My Boosey Pratten’s Perfected flute (#7676, 20 June 1865) sounds great, but is quite hard to drive. Even with all the pads replaced and sealing well, it takes a lot of pressure and air to fill. Very tiring to play. So I thought… maybe I should ask Patrick Olwell if he would build me a new head joint for the Pratten. Would it work?
But wait… I’ve had an Olwell keyless since 1996 that I don’t play much, since I’m spoiled by having 8 keys… So I tried that head joint on the Pratten. It fit perfectly and … BOOM! and WOW! Now I’ve a hybrid 8-key flute that rocks!
Since Olwell evolved the design of his flutes starting with the Pratten’s Perfected, I guess I’m not surprised the head joint fit and functions perfectly.
Well, you inspired me to try a similar thing; I took my Abel hj, which is usually on my Firth, Pond & Co. flute and put it on my Hudson Pratten (#221). And, I’ll be … It plays easier, though I cannot say about the tuning just yet. I do believe though, that some of the uniqueness of the original sound is lost. Also, the Firth is a Rudall design, so I am assuming the Abel hj was fitted for such an instrument?
Arbo
Well I’ll be… My Firth and Pond is a “Rudall” design rather than “Pratten,” as you can see in my “avatar” picture, where that’s the flute I’m playing.
I haven’t tried other head joints on the F&P, as it plays easily with the original.
For the Boosey Pratten’s, however, the original head joint requires such high wind pressure, it is too tiring to play much. When I need a good workout, I’ll go back to the original, sort of like marathoners in training occasionally do a few sprints. But when I’ve a long gig or session to play, need the easier out. Tone does change somewhat, though, but it is still the brassy one that will cut through the button box sound.
i’ve been doing this “Frankenflute” approach for years.
It’s fun…albeit confusing from time to time.
Currently I play a Rudall with an Olwell headpiece.
get a new headpiece made? good luck. I’ve been waiting 18 months for one from Olwell…that he had promised within six…for a pratten i have that is minus a headpiece. ergo, it doesn’t get played. Sad.
I have Arbo to thank for an introduction to the frankenflute: I have his R+R which has an Olwell head in addition to the original, but I play it only with the Olwell head. Lovely sound, free-blowing, so I don’t get tired easily, and less demanding tuning.
I have recently obtained a modern 8 key hybrid flute (medium bore, but not as straight as a Pratten, medium-large holes) whose sound, response, and keywork I like. However, I find it tiring to play because of the perceived high backpressure. The size of the head tube/barrel tube precluded exchanging the head joints on the modern barrel. Yesterday I put the Olwell head and RR barrel on the modern 8 key, which fit fine. Same experience as Lars. Now the flute is much more free-blowing/less tiring. The sound is a little brighter than with the maker’s head, but still has that punch for sessions, and for me at least, has a little more reediness.
I expect to stick with this pair of frankenflutes because I can use the same head on both flutes, which should minimize difficulties going between playing a small-holed, small bore R+R vs the hybrid.
Well I’ll be… My Firth and Pond is a “Rudall” design rather than “Pratten,” as you can see in my “avatar” picture, where that’s the flute I’m playing.
I haven’t tried other head joints on the F&P, as it plays easily with the original.
Lars,
I am assuming that my Firth, Pond & Co. is a Rudall design (based on the two sectioned body), but I do not know for sure. Anyway, I am thinking of taking the Frankenflute Abel/Hudson out for a spin tonight at a session and check out the tuning, both internal and overall (how far do I need to pull the hj out, etc?). I have the Abel hj and barrel assembly attached to the Hudson.
Arbo
I’m planning to do some home recordings using the two head joints in sequence on the same tune to see if I can hear the difference in tone.
What I’ll hear on a recording will be different from what I experience playing. Be fun to see if I can hear the difference in the recordings. I’ll use my H2 for this project, but won’t get to it until next week likely.
My preferred honker tune is The Coalminers Reel, but I’ve been wanting to put away Green Mountain - have bits of it now. We’ll see what mood I’m in next week.
