Galeon 3D printed keyed flutes

Irish Flute
1

I stumbled across these on Ebay, here’s the Galeon site https://www.galeonwhistles.com/keyed-flutes/

I searched the Flute Forum using “Galeon” and “3D printed” and didn’t come up with any discussion of these.

Has anyone played one?

Thanks!

2

Hey Richard…I find these flutes intriguing and have contemplated buying an 8 keyed one since the price is so low (well, relatively speaking of course). However, between my 8 key Wylde and 8 key delrin Copley…I keep thinking do I really need to try a new flute?

There was one prior thread that has one person’s thoughts on them: https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/3d-printed-6-key-flute/105249/1

Eric

3

Thanks!

I don’t know why my searches of the Flute Forum using “Galeon” and “3D printed” didn’t turn it up.

4

Someone needs to buy one of these and thoroughly review them on the board to keep me from buying one needlessly. I’m definitely curious about these flutes…how does the resin body compare tonally to delrin? How good are the keys and how quick is the action with plastic instead of metal on the keys.

Eric

5

I seriously considered buying one of these, but I bought an M&E polymer flute instead. Same idea, similar price, but less goofy-looking (in fact, my flute fools a lot of people into thinking it’s blackwood). It also has metal keys, which is nice. Whether it’s better quality is something I can’t say. All I know is that I like it a lot and people at sessions tell me it plays much like a wooden flute would.

6

I’ve owned four M&Es (keyless, 6 key and two 8 key ebonites)…nothing wrong with them! I honestly find the white flute attractive…not sure why, but I do.

7

The only thing that gives me pause about the design is the nylon keys sitting in resin blocks. I wonder how wear-resistant that is over time? Seems to me that they might loosen up after enough use with the two plastic materials wearing against each other. But then I guess most people wouldn’t be buying this as a lifetime instrument, more of a trial step into the world of keyed flutes.

8

Coincidentally, someone posted this on Youtube a few days ago: https://youtu.be/OvtGsBhlQT8?si=Tz7wIO-kdO9CztfA

9

Thanks for sharing the video!

10

Yes thanks!

As Juan pointed out he’s not doing much with the keys.

I suggested he play one of those Paddy Carty reels in D minor or G minor. Those are great tunes but far easier on Carty’s Radcliff or a Boehm than on an old-system.