How to move head-joint cork stopper

Irish Flute
1

I have recently acquired a Gilles Lehart six-keyed mopane flute, which was purchased from a person who bought it new in 2012. The second octave is noticeably sharp. The stopper is approximately 19 mm from the end. I would like to experiment with moving the stopper closer to 21 or 23 mm out, to see if that flattens the second octave suitably.

However, I don’t know how to property move the cork stopper. On my two McGee flutes, this is easy, with his screw mechanism device. I am afraid to damage the cork or the head joint on my newly acquired flute. Any tips?

Thanks!

Jeff

2

Use a dowel (piece of circular wood with a flat end) that fits into the headjoint and push. Should definitely not harm the flute. Corks are fairly easy to replace. If the cork comes apart when adjusting it, probably means the cork is messed up and needs to be replaced anyways.

3

Dowel works great, but be careful to not damage the cork. Good luck.

4

  1. Remove flute end cap

  2. Position flute headjoint stopper side down in a vise, using padded vice jaws.

  3. Pull pin on hand grenade.

  4. Drop grenade down barrel end of headjoint.

  5. Yell “Fire in the hole!!!”

  6. Take cover, insert fingertips in ears, and wait for loud bang.

  7. Stopper now removed.

5

:smiley:

I have had some old corks come out looking like I used this method. :smiley: