Hi all. I uploaded two versions of the Hills Of Clare using my Firth, Pond & Co. flute. One version using the Jon C. hj, the other using the Abel hj. Any thoughts on tone, etc. appreciated. Thanks in advance. In the posting clips sticky.
Arbo
the John C hj sounds a little bit more pure to me, the Abel a bit darker (more undertones). not sure which you prefer.
are they both fully lined? same wood?
cheers,
eric
The JonC. is lined, the Abel partially lined.
interesting. i usually seem to prefer the lined hjs, but here i think i’d go for the Abel 
no slight to John C; i love his stuff too 
cheers,
e
I much prefer the Jon C hj personally [edited to add: as they sound to me in those two clips]. I agree that it’s purer, but it also has more ‘ring’ to it. To my ear, there’s a funny sort of harsh quality to the Abel hj which I’m not keen on, whereas the Jon C has a nice tone, pure, ringy, but still with enough reediness for interest.
I prefer the clip you have indicated is the Jon C. headjoint. The consistency and sweetness of tone over the range seems to be more suited to playing an air such as this. YMMV for other types of tunes.
I liked the Abel more. The texture of the tone was more pleasing. The Jon C. was a bit harsh for my taste, especially for a slow air, but please understand I am nitpicking.
I like the low octave of the Abell, and the high octave of Jon’s.
Jon C.
Both are nice but you just seem to be producing a nice solid tone on the JC head. I guess it’s what one prefers to hear.
Which head do you have more time on?
Your tone is getting really wonderfully focused and I noticed you are throwing in more finger vibrato. That’s good.
Where did you learn this setting? It sounds familiar.
This was a replacement head for his antique flute, so the original liner was used. It is made from one of the last pieces of cocuswood that matched the original flute very well…
the Abel embouchure has a more modern shape embouchure, which gives a nice clear tone, that is easily played. The embouchure that I cut for his replacement head is more of a traditional round oval, which I think produces a sweeter tone, but is quite a bit more difficult to play. I think it is worth it in the long run, but that is just my two cents worth.
But all in all Arbo, you sound good in both clips, what I hear is Arbo playing in both clips… 
Keep up the good work! 
I do have more time in on the Abell hj. I like both of the hjs. I have to admit that Jon C.'s replacement head does take more effort and to be honest, I am still getting use to it. I think I am moving toward its full potential, but I am not there yet! It is interesting to hear the many comments… just confirms that everyone has a preference for timbre and purity of sound (not to mention playing styles, etc.).
Arbo
P.s. Oh, I think I learned this off of one of the flute obsession cds, though that was a while ago, so I have probably turned this tune into my own…
The tune sounded to me like “Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha” ('Tis My Bitter Sorrow), not as played by Eoghan MacAogáin on Wooden Flute Obsession 1. It’s from his 2nd CD, “The Clare Hills” (also the name of an air he wrote - not this tune).
Fiddler’s Companion has Irish lyrics and translation, and an ABC transcription: http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/SEA.htm (2nd tune)
Kevin Krell
Guess I will have to revisit the cd?
Arbo
The tune is not quite played the same all the way through but if I’m not mistaken the Abell seems a tad brighter, a bit more edge, more harmonics. Do I hear reverb processing? If there was ‘presence’ then all bets are off.
Yes, there is some reverb. The same setting for both clips. Guess I could easily put the up w/o processing.
Arbo
Could we see a photo of each headjoint, showing the embouchure?
Hup,
I will see what I can do. In the meantime, the Jon C. hj is the traditional oval; the Abel hj is a rounded rectangle with a bevel (cut away) on the far side of the embouchure hole. The Abel is unlined, while the Jon C. is lined (with original tube).
Arbo
p.s. Nice sound you are getting out of that flute on your clip. What flute is that?
Looks like a Doyle.
Hup, can you confirm?
arbo
Nope - it’s a Maurice Reviol ‘cast bore’ flute!