in a humidifier at 60-65% and, of course, play it every day–not too worried about cracking. Another possible factor is the Burns large hole I have is a stout, thick flute (as opposed to the thin bodied flutes I’ve seen from Murray, McGee) which may help keep it from cracking as well (open to correction if this is not true).
It smells OK (has a bit of an orangy smell since I put orange rinds in the case for humidifying).