Bowjest recently asked if anyone had information about this maker and his flutes - www.carlbell.co.uk - unfortunately I think his post was missed as it was tacked on to the end of another thread.
I also have been meaning to ask if anyone has any information about these flutes, they certainly look magnificent and his own design narrow bore is interesting.
Gostrangely,
Thanks for taking the time to make this a post in its own right.
I’m certainly hoping someone out there has played some of his instruments and can comment further.
I spoken to Carl on the phone and swapped a couple of mails and seems like a really nice guy who’s committed to what he does.
Hopefully next month I’ll have enough money to get one of his acetal instruments (a Rudall model), but would really like to hear what others have to say.
Stefan Hannigan (Toronto) (steafan@steafan.com) has one of his Bb flutes and highly recommended it. I had a chance to hear it as well and was quite nice. Workmanship seemed very good.
Chuck
Thanks for the feedback, chuck.
As I’m a beginner reading that has made be feel even better about deciding to go with Carl for my first real flute purchase.
Once I get together the money (hopefully next month), I’ll let you all know what I find and (if I’m really brave) maybe post me playing something on it.
Cheers,
Will
Steafan Hannigan replied back and said he thinks Carl’s flutes are great.
To quote:
"Carl makes great flutes
He made a low Bb flute for me for a Julian Lloyd Webber recording called Unexpected Songs. So it had to be pretty much perfect, as it was all done ensemble and Live!
I am usually more of a Trad player
http://ecards.emiclassics.co.uk/jlw/index.html#
look at track 10 for a hint of it!
It arrived in good time and still is a wonderful flute
I would have no hesitation in recommending his work to anyone . Carl is kind and really takes trouble over his instruments, and you can tell him I said so."
Can’t wait to put my order in soon!
I rcently bought a Carl Bell delrin, and have nothing but praise for its construction, tone and easy, responsive voicing, Highly Recommended!!
fsharp,
Super! Very glad to hear it.
Can’t wait until I have the dosh saved up to put in my order!
Hi
I had a Blackwood Bell Bb on loan (thanks Gary), and I liked it very much. Workmanship was great, and playability as well.
I’ve even posted a video clip where the Bell is feathured here on the board. It’s in videos comparing M&E and Seery flutes if you do a search or browse back a little.
Yes, just listened to it. That Bb flutes sounds very good indeed.
If this fellow’s D flutes are that good he’s
a real find.
Henke,
Thanks. The site’s down for the moment, but I’ll check that out soon.
All this positive feedback has me dreaming of next month when I can put my order in!
Guess I’d better be putting in the practice time so I can do it some justice. I’ll post something once I’ve got it and hopefully get some constructive feedback on my playing (all 3 weeks of it so far).
Wow!
A flute made out of acetal (delrin) w/out tuning slide for only 175 pounds
Still only 345$ with the conversion to dollars!
That might be a great beginner/intermediate/travel flute!
About the same price as some high end whistles!
I think I just sold myself on one.
Nate
I’m curious: Since you live in the U.S. why wouldn’t you buy from an established U.S. maker who offers at least an equally good flute, or perhaps even better, for esse
ntially the same price? You’d pay essentially the same price, support the U.S. economy, wait less time for delivery, and have easier access to the maker.
Dave Copley in Ohio makes wonderful flutes and has a Delrin model that’s available for $359. I believe.
Loren
i think loren is right about delrin flutes… the good think about carl bell’s flutes is that the wood ones are quite cheap, but i’m curious about the quality of them…
The one I tried was Blackwood and it seemed very stable and well seasoned in my humble experience.
Loren,
Thanks for your question and input about Copely flutes. I totally agree that we should support our local economy…sinking as it may.
I have heard alot of great reviews about Copely flutes. I even tried an all wood model in a flute swap with Silly Dill. I have small hands so the stretch and hole size was a little difficult. If I wanted one I would talk to Dave about a more ergonomic hole placement and I am sure that it would work for me but…I just didn’t like it enough to buy one.
That said, the small bore model that Carl makes just looked like a flute that might work better for me!
I hear that Swindler is working on a Rudall modal so that might be an option also!
Cheers!
Nate
I wonder what the stretch is like on swindler’s flutes.
I believe the body is cylindrical, which MIGHT make a longer
stretch.