I have played several hundred flutes. I’ve been playing the timber flute going on twenty years. I currently play an Olwell cocus, among flutes made by other notable makers. I have owned about a half dozen plastic flutes. Some were good and others not so good.
I love to try new flutes. The best way is to buy them, play them, then sell them along after a while. I generally about break even.
I recently bought a Copley delrin flute, used, from a board member. I cannot believe how good this flute is. I can leave it out, assembled, all day. When I pick it up to play it I am delighted with its quick response, its solid low D, and its good tuning. It will be a long while before I sell this flute along. It is a gem.
I heartily recommend this flute both to beginners as well as to experienced players. It’s a great starter flute and a wonderful second flute for an accomplished player. It’s a fine flute to have in Tucson, where I am now, and to keep in my pack while traveling up the coast, which I will be in a few weeks. If it was blackwood and sounded this good it would be just a good flute. To have this flute in indestructible Delrin is a definite plus.
Dave Copley has no idea that I am posting this - needless to say, I have no financial connection to Dave, other than a casual friendship.
Can you say a little about the weight and balance of this flute? I usually find Delrin flutes heavy, and my Copley, which had a lined head, seemed a little head-heavy to me. Say, relative to an Olwell with an unlined head? TIA.
chas,
I, too, find Delrin a little on the heavy side, but not bad, and yes, this keyless, short footed, unlined Forbes wonder does at first seem just a bit heavy at the head end, but in use it actually balances reasonably well, on the base of the LH finger.
Edit: BTW, I like this flute, with my thanks to Rob Forbes!
The balance is fine. Weight doesn’t matter as much as balance. In any case, you wouldn’t buy a flute based on its weight. It has the delrin, slippery feel to it. But I’m getting used to that. I’ve been playing it on and off throughout the day for the past week.
It’s not lined – no rings – and the balance seems just right.
Coming through Los Angeles?
Kevin Krell
For me the sound clips on Dave’s webside really convinced me to put down my order for my first wooden flute. It was like the sound came from every direction. The wait was only 3 weeks then, that was way back in 2005. I’ve never looked back since, still prefere the Copley sound, and don’t feel the need to try another flute anymore. I can’t say that for accordions though
I tried Cocusflute’s delrin Copley on Sunday and was much impressed. For the money, you absolutely can’t beat it.
Cocusflute, I can attest, is also a lovely flute player and a very nice fellow.
Is it one of these (photo from Doc’s website)?
I always knew that you would finely get won over to delrin flutes!
Hopefully Dave will take over the delrin flute market by storm,and save me from making anymore of them… You can’t go wrong with one of his flutes, utilizing the Hawkes & Sons design, which is the best of both worlds, between Pratten and Rudall. Haven’t played one, but I am sure they are great players.
jon…does that mean you’re gonna give up making delrins??? sniff…there goes a dream too busy with repairs?
berti
Get one from Jon… go wood.
Maybe you can coax him into a key or six.
heh…oh we have talked… 
berti
See how effortlessly I highjack a thread, even when I endorse the competion! I am good… That moderator better keep an eye on this! 
Actually, I would rather have Dave Copley make the delrin flutes, and he is doing a great job! Terry made a keyed Delrin flute, but I don’t think it was very fun. For you Berti, I will make a exception. 
awwwwww Jon… swoon
berti
that’s cuz you’re karma’s so dang good! either that, or your flutes are as good as they say.