Hi all, sure enjoy this site and have learned so much over the last few years from it. Its about time I posted something, so here goes.
I’ve aquired what seems to be one of those garage sale finds we would all like to come across. Its a NACH H. F. Meyer ,Grenadilla, with nine keys. No cracks in the lower sections, slight beginning crack in the top of the headjoint about one inch into the wood. With the slide out about 1/2 inch it plays very well at 440. I’ve had a well know maker take a look at it and he says it is well above the quality of the oldtime Sears versions of these flutes. He says leave the crack alone, its been that way for a looooong time and hasn’t moved. It is broken in by myself, plays beautifully, though quieter compared to my Hammy or Copely, this is to be expected with this type of flute I guess with the smaller holes and all. So here is the bad news, if you can consider it bad!. When I got it, the endcap was missing and the cork dried out. I’ve replaced it with a Robert Bigio endcap and stopper, works great but I would really like to find an original replacement endcap. Also one of the upper keys is slightly mangled, looks like it broke at about the middle where the post/pivot point is and has been soldered back together, would like to replace that too. It has been re-padded. Most of these flutes are in terrible condition when found and prob’ly find their way to the junk heap, but in case any of you out there have pack ratted away any parts that you may wish to part with, please let me know. Thanks all, uh-oh, now that I’ve finished this I have a feeling that I’m gonna get requests for a pic. Just got a digital cam and I’ll try to figure out how to do that. Best, Doug.
I see that there are some of these German flute parts on offer on ebay, presently at $ 20 , in case there is anybody at liberty who finds such things of interest.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10183&item=3777428749&rd=1
Hi Holly, I have an origional Meyer. It is up at <johnygallagher@hotmail.com> (maybe johnny) in Elkins WV being repaired. It has a crack right across the embachure and needs a couple keys. He could duplicate my end cap for you so you would not have to give up your flute while he makes it. His phone is (304)636-8688.
I just bid on the ebay parts that Andrew just pointed out. If someone else is also going to bid, let me know and I won’t bid again. There four bottom sections of Meyer flutes–enough for all to share.
Doug, sounds like you got a nice one. I have a Nach Meyer 9 key (double Bb
key), which I picked up off of ebay a couple of years ago. It has an ebonite head which I have considered replacing with an original, but have yet to persue. The flute was horribly out of tune with itself, namely the f# and the low D. On the advice of a fellow flute player online, I have taken a half- round file, sand paper, and a lot of patience, and enlarged the finger holes and the embrochure hole to get the flute to play in tune with itself, and to get it to play closer to A440. Unlike yourself, this flute is struggling to achieve A440. It is however, identified as an ‘LP’ or low pitched flute. I like the strident tone of the instrument. The date of the instrument is around 1880. I didn’t pay much for it, and have a beautiful R&R that I mainly play, so I felt compelled to experiment on the Meyer. I don’t know if an origanal hj would even work with this flute now that I have altered it. Any info you have on spare parts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Arbo
Thanks all for your answers/comments. I’ll give the fella in West Virginia a call this weekend to see what he’s got, sounds like he may have a junk drawer I’d like to go thru! Sounds like there a a limited number of these flutes out there in playable condition. I can’t believe I have a headjoint that is not repaired (yet?, knock on wood). Looking around out in the networld it is obvious that these are not generally known as great instruments, though one pops up once in awhile. I think I got lucky, and ya know, if it plays well with itself what the hell!! 440 smo40! 
I just won’t use it at session. Have any of you tried the kayak flotation neoprene for replacement pads on your flute?? The lowest two keys are questionable when closed off, though I haven’t used them for anything yet, like I even know what to do with them… take care all, thanks for your responses. Doug