the flute is in a new home now (9/1/08)
Come on, Migs. Don’t hold back with the pics. We want pics! We want pics!
very well
forthcoming
Was there a tuning issue with the plugs in place?
Very unlikely with a flute of this caliber. It’s seems more likely that the previous owner felt that the bottom end was stronger without the keys in place, a common opinion.
There could have been a tuning issue with the player. The previous owner of my flute had the same problem when switching from his Rudall to his (now me! hah!) Pratten after he got used to the Rudall and played it exclusively. The Rudall needed a different embouchure for the low D, so the low D on the Pratten was flat. He removed the keys, and tada, tuning on spot. I can play my Pratten in tune with the keys on, but not his Rudall. 
I have no idea why the plugs were removed by the previous owner.
Some people just don’t like them or need them.
But I’d agree that it’s not likely that Wilkes would ever allow a flute on the market with his name to have a “tuning issue” of any kind, particular pewter plugs.
The work necessary to do these Hudson keys, too, would have ensured even more attention to that detail.
Just to clarify - David has told me (and sent me the photos) that show that the previous owner has removed (and lost) the lower part of the keys that carry the plugs. He/she hasn’t mangled the keys to drill out the plugs, or anything.
Also, the head cap is missing.
I have emailed Chris Wilkes to see how much it would cost to get a new head cap and to get the replacement keys/plugs fitted, and to ask about the waiting time, in case he needs to take the flute or the foot so as to bed down the new plugs.
I am willing to share his response (if I get one) with this site, so as to avoid Chris being bombarded with the same question from multiple would-be buyers.
i have sent mike photos of the flute.
i’ve no server to place them, so ifyou’d like, send a note his way for a looksie
dm
I’m a tire-kicker, not a serious buyer, but I’d love to see a photo or two.
Mike sent me some photos, I put them on my server.
Chris Wilkes will do the repairs and general refurbishment for £370 (about $750) but he hasn’t said how soon he could do it or how long it would take.
UK Government would levy 3.2% import duty (on the total price including shipping cost) and then a further 17.5% VAT on the subtotal. That just about puts me out of the game! Cor blimey!
Mike today added to me that Wilkes will only need the flute ~3 weeks to do the task. I’ve not spoken with Chris on this, but I don’t doubt Mike’s information.
For what it’s worth.
dm
Yes, I received 2 emails from Chris Wilkes. The first one verfied the authenticity of the flute, saying he made it for a customer in Arizona around 1992 and quoting £370 for the repairs and refurb. The 2nd said merely “3 weeks”.
bumping
