Hi guys, I think I have fallen in love with the dry, reedy and rich tone I hear from good players who use R&Rs, and I’m toying with the idea of trying to get one. What would be the best way of getting a good original R&R?
And if its not feasible for me to get a good R&R, which modern maker makes flutes that are very close to the real R&Rs in tone? Somehow the most favoured makers of R&R style flutes (Wilkes and Grinter) make flutes that don’t really sound as dry as I hear R&Rs are on recordings. Sam Murray flutes on the other hand seem to fit the “dryness” criteria, but I’ve heard a few horror stories about his inexistant customer service.
[ This Message was edited by: Eldarion on 2002-09-17 08:34 ]
He does not have any Rudall and Rose instruments listed on his site, but I think that many of his flutes sell to people on his mailing list without ever making it onto the web site.
If you are looking for an original Rudall and Rose, you should be prepared to pay a lot for antique value and for the name. Also, there are good ones and bad ones, especially after 170-odd years of wear and tear. I think you could get better value for money from a modern maker.
And the other thing is that a modern maker will have done some fiddling with the tuning to make it work more easily. If you play an original R&R, you’ve nearly always got to vent a key or two and lip around to get the notes in tune. Something they all did in the 19th century, and which does become second nature but which takes some getting used to.
That said, of course, there’s a certain je ne sais quoi about playing The Real Deal. It’s a cool experience, particularly if you’ve got a nice one.
As for modern makers, in addition to the ones mentioned don’t forget Bryan Byrne, whose Rudall/Rose instruments are excellent. I like to bring his name up because I think his work is very good but, not being as prolific as some of the Big Boys, his stuff is less-well-known. I play a Byrne keyless E-flat in blackwood and it’s just great.
Oh well I think I’ll stick with a modern flute that sounds like a good Rudall in that case, with all the inconsistency and cost issues at hand.
Hehe Stuart, I kinda knew you were going to bring in a Bryan Byrne endorsement! Are Byrne flutes inclined to producing a dry, reedy, rich tone? If so I might go for one since Sam Murray has such a bad customer handling reputation. Is there any where I can hear a sound sample of a Byrne flute?
To the rest of the guys, what other flutes are inclined to producing this kind of dry Rudall tone? Hamiltons? Cotters?
[ This Message was edited by: Eldarion on 2002-09-19 00:13 ]
The going rate for Rudall & Rose originals in the UK/Europe area are about 3,000 pounds sterling, or about $4,500+ US
The truly exceptional ones are much more.
In the USA, the good ones are about $3,500-$4,000
eBay ones often sell cheaper, but the quality is suspect unless you know the seller.
I know of one fellow in the UK looking to sell a Rudall with repaired head joint (not uncommon) for under the 3000 pound price (think it’s 2,800 or so). Another gent has a boxwood Rudall with medium holes for the 3000, but he’s also in the UK and will only sell face-to-face.
Email me off list with questions.
I’ve got Rudall #1477 and #7007 that I might consider selling. The first with medium holes and and second with large holes.
My personal Rudall (#6206), of course, is not available.
