Looking for a keyless flute

Irish Flute
1

Hello all. I am not new to C&F but it’s been quite awhile and I can’t remember my former identity (that’s funny). I am looking to see if it’s possible to find a simple keyless flute in wood for pretty close to $150.00 US money. I have seen Angus keyless cocuswood in D and it works out to around 159 with shipping but I really don’t know anything about their stuff. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And, I would prefer not to get delrin but will consider all options.

Thanks in advance

Steve

2

Cocus wood is extremely expensive. Are you sure it is cocus? Usually flute makers charge hundreds of extra dollars to have a flute made in that wood.

3

Pipersgrip here’s the link. Reading it a little more closer it says that it’s from another maker??? Not sure about that.

http://www.angusfifes.com/

go to flutes and you’ll see the one on the left and all the way at the bottom is says 90 pounds…??

Steve

4

I just looked at his site and flutes, and that doesn’t look like cocuswood. Unless there is another type that I don’t know about. I wouldn’t trust him if he doesn’t know his woods.

5

I am sorry to tell you, but that looks Middle Eastern. If it is, stay away from it. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to find a playable wooden flute for 150. I would try a plastic one.

6

It’s Pakistan cocus wood. It’s a genus of copro. You can Google copro to see the characteristics of this all too common wood. It’s common in England and the US as well. Ireland too.

7

Thanks Pipersgrip. Gotta change strategies now.

Steve

8

seems about right: $150 for a crappy flute; $400 to fix it.

try bamboo. you’ll likely have a better shot at meeting the budget.

9

What about this one:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220805297082&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&autorefresh=true#ht_500wt_1148


It’s way below your budget, and even has a key.

The major worry is the description by the vendor: ‘a good piercing shrill to it’.

Maybe high D lovers will find some delight in this?

10

I think he is looking for a flute. That is a fife.

11

It shows as being sold to. Thanks though

12

49 cm is too long for a fife, no? That length puts it in the range of an F flute.

13

ebay #: 300571539183
$40 including shipping…can’t beat this.

14

To be honest, I don’t know when a fife becomes a flute or vice versa.

15

fifes typically are in the key of Bb or C, are higher pitched flutes in the “piccolo” range.
Fifes usually are about 15" long.

American fifes are often one-piece instruments with ferrules of metal at the ends, some longer than others. Often have no keys.

Band fifes can be fully keyed or just one key (pinkey).

16

My working definition is: pitched in Bb or above (piccolo range), and optimized to be played mainly in the 2nd and 3rd octaves. But I’m sure that definition lacks nuance. :slight_smile:

[ Cross-posted with David. ]

17

I’d also suggest bamboo for something in this range. Check Billy Miller’s offerings at http://www.windwoodflutes.com.

And the Greek version Coprolites…

Best wishes.

Steve

18

Thanks for all the advice and help. I ended up deciding on a rim blown flute.


Steve

19

And, to be nosy, what kind of rim-blown flute; what maker?

Best wishes.

Steve

20

Hey Steve. It was an anasazi in the key of A from Mike Turner made out of flamed box elder. Gonna be a whole new experience for me…

Steve