I just got a beautiful, one year old, Lehart ebonie four-keyed flute.
Does anyone know if ebonie is French for ebony or might it be the French word for blackwood?
I’ve only read (limited) about Lehart ebonie flutes. Ebony is so prone to cracking that I’d be surprised that Lehart would use it for his standard wood flute.
Bill
Hi,
a letter I got from Gilles LeHart stated the material as [quote] African Blackwood (Ébonié de Mozambique) [quote]
Hope this helps, Mac
Mac,
Just what I was hoping, i.e., blackwood and not ebony. It doesn’t look like ebony, and now it’s confirmed.
Thank you very much.
Bill
Hi Bill,
you’re welcome, by the way what are the 4 keys, and how do you find the flute?
Mac
edit; typo
[ This Message was edited by: MacEachain on 2003-02-01 17:35 ]
Mac,
The keys are G#, C natural, and a long and short F natural.
There’s a typo in your post, so I’m not sure if you asked “how did I find the flute” or “how do I find the flute”.
I found the flute on the WoodenFlute web site, for sale web page.
I haven’t given the flute a serious evaluation yet. The bore was pretty dry, so I decided to oil it before it started absorbing moisture.
Bill
Hey Bill, I just got a letter from Gilles Lehart telling me that my keyless flute would be ready in Oct. As you might guess I am dying to hear what you think of his flute. I guess the wait isn`t too long in relation to others who are waiting over a year or more for a flute but it is already killing me.
Tom
Bill,
thanks for the info, typo fixed 
Hope you enjoy it (the flute not the typo error)
Cheers, Mac
Best flute in the world! See the first photos on the “Flute Porn” thread for a photo of the Lehart flute I’ve got. It seems to me to be like a large-holed Rudall. It plays easily like a Rudall, but has big Pratten-ish holes. A very graceful instrument!
-Rob-
Man oh man Rob, I have managed to not look at that picture for the last 2 weeks. I had called Mr. Lehart on the 5th. We talked flutes and then I had to write him with the order which I did the following Monday. Then the photo apeared about 8 days later and it just killed me. I had ordered it but had not heard back from him so it wasnt quite real to me. And then yesterday his reply came and the month was set and look out kids its the real thing. So I spent a real nice 15 or 20 minutes just stairing at that work of art. I can hardly wait. 
Tom
On 2003-02-01 23:33, RobBBQ wrote:
See the first photos on the “Flute Porn” thread for a photo of the Lehart flute I’ve got.
-Rob-
Rob,
I saw the photo, and thought your LeHart was one of the most beautiful flutes I’d ever seen. I purchased mine, having forgotten the association of LeHart with the photo.
Mine looks identical, except for an additonal key (long F), and thread wrapped on each side of the tenon corks. I was wondering if the thread was a standard LeHart feature. I guess not. The corks seal tightly, and I don’t think the thread is serving any purpose.
What oil does LeHart recommend? I started mine on flaxseed.
Bill
[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-02-02 07:04 ]
I use almond oil on the flute. I oiled about once weekly during the first month and at this point I oil every 2 or 3 weeks. I haven’t had any problems with the cork joints, although some people had mentioned that their cork joints were a bit loose and as a result may have used thread or teflon tape to tighten the joint up.
I would like to also say that buying a LeHart flute is never a bad call. You won’t go wrong with this instrument.
-Rob-