$11,000 !! Still not the most expensive Olwell flute that’s ever been sold. A definite bargain. Wait’ll next year!!
Well then: Happy Birthday Aaron & Patrick… 
Professional quality Boehm flutes sell for far more than this, so it’s not
as crazy as it looks.
Still, wouldn’t pay anything close to that for an instrument that only
goes to pubs and folk festivals.
Well, Pat Olwell puts great attention to detail and care into each and every one of his instruments. That’s part of why they are as celebrated as they are. This flute got a great deal of his attention and care for nearly a year. He said he spent several months carefully voicing this instrument. Even the most expensive hand built Boehm flutes cannot easily say they have been given more attention to their voicing by a superior craftsman than this flute. Someone got one helluva flute.
Bob
If I could make flutes to command that sort of price then I wouldn’t bother with a waiting list and sell them for less. Just list them on ebay and take the highest bidder.
I’d also make any prospective buyer audition, just to be sure they were up to the job!