I am going to buy a Copley flute. They are available in a sterling silver lined head or a nickle silver head piece. Does anyone have any comments on the differance between the two? Thank you
If you are an accomplished player you might notice a very slight difference - which is not to say that silver is better.
If you can afford it then go for it. You’ll recoup the investment if and when you sell it.
But I doubt that having a silver slide will make you a better player.
You might ask Dave C himself.
GO NAKED !!! 
ALL WOOD >>> ALL THE WAY!!!
Some of us like to go Natural!!! 
NAKED !!!
ALL WOOD >>> ALL THE WAY!!!
Sillydill said it all. I have a lined and an unlined flute from Dave and play the unlined all the time. Can I use the term “natural” and “warm” with unlined? Not sure but I really enjoy it. There is a “ring?” to the lined heads that I have come to be uncomfortable with and am leaning to all wood for its more “cozy” sound. I’m not in the sound business, if you haven’t guessed it.
BillG
I’ve only owned three flutes so far (hey, I’m still new to this, about 3 yrs or so in the flute world): an Olwell bamboo, a CB folk flute and presently, an all-wood Copley, which I adore. The “all-wood-ness” of it feels and sounds softer/warmer to me than most of the other flutes I’ve played with lined heads. However, I played a Copley with a lined head recently (not sure if it was all-silver or nickel/silver), and really appreciated the differences I found with it—seemed to play crisper and a bit quicker to me with less of the breathiness I sometimes experience with my unlined Copley (though of course this could have just a much to do with my playing ability/learning curve than the flute itself…). Nonetheless, I went away wondering how I’d like a flute with a lined head, but I’m sure I’d still keep the all-wood Copley for its particular character.
When I last spoke with Dave C he mentioned he’d have a demo flute with lined head probably after the first of the year…
cheers -
~S
I had the privelege of having all three Copley models in my house for a week or so courtesy of Dave.
I really liked the unlined, all-wood baby too but the Lined one was a more realistic choice if you needed tuning ability or session punch/volume.
Both were really lovely though. The Partially lined was third of three for me. I personally would go with full lining or no lining rather than compromise. In fact, I might get two heads, one fully lined with slide and one naked without…hmmmm do I feel a bit o’ FlOA coming on?
Doc
Hi Tom
I have an all wood Copley that he made for me , and I’m very happy with it !
Anyway , I have only two flutes at the moment ,Copley and McGee in Polymer) all unlined , I’ve just started to play irish flute since few months ago (4/5), and I’ve never played lined head flutes , so my opinion is very relative to my short experience !
But sure for the price is a very very good irish flute !
Manuel
Dave will make the opposite of what you have easily. I had the lined first then asked him to make the naked unlined one. I carry them in the same pistol case and use which ever is needed at any given time. Nice to have both.
BillG
Jordan, sometimes you scare me. 