Thanks for the UP suggestions! Most of the flute makers I talk to are still getting orders - just not as fast and furious as up till last year. I actually abhor long waiting lists and if I ever get mine down to zero this winter or following spring (unlikely), then first thing I’ll do is start generating a several flute inventory - and make a few flutes that I have been wanting to make for years. Then I’ll consider bagpipes and other instruments.
I started flute making in 1981 which was a few years into the post Vietnam Recession. I figure if I could start a business then and survive then I have nothing to worry about! But Uilleann Pipes or other bagpipes - probably not for the masses.
There are better makers of the Uilleann Pipes, including Brad Angus 3 hours south of me. I did find an old Kennedy set which I copied for the brother-in-law of the owner and I have a request from the same family for one other which I’ll agree to do. The original is too fragile to play, except for the chanter which plays perfectly at 440 with even a mediocre reed. The set looks like hell unlike some of the pristine Egan sets I’ve seen from that period. The reason why it looks like hell is that it was out being played every night since Colonial times! That chanter is the easiest one to reed. The Egans I have tried copying are nightmares.
Other bagpipes that I would delve in to include the Zampognas of Italy, and then some more French sets. But mostly for myself, so I have some of these to play into my dottage. Last bagpipe I made for myself was when my wife was pregnant with my daughter. My daughter is heading off to college in 6 weeks!
Other instruments to make would include some of the Clarinet family, including the Mozart era bassett horns. I’ve already done one copy of the Griesling and Schott at the Smithsonian. Have considered ergonomic low whistles in wood but I don’t do fipples well. However, I may have someone working on this…
Am not worried about running out of work yet, especially as orders keep coming in. If the Bank Runs continue and the dollar tanks I may raise my prices or simply price everything in a more stable currency such as the Euro. Have heard that people are simply driving less, going on much less fancy vacations - and spending their saved money on instruments instead! I think this is a fine trend.
I was being a bit sarcastic in the above post. However, I do experience a considerable amount of “drop out” from some who are interested in inquiring about my instruments but who inquire here first instead of me directly, then get discouraged by the chatter or flak apparently. They simply never then contact me, possibly after reading posts similar to the one taking issue with my flutes, based on a review one far away instrument in uncertain condition. Or sometimes a legitimate question is followed by drivel and jokes and other irrelevant stuff that belongs in another topic and their questions go unanswered (where are the moderators in this regard. Dale?). This “scare away” factor has the potential to make life difficult, if too many get scared away. But few of my new clients read C&F or even know about it for it to make any significant dent. But I am unable to stop it and don’t necessarily think people should be careful about what they say and the number of posts supporting my flutes usually overwhelms anyway.
But for some - they will read somethng and take it at its face value and some damages may occur! Usually it is misinformation which we have to then spend time on the phone responding to a worried client when our talents are better at the lathe bench. Do people really want to add this traction to us flute makers?
Casey
nice!!
