Since you seem torn between two poles, why not just go with the middle option (improved elliptical)? As a beginner, you won’t be equipped to assess the relative merits of different cuts. Quality of workmanship matters much more than the architectural details, as it were, for the first number of years. You’ll be getting a good flute, whatever the cut, and therefore, you’ll be able to learn on it.
+1
Denny just said it all.
The eccentric head increases the depth of the riser, or chimney, but that won’t make sense to you until you know the difference.
I’d say, that if the maker is ever so kindly willing to allow you to try a variety of heads, then please, by all means, take up the offer!
Experience, as it is said, is the best of teachers.
+1, again!
This is a very practical approach.
Not to muddy the waters any, but quite a lot goes into the sound a flute makes. A “dark” sound usually comes from the player’s embouchure, not the embouchure cut (IMO, of course). The choice of cut seems to be a matter of taste and - not surprisingly - a matter of whether your embouchure works well with it, after adjustments are made to accomodate the change. A new-ish player will adjust to whatever their flute has on it, and accomodate to it.
Of the three McGees I’ve played, with at least two different cuts that I recall, both flutes sounded remarkably like McGees, and a good deal like me, playing a McGee. I think Terry tweaks his embouchures, regardless of shape, until he’s satisfied with its sound. Which is great, 'cept he has (as do all makers) very firm ideas what sounds he likes. So, in spite of the variety of cuts, the flutes sounded - to my ear - fairly consistently like McGee flutes. This is not a good or bad thing - just saying that the cut(s) alone will not make the flute sound entirely different from another McGee with a different cut.
All of this may mean very little, in the long run; just pointing out that various flutes from different makers, with essentially the same shaped embouchure cuts, will give a player a far wider range of sounds than flutes by the same maker with a wide variety of embouchure cuts.
At least in my experience, which - of course - cannot be the same as everyone else’s.
Man, this sounds familiar. When I ordered my GLP from Terry three years ago (can it really be that long???), I asked him and his response was for me to try the Improved elliptical. Then, if I didn’t like it, I could send it back and he could recut it into a rounded rectangle. However, this couldn’t be done in the reverse order. Please check with Terry and verify that I’m remembering correctly. Anyway, that’s what I did, and I really like the improved elliptical. Also, get the eccentric head. The deeper chimney is a definite plus.
Good luck,
Dow
now we’re separating the good flute makers from the truly great ones!!!
anyone can make a hole bigger 
Actually, a larger hole could be reduced in size by inserting a bushing, to then be re-cut.
Ah, the wonders of machining!
Just be prepared to pay the price.
there ya go!
one head joint, three inserts!!!
elliptical for sure.
Terry’s Elliptical is easy to play compared to most makers’ flutes. Terry, as I said, cuts a great embouchure. I learned on a much smaller-embouchured flute in complete isoaltion from other players. You’ll be fine.
I suggest elimintaing “harder to play” from your decison process. It’s not really relevant in the long run and, as others have said, in the short run they’re all “hard to play”.
Sorry you aren’t closer. I’d be hapy to have you play some tooters here.
I’ve just spent some time with both elliptical and rounded rectangles here. Love them both. The elliptical has slightly more “edge” the RR is warmer and, to my ear, richer. I don’t know what dark means to you. As someone clever once said “writing about music is like dancing about architecture.”
If you’re a true novice player, I’d strongly recommend you get another flute to practice on until your McGee is ready, then you’ll be in a much better position to evaluate the heads when he sends them.
Doc
I live in Malvern Worcestershire. PM me if you want to come across and I’ll give you my full Address. As I said, I haven’t got the elliptical just yet though.
I would take Terry up on his offer to send you all three. Wished I’d thought of that when I was deciding! I also think Doc’s advice of getting something to play on before your McGee arrives should be followed. If you can’t play you can’t make a choice! Doc has a number of flutes for sale, I’m sure he’ll let you know if he has some good cheap ones. If not I have a Casey Burns Folk flute I could sell you. If you do a search you will find they are excellent flutes. Sorry if that sounds like a sales pitch. Its not at all. I’ve just become aware whilst replying to this thread that it’s sitting at the back of a cupboard doing nothing.
Karl.
Hi Ade,
I opted for the compromise and got the 2 semicircle embouchure. It’s a Rudall Perfected with the eccentric bore head. I chose the 2 semicircle cut because it seemed like the safest option - the idea of ordering multiple heads to compare didn’t occur to me, and as a beginner I’m not sure how much that would have helped me choose (I had only played a Tipple before). I’m very happy with it. It’s capable of a great “trad”, loud or soft, hard-edged or sweet, reedy, rich, complex tone. And it can really honk. It would be very interesting to compare the different cuts and headjoint styles, but if you were to choose this configuration, I don’t think you’d be disappointed.
Ben
Hi
Karl,
Thank you again for the offer. However, since beginning this thread and Terry’s offer to send me all three heads I think that is probably the best solution. By the time I get the flute I will have had a little more time playing and may better understand myself what I am looking for!
Doc,
Thanks for your suggestion, I currently do have a flute, an M&E RR polymer keyless although I am not certain of the shape of embouchure cut (importantly in comparison to Terrys) others have suggested on this forum (and it looks to me) to be an elliptical.
Trouble is, I can see the merits in each of the 3 cuts… that puts me right back at the beginning…!?
Its a good job Terry doesnt offer even more variations of cuts!
I will let you how the saga progresses.
Sorry to be late in responding to your request directed to me. Yes, I have the 5088 with two headjoints–one semicircle cut and one rounded rectangle. I’m glad you are going to get one of each–plus an improved elliptical to try out. My experience was that I didn’t care for the improved elliptical I tried on a GLP much at all. The semicircle on the 5088 gives a fantastic tone, but is a little quieter than the rounded rectangle. The rounded rectangle is slightly easier to play, slightly louder, and brighter.
I guess if I had to choose one, it would be the semicircle because I think it best enhances the overtones or darker sound. It just seems to be made for that flute. Still, its a tough choice. Anyway, let us know what you decide. I’m as curious about your reaction as you were about others’ experiences. Take care.
Thanks Libraryman
I will let you know. Its a few months yet before I get the flute and I cant wait. I think getting the 3 heads is a good option, although I was thinking that I would lean toward the improved elliptical as my current flute, an M&E RR polymer has that embouchure and its the only one I have any experience of. I will have to wait and see though!
Did you consider Terry’s Rudall Perfected by any chance. I undestand the 5088 to be a little quieter and I chose that one becouse i thought the finger stretch would be easier??? And you also went with Eccentric head over the classic???
It seems a number of people have had these problems. There is just too much choice, and thats not a critcism. I assume most other makers just supply their irish flutes with one embouchure cut and that its usually elliptical.
Regards
Hello Again,
My headjoints are of the type that looks classical on the outside, but has the eccentric cut inside. I just liked the look a little better. I have never tried a Rudall Perfected so can’t help you there. I play in a group that does a lot of old songs in flat keys with a lot of accidentals as in jazz. So I was looking for a flute that would be pretty easy to finger and wanted medium holes. I got 5 keys on mine (Cnat, G#, Eb, and Bb with thumb and fourth finger touches). The sleekness and medium size holes help out a lot on difficult passages. If I had been looking for a session flute, I might have considered a Rudall Perfected. But playing into a mic made that less of a consideration
I have played improved elliptical embouchures on a Rudall Refined and a GLP. To me, they are not like M & E embouchures at all. I had an M & E delrin which was heavy, kind of fat, and not all that easy to play. It had a more traditional oval embouchure and was nowhere close to being as playable as the Copley I replaced it with which has a more rounded rectangle embouchure. Anyway, the improved ellipical shape reminded me of a cat’s eye and I didn’t really take to it. I find the other two shapes Terry makes way better for me. I play both each time I practice. At first, I liked the semicircle quite a bit more, but the rounded rectangle has been coming on strong over the six months I’ve had the flute.
Terry gives very good advice. I’ve found his comments very accurate. I’m not sure what he would say about the loudness factor, but I can tell you that if you are getting along with an M & E pretty good, I think you’ll just love the 5088. Remember a flute that is relatively easy to play can be pushed harder than a flute that takes a lot of air unless you are a very advanced player. The 5088 likes to be pushed and can give a pretty impressive sound. Hope some of this helps. Take care.
Thanks again Libraryman
I am just going to have to bide my time till the flute and the headjoints arrive. I have gone with the eccentric heads, mkiv tuning slide, long D foot on a keyless D blackwood 5088. Sounds good just rattling that off! I may end up keeping two headjoints also. Not sure yet which two. Might go for the two ends of the spectrum with the Rounded Rectangle and the Improved Elliptical for best of both worlds reasons…but then why not just the 2Semicircles as that is in between… Who knows??..
I will let you know my first impressions.
Regards
Ade