I have just had an unstamped Wylde 8 keyed flute returned after a bit of tinkering by the Flutemaster, who observed what a very good player it is. A big sound.
It has a cocus body, but a Wilkes Headjoint and barrel in blackwood.
Only £1000 + shipping.
I am expecting another good looking Wylde from the US where it was lurking at a giveaway price needing headjoint restoration ( if the Guru’s experienced eye does not deceive him ) and I already have a couple here for restoration so one must go unless I plan to open a Wylde room somewhere in the house!
Be advised by someone who has handled / repaired dozens of them, I suggest.
There are a lot more unstamped ones than stamped . He was flogging them through lots of people, it appears, from his " Manufactury ".
Late on when the cylindrical flute was threatening his market he was knocking them out through Rudall Rose & Carte dead cheap !
Some Old English makers had distinct little features.
Ahh - now I am holding back the tears! This used to be my flute which I sold to Andrew a while ago. It was not a bad player when I sold it, I was a bad player. However, I got the chance to play it again, complete with it’s new Wilkes headjoint, a month or so ago. This is a first class flute made by one of the greats (and repaired by one of the greats) - and the price is a steal. If you wish to dip your toes in the waters of 8-keyed flutes, I can think of no better way.
flute is sold. it was a pleasure to do business with the ‘wylde, wilkes & andrewk’ flute cartel. the flute is a topclass player.
shed tears no more, bmfw, it has a good home.
Rama, I’m really happy for you, It’s such a nice flute, does it have a smaller embouchure then other flutes you play? how is the volume? is the tone focused and tight, crisp, dark, bight?
what flute were you doing most your playing before this one?
best wishes, eilam.
thanks eilam,
it may not be quite as nice to look at as your r&r! but i tend to play with my eyes shut anyway!
as andrew mentioned, it has a wilkes hj. typical wilkes embouchure hole, nicely cut. i guess it’s somewhat tight, which seems to be my preference. medium-ish toneholes, very smooth, easy on the fingers.
the flute arrived today, so i only just played a few tunes on it. in fact, i played ‘the mossy banks’, thanks to steampacket! my intitial impression is that it seems to have a lovely mellow tone, dark first octave, sweet fairly strong in the second octave. projects well, notably juicy low d. a breeze to play, alot of tone with little wind - notes tend to pop out. as you know, it will take some playing to get into each little nuance of the flute.
prior to that, i’d say most my time has been spent on r&r 4396, among others. thanks for your interest. i’ll keep you posted.
edit: as you can see from the photo, the bad part about this flute is that it only has three toneholes. i never had much use for the botton ones anyway…
it’s a classic, really beautiful flute.
thats exiting, because it will just play better and better as you spend time with it.
is it very deferent from your R&R?
yes, please keep us posted, your sound clips a year or two ago were so nice, once you feel like you know the new flute, would be nice to hear a clip if you can.
take care, eilam.
the two flutes play and sound relatively the same. a couple of notes seem to take on slightly different shape, which of course makes every flute sort of unique and fun, at least to me.
i will see about putting up a clip, just for the ‘halibut’. oh eilam, you would ask, wouldn’t you.
“it seems to have a lovely mellow tone, dark first octave, sweet fairly strong in the second octave. projects well, notably juicy low d. a breeze to play, alot of tone with little wind - notes tend to pop out”
Boy, I can’t tell if I have less delicate (and capable) ears, or I’m just not as articulate! That’s some pretty specific information.
Also, it’s the photo, but the top body piece looks almost bent–weird.
M
You will see if you look carefully, Baggins, that tha box has been built barrel shaped to accommodate the distorted flute.
The flute does have a big sound.
Andrew, did the box warp, and caused the flute to warp with it? or did the flute warp the box?
On the R&R, did the R come before the R or the R come before the R?
you know what I mean
Having just seen the picture, I have signed up for counselling to work through my feelings of loss. This consists of playing 6 parts of The Gold Ring, 3 times through, 3 times a day until the feelings subside.
Seriously, I’m really pleased that the flute was properly restored and found a good home. I’m also very pleased that I got the chance to play it again after it was restored - and just for a second I considered buying it back! I then realised that avoiding divorce and homelessness was more of a priority!
This seems a somewhat churlish response to me. £1000 for an 8-keyed flute, fully restored and given a new headjoint by Chris Wilkes - I don’t think anyone would argue that this was anything other than a great deal.
graham,
trust me, i know the feeling…however, rest assured the flute will be well looked after and appreciated.
as far as ‘dthepeopleskey’'s comment - it is a valid point. i am glad it was mentioned. many readers probably feel the same apprehension (to a degree) as he/she. no harm taken. just so long as andrew is happy and i am happy, who really cares (well, apart from you, a former owner)? i appreciate your concern and support.
