Hello all
After much deliberation I’ve decided to offer my Aebi flute for sale. It’s boxwood, 8 keys. The headjoint is semi lined. The tuning slide is silver. I bought it direct from Tom in late 2005 and have played it constantly until just a few weeks ago, in gigs, sessions and for recording. The boxwood has lovely character, and has already started to mellow to a golden colour. The flute comes with the aluminium case that Tom supplied with it. (This is ideal for shipping)
He makes two models of Rudal-type flute. This is the one with larger holes, and with modifications to favour the lower two octaves for trad playing. This is what tom told me about it:, pasted from his email:
‘The flute’s design is made after an original flute of Rudall&Rose (in a collection in Germany). It has quite a special bore, which enhances the fundamentals of the tone. Hence a very round and mellow tone, but with its large holes and embouchure, powerful enough and flexible.
This model is normally ordered with modified tuning: The original flute has extra large holes for B, A and E which make the internal tuning in the lower register quite uneven, but offer very straight forward tuning in the 3rd octave. People who play irish music tend to go for the modified tuning (with somewhat smaller holes for B, A, E) and have less trouble playing the first two octaves in tune. The 3rd octave is still very nicely accessible, but with some options less for alternative fingerings up there - in particular: 3rd octave E has to be played using the G# key. That’s the most apparent difference.’
It’s been well looked after. I had the thread windings replaced with cork (just my personal preference). A sticking key (result of the new flute travelling from dry Switzerland to rainy England) was fixed by a pipemaker I know, and has been fine ever since. One of the key pads has been replaced. It has a lovely sound, which has continued to expand and open up over the year I’ve had it.
I paid the equivalent of £1,572 (GB pounds) for it. I am looking for the same amount at current exchange rates, plus insured postage. I’m in England. To the USA I estimate this at £80 with insurance up to £1500, for the fastest service. There are slower cheaper options). Here’s a photo:
http://homepage.mac.com/drtrishwinter/PhotoAlbum8.html
This is the photo that Tom sent me when he had just made it. It is now a year older, the colour has darkened a little and there is a small amount of discoloration around the embouchure. The photo has come out a bit small on the webpage - I can email a bigger one if anyone wants to scrutinise it more closely!
This is a great flute! I’m selling it as part of my ongoing quest to find the flute that will be manageable for me, as I have a problem with my neck. The aebi has been good for this, as it is so light, but I now have a Rod Cameron 8 key flute that has smaller dimensions that are more manageable for me (and it’s an amazing flute!). I’m a one flute woman, so the Aebi needs a good home now.
I’ll write a proper review when I’ve had more time with it, and post a link to a picture.