Figured you’d like to see the pictures first! Note-they are darker than how they appear in person, but it gives nice detail, so I left them like that.
Hi Folks,
Well, I, like a lot of other fluters here have wondered what Casey’s new Boxwood Folk Flute was like since he announced it. I figured the only real way to tell for myself, is to order one and find out how it plays for me. It’s really the only way to know, as the player is so much a part of the instrument when you play a flute. Listening to someone else play it, whether live or in clips, won’t answer much-you’ve got to play a flute yourself to really find out how it sounds and plays for you, and how you relate to it.
I just got mine last week, which was from the second batch Casey has made since he introduced the new Folk Flute (FF from here on), and I have to say that I am very impressed with it, and very happy I took the initiative to order one! I think this is the nicest FF to come along yet, and especially nice, because it’s an affordable Boxwood flute, something that wasn’t widely available to fluters until now (Bleazey was about the only other maker offering them, but it’s been a while since they were a bargain). So, it seems Casey Burns’ FF is still the best bargain going in a wooden flute for us here in the USA, and even more of a bargain to most EU countries (I would think considering exchange rates) even with import taxes many have to pay, it seems a rather unique flute that is hard to beat, even if were higher priced. Which, thankfully for now, it’s not! So, a big, Thank You Casey for that!
Is it finished as well as his higher priced flutes? No, but I’ll take that more tactile finish anytime, for the price difference. It’s still a lovely flute, and the work is in the details of the tuning and voice-it’s all there. The Boxwood is nice too because it has slight imperfections in the grain (small knots, lines, varying shadings), and possibly some flame now and then, all just adding interest to an otherwise plain grained wood. Much more interesting to look at than Blackwood, but luckily Blackwood has an interesting voice too.
Now to the meat (or roasted vegetables for those inclined): The tone! This is a big, fat toned flute, with a solid bottom end you have to experience to believe, and a nice sounding upper octave besides. More on the order of what you might expect from Casey’s Large Holed Standard he is now offering in his higher end flute line.
It plays very well (nice response) and sounds great (tuning is right on) throughout the scale, and has a voice Boxwood can only give you (at least to my players ear anyway). Oh, and talk about a pleasure to pick up and play-yes, the voice, but besides that, the light weight is really nice-a lot less tiresome to hold for long periods of time (and less strain-especially beginners and people who have health issues) than most other woods-like the older Mopane FF, and most Blackwood and Delrin flutes. And I haven’t heard about anyone being allergic to Boxwood (maybe rarely), so that’s a plus too.
I chose to get the ergonomic hole arrangement, since I play with standard grip up top, which makes it even nicer and more comfortable for me there. The bottom R3 hole is also offset a little (not as much as the top L3 hole) and I find it fine playing with piper’s grip on the bottom hand. Besides that, you now have the option of varying hand position with the split between the hands (unlike previous FF’s).
And what else? Casey’s new quilted cotton fabric case for the FF. It’s really classy looking-not your average ho hum nylon or similar case, and very unique-nice touch, Casey! It also looks like something you would have definitely paid extra for too. I will post some pictures shortly to let you see the flute and bag.
I’m looking forward to hearing this new flutes’ voice maturing and how it will sound over time-it can only get better, even though I’m really pleased with the tone now!
So, all in, it’s an amazing package for the price-thanks, Casey for this new Folk Flute-Very Well Done!
