In my last topic, when I introduced my flutes made from the black pvc, I was asked about decorative rings for the flute. I have experimented with paint-filled grooves to simulate a ring. I think that the resulting flutes with these rings are beautiful, but I ended up spending a lot of time trying to get the groove rings just right, not to mention the time to apply three coats of paint. I didn’t want to add any cost to my flutes, so I have opted for vinyl adhesive rings, which are equally beautiful, in my opinion. I am offering faux rings in these vinyl designs: gold leaf, patterned gold (small engine turn), silver chrome, brushed silver, silver holographic sparkle (a la Michael Flatley), black marble, and black holographic sparkle. I give more detail at my website on the page, “Dressing Up Your Flute”, if you are interested. Here are a couple of examples.
Sorry, Doug, but I have to say that this development is such a departure from the musical excellence, superior craftsmanship and simple integrity implicit in the by now world renowned and professionally accepted reputation of the Tipple flute, I can’t help but feel this sudden blingy cheapness isn’t going to damage your market position. Even a move to a selling point of $300 from your present $100 would, in my view, do less damage and more good to the Tipple’s reputation and sales …
While (assuming I’m not misreading a joke) I wouldn’t put it that strongly, I can’t help wondering about the longevity of such surface detailing (not exactly ‘3D’ solid silver!). And would also suggest (if you must do this) putting the middle two rings on the LH joint because 1. they’d be strengthening the sockets (not tenons) if there for ‘real’ and 2. you might get a more balanced look by moving them onto that long LH joint (which needs the length to accommodate the sockets you’d normally expect to find on the head and foot?).
The last two comments echo that of my wife’s, however, personally, I don’t equate bling with cheapness. I think that there must be some bling in my otherwise plain and mild-mannered character. My dreams are a dead give-away. Anyway, at my website I wrote:
“Although some people prefer the elegant simplicity of a plain, unadorned flute, others like to decorate their flute to some degree. Flutes in some cultures are carved and painted or wrapped with colored string and feathers. Wooden flutes with multiple pieces usually have metal rings to support the wood at the tenon joints, and these rings of contrasting color from the wood add to the aesthetic balance of the flute. Although polymer flutes (pvc, Delrin, and other plastics) do not need rings, because the material is tough and not likely to crack, faux rings made from adhesive vinyl can substitute for metal rings in a cosmetic sense, and they are easy to remove (or replace) if you decide to do that.”
With regard to Peter’s suggestion, putting the rings on the middle section is probably a good idea, although when the flute is assembled, you can hardly tell the difference.
Doug: Is this a case of male mid-life crisis? Please refer to your wife, who sounds like an eminently sensible, sound solution to this waggishly disastrous adventure …
Not to worry, Keith, as my default flutes come without faux rings. The rings are a no-cost option for the bling-at-heart, like myself. Replying to the Music Theory Guru, the vinyl faux rings are applied directly to the surface of the flute, whereas the grooved rings are filled with paint, or is it that my mind is filled with paint and the grooves are filled with bling, I’m not sure.
Options are nice. I like bling. I don’t have a PVC flute at the moment, I gave all mine away. I’m wondering if there is a naturally occurring ring out there that would fit on a PVC flute. I’ve thought of rubber rings that are sold at hardware stores, I bet one has to be the right size. I would also think that there is a rubber band (gum band for those folks from Pittsburgh) that is the right size and might be in colors so that a person could change colors for events. I wonder where else a person might find things like brass rings or plastic rings that would just happen to fit on a PVC pipe. Craft stores might be a place to look. I bet craft stores would have some serious bling in their jewelry departments. What would really rock is those glow in the dark rave bracelets if they were the size of a PVC pipe.
Actually, I did just make it up, but I thought it was a good choice since our Guru does have a PhD degree in music from a prestigious music school, if I am not mistaken. That’s why he knows every tune in the book.
[quote=“Doug_Tipple”]Not to worry, Keith, as my default flutes come without faux rings.
OK Doug, that’s an elegant compromise, so in response I’d like to order your CLASSIC TIPPLE five piece “C” with wedge and lip plate, IN BLACK (no shiny bling bits ), with OVAL embouchure. OK?
Please send me the total for payment by PAY PAL.
Thanks.
As ever,
Keith.
PS: Please pay my respects to Mrs Tipple and tell her to persist in her efforts to get you to lie down until this blingy fingy goes away …).
OK, like me, you probably dropped out on the last day of class, didn’t finish your final assignment, and didn’t get the degree. I hate recurring dreams. I’m not wrong about our Guru knowing every tune in the book, though.
), with OVAL embouchure. OK?
