What are the differences in Forbes and Somers Pratten Delrin flutes? Is one heavier? I noticed that Doc at Irish Flute Store has a 5 piece Somers for sale. I did some research and seems like a lot of favorable reviews for Forbes but less info overall about Somers, although what’s out there is favorable.
I haven’t played the Forbes, but I’ve got experience with the Somers, Seery and a variety of good wooden flutes as well.
I very much liked the delrin Seery Pratten I had, although it was somewhat roughly finished, and rather slick. The tuning slide was great, but the embouchure and tone holes felt sharp to the touch. That said, it had a great, honking Pratten tone, and I took it to sessions for a long time.
The Somers, IMHO, is a step up. It plays like a top-drawer blackwood Pratten, and is crafted as well as any. It has a matte finish, and from a few feet away you wouldn’t know it’s delrin. It even feels like wood (almost), and sounds like (guess what) a big, honking Pratten. I do think it’s somewhat slimmer than the Seery, though, and probably lighter. It actually feels and plays A LOT like my blackwood McGee Rudall Perfected.
Thumbs up, and highly recommended!