Okay, this is one of those times when I look to this community for real help. Some of you may remember that a short time back, I was looking for help because I am losing sensitivity in my fingers. It is a condition known as peripheral neuropathy for which there is no cure. I have it at bay, more or less, and I am now using a modified pipers grip (flat fingered, but not below the first joint) which has helped greatly. That’s the back story; here’s what I need help to decide:
I really, really love my vintage eight-key, which was made in London in 1882 by a little-known maker. In all the years I’ve had this flute, I have never come across another of his for sale or seen one owned by another flute player. Now I may have the chance to buy a Siccama made by the same maker. What interests me is the notion of having a key for G and D, which are the two notes I’m most apt to not coverly properly when I play due to the sensitivity issue. I’m thinking a Siccama may be a great answer for me, and the thought of having one by the same maker gives me chills.
So, now I would like to hear your input on this notion. Also, I’m thinking that there isn’t much of a market for Siccamas and my maker is not one who is sought after, so with regard to price, does anyone have an idea of what would be reasonable? Asking is $1,875. I wasn’t in the market for a flute, but I am sorely tempted to get this one if all works out for me. Thoughts?
Others will know better, and the price you mention for the flute sounds reasonable, given the prices I’ve
seen for such flutes before. However if it was me I would really want a chance to try it before buying it,
or to return it if it wasn’t for me.
Also, if I may, if you haven’t done it, I would really recommend finding a first-rate specialist (e.g. a hand surgeon)
at a university med school hospital and get a second (or third) opinion as to what’s happening to you physically.
Track down the best. Even if you have to travel. There really can be a practical difference, in my experience.
Yes, I can return it. Didn’t ask about the keys. Mine are nickel, so I assumed the same, but I will find out. I don’t care - how much will that influence the price?
Arbo, I have never set up an account to publish pictures, but there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the appearance of my flute. It is a very nice cocus wood, with black and orange grain. There are plain metal rings at each junction, and the flute is in five sections. It is a Pratten with an oval embouchure. Very light and well balanced with a fully-lined head. Very accurate relative and overall pitch. Meaty low end and very sweet in the highs. Low C# and C response is very easy and good.
It depends… What are the conditions of the flute? Does it play at A=440hz?
I’d say that the price is quite high, but not too much if the answers to the previous two questions are “good” and “yes”. Of course, it also depends on how it plays. Given your affection for this particular maker and your finger conditions, this might be a one in lifetime chance, if this happened to me I personally wouldn’t care too much for the relatively high price (if the flute plays decently of course).
One of the reasons I’m intrigued is because I am making the assumption that the level of quality will be consistent with mine. The present condition of the flute is paramount, but as you say, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity that frankly has me on pins and needles.
In my experience the difference between silver and nickel keys can be $1,000 or more. Silver keys were generally put on better flutes. Nickel keys weren’t generally put on a maker’s best flutes. But this is not consistently true, as “generally” would imply.
If you have played the flute and you like it, and it suits you, then $1,800 isn’t a lot of money for a good keyed flute. People spend a lot more for a flute. Go for it is my advice.
If you like … ImageShack and Photobucket are both popular for hosting and posting images here on the Chiffboard. Both are free, and neither requires an account, registration, or personal information.
Is it the hobgoblin one? You may be able to find a cheaper sicc ama system out there? If you’re keeping the other one you seem to like it may be great to have the matching set. Is it worth the premium, cubits seem rare enough?
I’d say go for it, subject to obvious caveats about getting fullest possible info about condition. I’d suspect that any retail dealer like Hobgoblin will inflate the price significantly and that you could not be sure of recovering more than about 2/3rds of it, if that, should you decide to sell it after the trial & return period expires. But in the circumstances, even if it requires (expenditure on) overhaul once you get it (very likely from Hobgoblin), it sounds as though it is probably worth it to you. Certainly a Siccama design could well help with your practical difficulties.
Alan have you talked to David Shorey? He very well might have what you are looking for and perhaps you could get him to lend one for a trial. He is in Culver City and I’m pretty sure here on the board. I would contact him.
Sorry to hear about your PN difficulties, I have had this for 25 years, myself. Fornutatly for me, I don’t have weakness in the hands, just pain…
Make sure the Siccama, does not have the Brill key on the upper joint, (German spectacles) as these are hard to seal, and take more pressure. There was a lovely Siccama, that just sold on eBay, for around $750, looks to have maybe been made from an American maker, Monzani, though it wasn’t stamped…
I remember your flute, it was a good player.
Cubitt, are you sure its the type of flute that aggravates your problem, rather than issues with your particular flute, over time? The reason I ask is that I’ve found some tendonitis, trigger-finger, etc. issues with particular flutes - even one’s I’d been playing a while (maybe because I’d been playing them a while). These flutes all have different hole distances, sizes, key placements, tube circumference, whatever - a difference of a few mm can make a difference. A Siccama might help, but it also might bring in newer issues, since you’ll be playing with slightly different fingerings at speed, too. It might be simpler, maybe cheaper, to just try other keyed flutes for a bit in the same configuration(s) that you are more comfortable with on your current main instrument. Looks like a great flute, BTW…
Thanks, Peri. I have checked the online inventory of the Shorey’s and they had no Siccamas. Would you recommend calling him?
I actually am doing better than I was. On the recommendation of an acupuncturist, I started a course of OTC high-potency B-12 that I have been on for a few months now. I know I’ve improved because I not only play better but my typing has also noticeably improved. I wanted to see how far I could get on the B-12 before actually trying acupuncture, but I’m planning to have a go with that in 2012 and will report back here.
