Hi All, looking for suggestions for a relatively inexpensive Bflat flute in Delrin or other easy maintainable materials. By inexpensive, something within $400 is what I mean approximately, but cheaper the better, if it exists at all!
Closest I found is in Galway, Ireland, 500 € V.A.T not included for B flat pitch. (VAT might not be charged for an international sale).
Vincenzo Di Mauro
http://www.vdmflutes.com/UK/Delrinuk.html
If you’re interested in a DiMauro instrument, you might check with him directly. About a year and a half ago I bought a very stripped down model from him at well below the 500 Euro price, including case and shipping.
Best wishes,
Steve
Thanks, these look perfect!
Are there any US based makers doing these too (given the current times)?
Ellis Flutes has a Bb Essential Flute advertised as in stock at $399. I’ve never seen or played one in person, but the Essential Flutes have gotten good reviews.
Best wishes.
Steve
Different in that it is cylindrical (with head taper to correct tuning).
What is your experience with your Di Mauro?
I purchased it for a specific project. It worked very well for that. The flute was in-tune (it called for a 0X0XXX Cnat) and had the big, haunting sound of a Bb. However, because of the size of the flute and the size of my hands, it was not destined to remain with me. Perhaps I would have become accustomed to the size, but it was just too big for me to play much other than slow, languid tunes.
It was well made, arrived quickly, had a case, and was at a price where I could take a chance. It worked out fine.
One interesting quirk is that the packing material for the shipment from Ireland was not the usual styrofoam pellets but, instead, the shavings of delrin from the turning of the flute.
Best wishes.
Steve
Delrin is heavy, so the shavings either took up a lot of space easily, or was already well within the weight margin for that type of shipment.