Looks like it’s sold friends. All the best - Blayne.
Well… Looks like I’ll be heading off to the University of Limerick with Deb (my wife) to get a Masters in Trad this September.
Because it isn’t cheap to go off for 10 months and tuition is due in full by the end of August - I am selling my John Gallagher Pratten 8 Key to help with the costs.
I have been considering this for a while but have been slow to do so because it is such a brilliant flute and I know I will miss it. If you have read my posts regarding this flute you know that I love it. If I might use Jessie’s words “I am an idiot for selling it”. To read a review that I wrote on it go here:
It remains in perfect / new condition as I baby it. If you’re looking for a fully keyed flute with serious, fat, reedy tone - this is it. Also… the keywork is the best I’ve seen. John makes all his keys by hand from solid sterling silver stock. It plays all the way down to low C with ease. Even the low C has power!
I am asking $3500 - that is what I paid for it - it remains in perfect condition.
Here is a picture that I took of his flutes a while back. The one on the right is my Pratten.
Dang Dave, you must really want that education (good for you btw - exciting times!). I know you loved that flute as much as I did mine (starting to get the shakes waiting for mine! ).
If this was a lefty, I’d consider maxing a credit card for it.
As far as curriculum - it is very hands on… I gather that I’ll mostly be studying under artists in residence as opposed to going to “flute class”. I think they brought the Chieftains in this past year. So good high caliber folks… I will also have to write a thesis and complete a recording project. So… lots of playing as it is a degree in performance. As far as I understand there wil be about 20 folks in the program for 2005-6.
I hope your D’Almaine comes together… Mine’s on the shelf right now. It has a small crack that needs fixing - The pads are also shot… My Olwell headjoint fits on it - it actually plays better in tune when tuned to 440 than where it was meant to be (somewhere between D and Eb).
Plan to work your ass off, and to play in every key. You’ll quite probably be under Niall Keegan’s supervision. Good folk come through there, but well worked over. Brendyn Montgomery (after his CD, so expect some changes), Sarah-Jane Woods, etc.
Yes, best of luck, Blayne! Good on ya for going for it – that’s most adventurous … even courageous!
I have a friend who went thru the composition or whatever segment at Limerick (he’s a composer now), and he had a ball. Got to know lots of fun folks, and he’s told me Niall K’s a riot.
Once again, congratulations! I’ll be rooting for you. And finally … (sorry, can’t help myself) if you’ve turned your wonderful Gallagher loose, what flute will you be taking across the water?
Thanks for the encouragement Cathy. I’ll be taking my Olwell Keyless D/Eb combo. If Niall wants me to have keys he’ll have to buy me a flute! Who knows… maybe I’ll find a Pratten or a Rudall at a pawn shop for 5 euro! (not holding my breath…)
Maby you better tote that D’Almaine along for luck. (locktite, silicone and electrical tape as well) Mine hits 440 with the slide extended just about an inch when warmed up…and you’re right it is in better tune then too. Terry mentioned somewhere that when a lot of these flutes were pitched up, they just shortened the heads. The bodies are still in the 435-445 range.
And since you’ll be in Sam & Hammy & Marcus H. and Michael & Desi & all those other great makers’ backyards, maybe that would be the perfect opp to get the D’Almaine looked at!
Good luck Blayne. I’m so excited for you, and am looking forward to your first CD release.
The Humidity would be good for it too! That’s a great idea… The D’Almaine is coming with… By the way… Jack and I have a D’Almaine connection… Turns out that he and I have the same model of D’Almaine… Looks like a large holed Rudall with Sterling Silver Keys - 8 keys. His was rough around the edges so he’s working on restoring it… Mine has a few issues - nothing major. These were the D’Almaine & Co. - Formerly Late Goulding & Almaine… Terry McGee told me that very few flutes were made under them. Apparently 58 with that stamp… Anyway… cool stuff.
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Yep, Niall’s my contact there… He’s the one I sent my audition recordings to.