I have a Sam Murray Three Key that I never play anymore and I am looking to sell.
The issues…
It has cracks that have been repaired, the top of the end cap has two chips in it that need to be repaired, and lastly bacause of the lack of recent play, the flute has dried out to the point where the rings are falling off.
I probably should be called into Flute Court for abuse of a fine instrument, but I took delivery of two new flutes in the last two years and unfortunatly the Murray has suffered as a result.
So…I would like to find her a nice home, but I am warry of selling it sight unseen to someone because of it’s condition. I think it still plays well, but this is a flute that will need a little TLC to get it back to it’s grand old state.
If any interested buyer is in the NY area, I could show the flute to see if you are interested and negotiate a price based on the state of the instrument. I certainly am willing to discount, but I am not looking to give it away for next to nothing either.
A three key Murray in NYC? Is this the one that once belonged to Arbo?
If so, once brought back to life, it is a monster flute… I was playing an old German flute then, about 12 years ago; he let me try it, and it shook the room.
It is in fact Arbo’s old flute that he sold to me… gosh I guess it was maybe 7 or eight years ago. It was my first flute and it is a monster, or will be again hopefully. I am actually feeling quite sad now that I am thinking about really letting it go, and I will regret it instantly.
The main flute I play is an Ollwel and the second is a John Gallagher, both of them outstanding so it makes the pain of letting it go a little less intense, but, I have to get rid of one of the flutes and the logical decision is the one that gets the least playing time.
I have received some interest so we will see where the old girl ends up.
Arbo,
As her former owner any info to add on when you got it and what you thought of it. I don’t quite remember how old the flute was when you sold it to me and if you bought it from Sam directly?
All good suggestions. Currently the room I keep it in is kept at around 55% humidity and I usually add a little sponge to the case when the central heat turns on regularly around this time of year. I guess that was not enough maintanace as it has been played for perhaps a total of 2 hours over the last two years. It also has not been oiled in at least that same period of time.
If i kept it, I think i would try to get to playing it more and perhaps try at keep it 60% humidity, but with two other flutes and an end of year budget crisis, selling it is the right thing to do.
I offered it to an interested party for a price that I think it is fair and waiting to hear back on an answer. If that offer in not accepted I will try to get back to everyone else who expressed interest to see if we can find a home. If I have not replied to everyone who contacted me initially, my applogoies, I am in the middle of a very busy work period, and my inbox went from 1500 messages to about 4900 in two weeks, so I will try and sort through my mailbox and re-establish contact if stilla vailable.
Hi all. Just wanted to say that I played this flute at a session last week. She’s still got the power! The ring on the barrel was loose, a clear sign that the flute needs humidifying. There are a couple of cracks which have been repaired with a carbon fiber wrap. I think Jon C. could easily redo these repairs so that cosmetically this flute would appear in its original state. It’s a great playeer. I’m sure it will make someone very happy!
Arbo
Jim,
I think the keys are C nat, G#, and long F nat. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t using them when I was playing, and didn’t pay much attention.
Arbo
