It’s finally here. I had given up hope for the evening, swearing under my breath at UPS since it was 7:30 and my online tracking report said it was to be delivered today, when lo and behold — UPS arrived at 7:45! Who knew they worked that late?
First off - the mini review:
Looks & Finish - It looks great. To my eye, quite a bit like blackwood, especially from a few feet away or even closer if you’re not hunting for the grain. It has nice brass rings, well finished holes, removable end cap so you can adjust the cork if need be, and simply appears well made. The tone holes are on the smallish side (Rudallesque?), but the embouchure hole is largish.
Playing - I find it easy to play and get a good tone right off through 2+ octaves. As mentioned in other reviews, it does take a bit of a focused embouchure (but nothing compared to, for example, my Hall crystal flute which I think has a picky embouchure). Sounds great when playing quietly or when being pushed. Has a nice hard low D, and I can sometimes get that growly sound I admire so much in other’s playing but I need to practice to get that consistently. After a brief spin around my tuner just now, it’s in tune through 2 octaves with a nice
0XX 000 C natural.
Overall, I’m exceptionally happy with the flute, and I think it’s inspired me to go check out my local slow session after I’ve practiced a bit more with it. As I said earlier, it sounds great now, but there are times when I’ve played it tonight (I’ve played about 2 hours so far - one of the bonuses of a new polymer flute vs. wood) that I hear what it could sound like if only I was a better player and knew this particular flute better.
Now for the questions:
Since it’s polymer/delrin, what kind of cork grease should I use? Any problem with plain old Vasoline or chapstick with delrin? Or, do I not need any cork grease?
I know it won’t hurt the delrin for me to leave it together, but will it hurt the cork?
Any advice on a good cheap flute case? Do you think a used silver flute case would work?
re: affordable cases. Dave Copley sends his flutes out in (I think) a handgun case: molded plastic with foam inserts that squeeze the flute in when closed. Can be had for less than $10 at many sporting goods stores.
Aaron - Great idea from Dave. Thanks for the link. I would never have thought of using a pistol case. My only fear is that I’d like to take my flute to play at lunch down where I work, but I’m not sure they’d like to see a pistol case these days since I work in our local Federal Office Building…
Michele - hang in there! It’s a wonderful flute. Any idea how much longer you have to wait?
Pleased you like your Dixon,Jay.They really are great ‘bang for the buck’! I was playing mine the last couple of days,after laying off flute for a while(not a good idea),and was surprised at the sound-I’d kind of forgotten just how good it is when you hit that ‘sweet spot’.Enjoy!
As I was leaving for work this morning, I realized I HAD to take the flute with me. After all, it should be about 45 by lunchtime and I can go play in a nearby park.
While waiting for the bus, in cool 20 degree weather, I broke down and played while waiting for the bus!
Oh the joys of polymer! I’ll be able to effectively triple my practice time without my wife complaining that she never sees me anymore!
JayHawk - the gun case is plastic and looks more like a lunch box than a pistol case. I have two such cases - two diferent sizes for two different flutes - and no one would know, or care, what’s in them. So the worst thing happens they open it and find a flute!!
Any type of cork grease should be fine. Just pick up a tube at your local music shop.
If you have cork lapping on the joints, leaving the flute assembled 24/7/365 is probably not a good idea as the cork may compress and the joints may loosen.
I do keep my polymer flutes assembled, but the Seery has wrapped tenon and the M&E flutes just have friction-fit tenons.
Eric, I know exactly what you mean about going out to play in 20 degree weather! I’ve been taking my little Dixon D whistle out to the car in the parking lot during my lunch hour. I think it was only 8 degrees when I sat out there with the heater on a few days ago!
When my Dixon Polymer flute finally arrives, I imagine I’ll have to switch to playing THAT in the car instead.
I have no idea when my flute will ship. It may be while I’m on vacation in Texas for a week. I’m leaving Saturday and will certainly be glad to experience warmer weather.
Thom at The Whistle Shop said delivery would take 2 to 3 weeks. So, I may still have another week to wait after my return.
Anyway, I’m glad to hear you’re happy with your new flute. From your description of it, I think the Dixon will turn out to be a good first keyless flute for me.
