Hi I am new to chiff & Fipple I am a musician living in Cambridge, UK, and have over the last few years moved into the wooden flute world from 35 years of silver flutes. I have a de Keyzer D and an old German rudall which has all the tuneing problems that you would expect. How can this flute be improved for tuning and tone other than playing technique.
I hava a similar flute which I purchased from germany, via ebay naturally, after re-padding with synthetic self adhesive pads from Windcraft Ltd I sent mine to Jon c who was able to fine tune it and sort a couple of problems for me and it plays wonderfully; what Jon charged me, including postage to the USA and back, was less than I’ve paid locally, in the past to have a couple of keys on a clarinet tweaked.
Jon, rightfully, has a wonderful reputation with these flutes and if anything can be done to improve it’s tuning and playability he’s the man to do it.
Oh and ignore any cries of firewood from board members; some are some aren’t, mine isn’t. 
But some are and thats the rub.
I’ve got a few. Some need a little work others a lot.
I’ve played one of Jon’s turbofied old Germans and it played rather well.
I believe that one he had actually re-reamed to a new bore profile.
I was told that its only possible if there is enough wood to begin with though.
Doc Jones still has one for sale I think.
Hi,
Welcome to the site.
The flute can be tweaked some, but You will still not have the tuning that you are used to with a silver flute. I would say that the tuning can be improved, though, it also depends on how far off the tuning is. I have re-reamed German flutes, mainly when the first and second octave are way out of tune with each other.
Thanks for advice, I love the tone of my old german and it is great fun to play, light and flexible with a very sweet tone. I can also get quite a volume from it when needed. People always remark on its tone in slow solo airs, being also a jazz player in latin styles the keys are of great use. I am in the market for a second hand Hammy or Ormiston 6 key any one out there?
[‘Music, here the spirit may find home and relief when all else fails’.
EricFenby
Doc Jones has a used Hammy on his site:
http://irishflutestore.com/newsite/products.php?pf=1
But not a 6-key. And it has a McGee head.
Kevin Krell
details, details… 