Cap of flute and tuning cork

Irish Flute
1

I believe that the cap of a flute
controls the tuning cork, which
can be adjusted by turning
the cap. Am I right? The
reason I ask is that the
cap of my Copley turns
rather freely, and I’m nervous.
Is this supposed to be?

What does one do with
this thing, really?

2

Jim,

Some flutes have a screw cap, but this is rare.

Measure the diameter of the bore at the center of the embouchure hole. The cork should be this distance from the center of the embouchure hole. You mark your cleaning rod, or a wood dowel, and check it periodically.

Bill

[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-27 17:43 ]

3

The cap on your Copley is not attached to the cork in the head joint. You should be able to pull the cap off, and I “think” Dave engraves a serial number onto the brass that’s exposed there. (I’ll have to go home to check my Copley) I have a little bit of paper in the space between the cork & the cap with my name & phone number on it.
Some flutes do use the cap to adjust the cork position - I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to tell you which makers use this system.
Best.

4

Thanks!

5

Bill, what do you do if the
cork is in the wrong place? Jim

6

Jim,

  1. Remove cap.
  2. Insert a sturdy wooden dowel (or equivalent) into the head and push gently in the direction you want the cork to move.
  3. Check position, and repeat step 2 if needed.
  4. Replace cap.

If the cork won’t move, tap the end of the wooden dowel with something like a wood mallet (or equivalent).

The cork can only be removed from the end with the cap (there’s a taper).

If you need to remove the cork, I’d apply some cork grease to make it move easier.

If you want even more info, check Terry McGee’s web page.

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Stopper.html

Bill

[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-27 20:02 ]

7

Many thanks. Much appreciated!

8

Just a quick note of advice. You can deform your headjoint cork by pushing against it with something thin. When I’ve moved my cork in the past I dropped a dime up against the cork and pushed against that.

Sincerely,
-George

9

Jim, I wouldn’t hestitate to e-mail or call Dave Copley. I recently e-mailed him to ask about my Copley end cap and tuning cork.
I did so just to garner information about my
flute in the event I would ever need to make
an adjustment. Good ole Dave responded right
away with plenty of information which included his cork setting preference.