Hi…I received a keyless small hole Dominic Allan flute a little over a week ago and am finding it to be very impressive. I own or have owned an Olwell Nicholson, Wilkes, M&E, Dixon, and various other flutes that run the gambit from R&R to pratten. I think that Dominic’s type 1 flute has more in common with the 19th century French flutes rather than English, with relatively thin walls and small holes… the headjoint bulge below the slide was also not uncommon. The Allan flute has a large embouchure that seems to nicely complement the smaller bore and holes.
The flute is exceptionally well made, attention to detail is on par with my Wilkes. But how does it play…in one word, beautifully! There is a wide tonal variety possible… it is very different than my other wooden flutes in that this model sounds to me almost like a boehm/irish hybrid with a really sweet high octave and still a nice strong bottom - the D honks quite easily, crispy ornamentation as well - and the flute takes very little air to do this. I was surprised how penetrating the sound of this flute can be - when I checked the decibel output on my computer it wasn’t significantly lower than my Olwell, however, I think it’s a finer, more piercing tone than my other flutes.
I’m on the list for an 8 keyed model and wait times are still short for now. I highly recommend Dominic’s work, and the keys look like they’ll be a great addition - PM me if interested in a sound file… best holiday wishes to all - Tod
Hi Tod,
Nice flute! I like the boxwood rings. Is the flute blackwood? Is it a one piece slide?
I will have to come try your flutes sometime, since you are just up the freeway from me.
Eilam has nothing but good things to say about you…
Jon
Hi Tod,
good to hear you like the flute and are getting an eight key! You will be over the moon with the fully keyed flute. Is this a loan flute?
Hi Jon,
forgive my ignorance, but what is a one piece slide? Do slides not always come in two pieces?
The head is half-lined, the slide goes in partially. It is made of two tubes of nickel-silver, the outer one is silver plated. The flute is blackwood, with decorative boxwood rings. Under the tenon rings is a metal ring for strength. This is how Dominic built my own flute and i assume he built Tod’s flute. It looks the same.
Hi Jon,
forgive my ignorance, but what is a one piece slide? Do slides not always come in two pieces? > >
I was refering to slides like Hoza was making, where he used a delrin sleeve for the female part of the slide. I think he also had the male tube in contact with the wood on his old slides.
We will have to get together Jon, what area are you in? Love to try one of your flutes as well - Tod
That would be great! I am above Highland Park, in Mt Washington. Maybe we can get together later in the month, as I am going to the desert for two weeks…
Jon
