Usually a lurker here, but I felt compelled to post about the new flute I recently received from John Gallagher, a large holed R&R model in delrin. I’ve owned an Olwell, Wilkes, Cochran and tried a variety of other very well made flutes over the years and, I think I’m at a playing point where I can reasonably compare the qualities of different flutes. All flutes of course have their strong and weak points, and I appreciate that each player has a unique style and desire for what they want in their ideal flute - so, for sure, no one size fits all. Still, I think it’s useful for those thinking about getting a new flute (which is almost everyone on this board, given our disorder) to hear other’s impressions about instruments that they may not have the opportunity to directly test - so here’s my subjective and objective thoughts about this Gallagher flute…
First off, for me it’s hand’s down the most “playable” flute I’ve ever used. By this, I mean both satisfying to play and allows me to produce the best sound dynamics relative to what I look for - which is very evenly balanced instrument across all the notes and octaves, capable of wide variation in tonal colors, very focused and loud, and quite responsive to even low volume of breath. The combination of big holes and a relatively narrow bore, under John’s craftsmanship, seems to create unique sound characteristics that come together in a wonderful (I could say magical, but won’t) way.
So this flute is really fun to play and passed my acid test - several people, including my wife who by now rarely pays attention to my playing, actually noticed and remarked how much nicer this flute sounds - the ultimate validation that it’s not just me.
I could describe the flute with all the adjectives I’ve see in many reviews, but they all start to run together to me after a while. Suffice to say that for me this is the ideal flute, and I am blown away with John Gallagher’s skill, as well as humility. He is very responsive to work with - at this point, his turnaround times are remarkably short and he’s very flexible. My rating = Five Stars out of five.
It would be interesting to compare this one to the one that you play in your clips. I know. I know. They are different. Yours is a small hole if I remember correctly.
I heartily second everything Tod said. I think my Gallgher flute (8-key Pratten) has cured me of FOAD (at least for the immediate future!). I’m also lucky enough to see John in person relatively frequently and will again this year when I go to the Augusta Irish Week this July. You should hear him play the fiddle he made for himself!
I would love to play one of these, but irish fluters here in st. Louis are as rare as hens’ teeth.
I suspect the Gallagher may do what some of my flutes already do, e.g. the Byrne,
and I’m unwilling to pay money to find out. Ah well.
Extremely powerful, extremely efficient, great response, fantastic tone. Hands down the best flute model I have ever played. I am very lucky to be the owner(on the inspiration) of the first one he made. John had a really cool old Rudall in his shop that I wanted a replica of. He did just that and made the necessary adjustments so the flute plays at 440.
I have an 8 key Pratten from him as well and it is something else alright, bought it off of another forum member last year and I couldn’t be happier with it. I’ve played a lot of the top makes out there and the Gallagher is as good if not better than the others. I’d buy more of his flutes in other keys if I had any money for them. I think there are some vids on youtube of me playing it, you can search my real name (in the sig) if interested.
I think delrin is pretty much the same price as the wooden flutes… the makers I’ve talked to say that they are at least the same difficulty to work with, and some even prefer not to. While the aesthetics of wood are great, I’ve gone all to Delrin now, as I end up playing the flute so much more - you can take them anywhere without worry, they can stay ready-assembled, and IMHO there is no discernable difference in the sound. - Tod
I suspect the only benefit from a makers’ perspective is that delrin is consistent. I don’t know how many pieces of ABW John throws away every year, but I know he throws some away 'cause I’ve seen a few! Lots of times the maker can’t tell if there’s a flaw in the wood until he’s fairly far along in the process.
I quite agree that Dave Copley makes a great Delrin flute and does in my humble opinion sound like wood. I look forward to getting the test flute to see where I suspect is moving the l3 and r3 closer. I don’t think that will affect the sound that it produces.
i too, just got the Delrin R&R from Gallagher. i love it like i love his other flutes (i have his pratten and small holed R&R model), that’s it for me, i’ll probably have the Delrin keyed and let go of my other flutes (if anyone want the buy the small holed R&R, it’s truly a great flute).
the great thing is that john will add keys to the delrin flute, it’s a great way to upgrade a flute that you already know and love.
to me, his flutes are the most responsive of any other flutes that i have played.
I can’t help but asking. So, you have the pratten and the small holed R and R. The large hole R&R. Is there a big difference in the hole sizes, bore and l2-l3 and r2-r3 stretch?
What is the differences in the two in your opinion? I assume that you prefer the pratten.
I have a 6-keyed small-holed J. Gallagher flute that I love. I’ve had it around 5 years now and it’s great. The only flute I like as much is my keyless Byrne, which has a slightly darker tone. I prefer both of them to Olwells, but that’s just my personal preference. Smaller-holed flutes are easier for my hand size. Glad to hear John Gallagher is getting more and more kudos.
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