http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilkes-Keyless-Wood-Wooden-Irish-Flute-Beautiful_W0QQitemZ250017364467QQihZ015QQcategoryZ10183QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Nice rings!
To bad I am fresh out of thousands…
Now here’s a rare opportunity!!
It’s…keyless!!! 
M
I’m not much into flute accumulation these days, but that’s a piece I’d love to get my hands and lips on.
Loren
Who needs keys? I like to play, not pose with a lot of unnecessary metal 
I play Irish traditional on a keyless and it works out fine. This is a great flute intended for an Irish trad player
Jon, that’s a mouth watering flute, both visually, and playability I’m sure… l’d guess it’s up for about double the original price, given the fancy work -I’ve never had the chance to try a Wilkes pratten style, but I’ll bet it sings - (sigh) - will be interesting to see what this goes for. I don’t recall that Eilam has a Wilkes yet… t’would be an essential addition to his collection
Tod
Considering the Rose Engine work on that flute, I wouldn’t think the auction starting price is double what it originally cost, but I could be wrong, as I haven’t priced out that sort of work by Mr. Wilkes, since the waiting list is so long.
Loren
I don’t think Chris charges extra for the engine-turned rings; he loves making them. I may be wrong about that, though, as it does require more silver (and more time!) than regular rings. I think the reasons this is going for more than what you’d pay for a new keyless from Wilkes are:
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The waiting list factor,
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The fact that it is so rare that you see a secondhand Wilkes for sale, and
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There have been rumors that Chris has stopped taking orders for keyless flutes, and while I don’t know if that rumor is true, it’s a rumor that has spread widely enough that many people believe it’s true and thus this flute could be seen as even more desirable.
I’m pretty sure I played this flute once when I was in Seattle, if this is indeed the Pratten-style Wilkes that I remember. It’s great, of course.
Interesting that he might not charge more for the Rose Engine work. Personally, I’m in love with really well done Rose Engine turnings like Chris does, however almost no one does it. I’d love to do some of that work in the future, but that’s a ways off for me.
Loren
My Bb Wilkes came with big engine-turned rings (I didn’t ask for them) and it didn’t affect the price, but that was a few years ago now. To be honest I thought they looked too gaudy when the flute arrived, but now that they’ve tarnished a bit over the years they look right classy and I’ve grown fond of them.
A few years ago (about 5, I guess), I ordered and received two Wilkes keyless flutes in a miraculously short time. One had regular rings and the other had Rose engine turned rings and an elaborate endcap (just like the one in the auction). The one with the special rings cost 100 pounds more. The flute with Rose engine turned rings and elaborate endacap cost about $900 at the time.
At that time, he was making only Rudalls. I had wanted a Pratten. I sold both of the Rudalls on eBay (auction) for about $1000 and $1150.
Well he SHOULD charge more for them, given the extra work and material that go into them, so I’m glad he does!
Yeah, and a 100 pounds or so is still a helluva deal for that sort of work and the extra silver.
Okay, I’ve got Boxwood 4 Key Murray that I’ll sell for…what do we think this Wilkes is going to go for? 
Loren
"A few years ago (about 5, I guess), I ordered and received two Wilkes keyless flutes in a miraculously short time. One had regular rings and the other had Rose engine turned rings and an elaborate endcap (just like the one in the auction). The one with the special rings cost 100 pounds more. The flute with Rose engine turned rings and elaborate endacap cost about $900 at the time. " Jessie
I purchased the keyless Wilkes with the Rose engine turned rings and an elaborate endcap in Nov. 2003, the seller lived in New Hampshire at the time, for 1800 dollars. It´s a wonderful flute and I´m still exploring it´s possibilites. Like Brad I thought the rings were a bit over the top at first, but now I´m used to them
i had a friends keyed Wilkes Pratten for a few months, the keys were hand forged, and it was such beautiful flute !!
it needed some work and so i can’t really comment on the tone and response and all that.
i think Chris is happier with his R&R type flutes and rather make those.
if i had money and 20 less flutes, i’d go for the ebay one, who cares about the money, if you don’t but a flute with it, it would go toward some lesser “thing” like paying bills 
i think i would be happier with no electricity but that Wilkes, but i may be wrong, (i’m sure my kids are not going to be happier ).
Tod, Jon…1/3 each?
For my third, I will take the head joint with the fancy rings… 
"For my third, I will take the head joint with the fancy rings… "
what ~ and leave Tod with the back end 
i say, for your third, you will get to have the flute 4 months a year.
i’d like a Grinter as well.
e.
Ok, my thirtieth birthday is this week and I am a couple of weeks away from being done with a particularly difficult pregnancy. I sold all of my Irish flutes (with tuning slides) a while ago. I’m going to bid on this flute.
cool Jessie - second kid !!!
good luck on both (delivery and ebay 
)
eilam.
Thanks, Eilam.