Metzler flute [spotted] on ebay

Not sure if anyone is interested but there’s a Metzler currently posted on Ebay.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/131055344566?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

Nice - also this old flute:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-African-Black-Wood-Flute-with-case/261333761217?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18241%26meid%3D2952821926838517781%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D8344%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D131055344566%26

Looks very much like an anonymous AL stamped flute I used to have including the box, and rings. Mine was pin mounted but same looking keys.

Re the Metzler , those look pretty big for “hairline cracks”, the pads look to be in an awful condition , no c nat key , having said that I think it looks nice!
(no I’m not bidding)

Vendor of Metzler’s vaunted research not too good - Langwill has Metzler at 105 Wardour St. from 1812 and seemingly with that simple form of the firm name until the mid-1830s (not clear when it changed in my 5th Edn) - a much more sensible date range for the general style of the flute. The auction house were well off dating it pre C19th! Given the period, it is probably happiest tuned in the A=430 or even lower range - not saying it won’t play at 440 usably, but not likely to be its best tone and intonation. It is very pretty, though the lack of long C and F keys would put me off it.

That other flute with the nastily-visibly pinned cracks is on its 3rd relisting.

Wow! “Common hairline cracks.” I swear you can see right through one of them, and the embouchure hole is completely distorted. (Yes, I know these things can be fixed, but still …)

If it is like the early Metzler I had, the tuning was more in the 425 range. The foot is probably 145mm and you notice the space between the E hole and the foot. So expect a flat foot of 50+cents.

“A fool and his/ her money are soon parted.”

Pretty much sums up my life… :sniffle:

Surely not Jon, you, in my mind, would be one of the exceptions to the rule.

My last post didn’t sound quite right, what I meant to say, Jon, is that you’re certainly no fool!!! When I looked at that Metzler Flute, all I could see is a lot of expense/ time, and the bid starting at $800.00 was a lot considering the condition (IMO), especially those “normal hair line cracks” which looked like you could drive a beer truck through.

Well, I have a few of these in the pile of flutes, just sayin…

It’s fine line between flute maker and lamp craftsman. :smiley:

I actually thought that Metzler looks pretty fantastic. Those ivory rings are special and give a really nice effect. Not something you see everyday. Flutes like this deserve to be brought back. I wish I had the skills to do that kind of work myself.