There’s a Paddy Ward 6 key flute(need a keyed flute) that will be available soon, and I am trying come up with cash quick so I can put something down on it, hence this flute has to go. I received it last week, and gave it a good oiling, and also cleaned the tuning slide and got it working so it’s a lot easier to move(had some brass dust in it). The flute was made by Gonzalo Caride in Galicia…he is my favorite gaita maker, also an excellent flute maker. It’s made of blackwood, with engraved(nice looking) brass rings, and 1 brass Eb key, with although simple in appearance works quite well.
I did some modifications this past weekend to increase the volume and tone of this flute. After doing some tweaking with the embouchure hole(opened it up, and made it more symetrical), and adjusting the cork. I would say this flute ranks about the same as a blackwood Ralph Sweet when it comes to tone and volume…maybe a bit louder. l think this would also be a great flute for someone with smaller hands, as it has smaller sized holes, and isn’t too heavy. It cross fingers really well, and with the Eb key it’s basically chromatic. There is about a 8 month to 1 year wait to get instruments from Gonzalo, he has become a very popular maker, and rightfully so. Paid 600 Euro a year ago when I ordered it, would take $600 for it, no less, otherwise I rather hang on to it.
If you want to see more pics of it let me know. The picture above it from before I worked on it, and oiled it, it’s a tad darker, and the embouchure hole is slightly larger now since I widened it to the proper specs.
Would rank it about the same as a Ralph Sweet in blackwood if you are familiar with that…in other words in the middle of the spectrum as far as volume…not as quiet as a German flute, but not as loud as a Prattern.
Here is a photo that shows the modification I made to the headjoint. As you can see the profile of the embouchure hole is different now as far as width, and I have the interior cut at what I feel is a more appropriate angle so I am able to get a more consistent, and full sound. Wouldn’t recommend anyone just go and do it to there prized flute, I build bansuri, and other flutes, so I am familiar with doing these sort of mods.
I did some modifications this past weekend to increase the volume and tone of this flute. After doing some tweaking with the embouchure hole(opened it up, and made it more symetrical), adjusting the angle of the cutting edge, and adjusting the cork.
Hmm… is it normal to buy a new flute and then start hacking into the embouchure hole…?
