Hi Everyone,
I’m looking for a wooden flute that has great tone and doesn’t cost too much. I am new to the forum and would love any suggestions you all might have. I love the timbre of the wooden flute and was wondering which one to buy and where to find it.
Thank you all for your help!
–KR
There are two questions you should answer before we can help you:
How much are you interested/willing to pay?
And
How long are you willing to wait?
The answers to these questions will help us give you some answers.
Cheers,
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2001-12-14 12:15 ]
Hi Loren,
I guess I am willing to pay from $300 to $1,000.
Waiting is not a problem. Would like to get one sooner than later, though.
Thank you for your help!
–KR
Those Copley’s look very nice. Thank you, JessieK!
Any other good choices?
–KR
I’d also say go for the Copley if you want a great flute, at a good price in in (well) under a year.
If you don’t mind spending twice as much and waiting at least a year, you could go for an Olwell Pratten or Nicholson.
There are other good flutes out there: I don’t know what the wait for one of Hammy Hamilton’s keyless flutes is at the moment, but virtually all the other (big) name makers have waiting lists of any where from 1-6 years.
Personally, I like my Copley better than any other flute I’ve played so far (Healy , Hoza, Grinter), and I’ll be getting keys for it when Dave gets to the point where he’s offering them. In all fairness, I haven’t played a Hamilton or Olwell though, not for lack of trying mind you 
I’m sure others here will get around to making some suggestions as well, just give 'em time…
Loren
Loren, is that in the cards? Dave
C will one day modify the present
6 whole flutes by adding keys?
If so I can only say: Oh Boy!
I agree with all of the above about
Dave Copley’s flutes–adding that
I’m no expert on flutes. Every indication,
though, that this is a good way
to get the most toot for your buck.
Under $1000 and you’re serious about playing? Copley or Hamilton.
My two cents,
Chris
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Here are a few more questions–I appreciate the help!
Should I go for the keyed version upfront or wait to get the keys later?
If you could buy a flute for $1000 to $2000, what would your first choice be?
And is there a flute that works better for small hands with limited reach?
Also, I notice that no lead times are listed for Copley or Hamilton on their websites. What can I expect for a wait?
Cheers,
–KR
[ This Message was edited by: KelticRazor on 2001-12-14 19:49 ]
Copley’s current delivery estimate is May 2002. So that’s about five months. Hammy Hamilton’s wait is about five to eight months, and because of the climate change between Ireland and the USA, some of Hammy’s flutes need to be treated later for cracks.
Between $1000 and $2000, Olwell, hands down. The wait is a little over a year.
Jessie
Welcome KR. About 6 months ago, I was asking the same question. Have fun searching - that seems to be half the fun
The last time that I talked with Patrick Olwell, the price for a 5 key was $2395 with a promised delivery date of 3-4 years. I have several of Olwell’s bamboo flutes and the workmanship and playability is wonderful - so I have no doubt that his other flutes are top notch as well.
Since that time, however, I have placed an order with George Ormiston for a considerably less priced 5 key (around $1500). Since I don’t own it yet, I can’t comment on it’s playablility, but lately he has been getting wonderful reviews both here and on the woodenflute list. His wait is around 1 year for a keyed instrument.
From the several convesations that we’ve had he has been very pleasant to work with. I am actually going to visit his workshop this coming spring; he indicated that he might even try to have it for me by then. We’ll see
Anyway, it’s another option for you. The web address is: http://www.ormistonflutes.fsnet.co.uk/
Erik
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-12-15 02:31 ]
Many Thanks, Erik!
The Ormiston’s look beautiful!
–KR