Hmmm … I thought I was going to come up with a really intelligent piece of insight (and please bear in mind that this comes from someone who’s only had a flute, or ever tried to play one, for the past two weeks) … Anyway, I see that Gordon’s already heading this way …
Is there a chance that it isn’t the wood at all? But the type of bore oil, or other treatment, used by whoever had the flute before? I once worked temporarily in a factory which used a lot of white oil. Which is where I discovered that I am severely allergic to white oil. No other type of oil, as far as I know … luckily …
Very true, the allergin is in the oil of the wood, if you oil a cocuswood or cocobolo flute, it will draw out the oil in the wood and if you are allergic to the wood, will have a reaction. The many cocuswood flutes that are over 150 years old, would not cause a alleric reaction. like the fresh stuff. If the flute is waxed instead of oiled, that should help.
I’m sure that various treatments applied to the surfaces of flutes and other instruments are potentially allergenic to unfortunate minorities, and if one developed a sensitivity oneself it would be sensible to include those possibilites in a process of elimination to find the actual cause. However, cocuswood has long been known to cause allergic reactions from even quite casual surface-to-skin contact in a small proportion of the already small part of the population likely to be among those who may come into contact with this very specialised-use, uncommon timber. Rockstro mentions the problem at the turn of the C19th-20th centuries, long before allergies became “fashionable” - indeed, I don’t think he used the word: it was, if I recall aright, one of his arguments in favour of Ebonite, his “ideal” flute material.
I believe those who are sensitive, once sensitised, can suffer a reaction even to just touching very old flutes and regardless of those being sealed with waxes or French polish etc. I daresay newer instruments/younger timber would be worse for them, having greater residual intensity of the toxins, and I’m sure actually working with the stuff, getting its dust into one’s skin and lungs would be a bigger risk - certainly of triggering a reaction if one is liable to such. (Loren???) Fortunately even among the limited population of wooden flute players, most of us do not develop such problems. I’ve only actually personally met a couple in a 30-odd years of activity in the field, and I’ve “e-met” another 4 or 5 here on C&F. Like most allergies, it’s not something to worry about unless you have it! However, it is worth knowing that it is a known possibility with cocus wood and with a few of the other flute tone-woods - so if like Ben you’re new to wooden flutes and you start getting a problem…
It sounds like poor Doc is particularly susceptible!
I do fine with boxwood but I once had a boxwood flute with a finish on it
that caused my lips to burn for quite some time. It was pretty nasty,
in fact. This reaction to these flutes
was widespread.. Plenty of people had it, wrote in about it,
my wife tried the flute and got it. I called the maker and told him.
I’ve got an 1850’s era cocus flute that gives me no problems at all (at least where allergies are concerned). Now playing well is another thing entirely, lol.
Yes, I have: Olwell “Prattens” Blackwood and Cocus side by side, on more than one occasion - meaning I compared more than one blackwood olwell of the same model to the Cocus Olwell I used to own. There was definitely a difference.
What accounts for the difference? IMO (as woodwind maker) it is the combination of wood density and extremely tight grain, the latter allowing the bore to be polished to a more acoustically reflective finish than blackwood.
By the way Doc, welcome to the Cocus Allergy club. Hopefully your exposure to Cocus has not also now sensitized you to Blackwood, as it did me…
Ok, so we know Doc is here now. There’s no getting away from this mate, you have to tell us what flute it is! There’s absolutely no reason not to, everyone here knows that opinions are subjective. But I still have to know. Is it an Olwell? Hamilton?? McGee???
Tell me so I may peacefully enjoy my friday night drams of
whisky
My apologies. I didnt mean to be such a torment. My life has been insane of late. I built and moved into a new vet clinic lately and now everybody thinks I should take care of their dogs! Most disturbing.
Here 'tis:
It’s a McGee Rudall 5088 with improved elliptical embouchure and ivoroid rings and c-nat thumbhole.
If anyone would like to count this as a commercial post I would understand…haven’t had one for a few months anyway.
