Oh man…you cannot believe it! My two year old son fell on my almost perfect Rudall and Rose and broke it! Among the worst things you can imagine.
The bottom tenon of the second section was crushed on one side, and the socket of the third section cracked on both sides–one side right through the F# hole! F%&*# me!
I’m pretty sure this could be fixed, though my flute’s value may have diminished quite a bit…should I send it to Peter Noy, who I know does a great job on repairs, or Chris Wilkes, who restored the flute in the first place?
Or maybe try someone closer to my China time zone–like Terry McGee. Does Michael Grinter do repairs?
Need some advice, lads.
This is really bad news, and when something like this happens during Chinese New Year, it does not bode well for the new year. Really, no joke. I am really worrried, and cannot want to tell my wife (you may need to be Chinese to understand this point…)
I need to go to the temple now and burn a ream of incense to the Maitreya Buddha.
Ouch! But, you know, it portends
nothing. Maitreya says to look
at flutes, dishes, glasses
as already broken. Not that
I can do it, or anything.
but such things are
characterized by impermanence,
and if you attach to them,
suffering. Or you could
scream! Works for me. Good luck with
it–fixed is fixed. Best
I’m sure that any of the people you mentioned would do an excellent repair job, so it may just be a matter of finding which of them has the time available. Definitely give Terry McGee a try. Since he has a research project on Rudall and Rose, he’d probably welcome the chance to get a good look at the flute and get detailed measurements.
There is a standard “tenon graft” repair. The damaged tenon is cut off and the remaining piece is bored to make a socket. Then a tube (usually delrin) is glued in to make a new tenon which is as strong as the original and just about indistiguishable.
Greg it was painful to read about what happened to your Rudall. I hope it’ll get restored to as-it-were condition after repair from the maker of your choice.
(After that, comission a piece of calligraphy to the flute-restorer - write “miao shou hui chun”!)
Good thing your two year old kid escaped unscathed from that fall!
On 2003-02-04 06:08, gcollins wrote:
I need to go to the temple now and burn a ream of incense to the Maitreya Buddha.
This reminds me of a saying:
“Not offering incense in times of peace,
Embracing Buddha’s feet in times of tribulation”
(ping shi bu shao xiang, lin shi bao fo jiao)
[ This Message was edited by: Eldarion on 2003-02-04 08:31 ]
When I woke up this morning it was 85 degrees (F) in my bedroom (there have been pipe-freezing incidents recently and someone in this house put my thermostat up while I was sleeping). Horrified, I filled two cups with wet paper towels and put them in the instrument trunk. It’s still hot, even with the air conditioner on full blast and the window having been open to the outside for 10 minutes.
Oh, man…
I’m sure Terry can do a good job fixing it, obsessed as he is with Rudalls, and (maybe) sooner, since he’s closer to your time zone.
I get the omen thing, particularly at this time, but you might want to look at it in reverse – the flute, and you, have had your worst. Perhaps that bodes well for the rest of the year.
All the best,
Gordon
If it were me, I’d send it back to Chris Wilkes (but call or e-mail him first to make sure he’s willing to take on the job). In my opinion, Chris is the king when it comes to Rudall and Rose, whether it’s his own flutes or restoration/repair/replacement on originals. The man’s a genius, and you’ll get more than your money’s worth on the repairs.
Well, everyone, thanks for the input and the condolences. I’ll send out some e-mails and see who wants to touch the lucky sharkskin patch. I’ll let you know.
If you have never experienced the sound of a nice wood flute breaking, don’t.
On 2003-02-04 18:25, gcollins wrote:
Well, everyone, thanks for the input and the condolences. I’ll send out some e-mails and see who wants to touch the lucky sharkskin patch. I’ll let you know.
If you have never experienced the sound of a nice wood flute breaking, don’t.
Thanks again!
G
I witnessed the snapped neck of a custom Les Paul guitar once, left leaning against a sofa. Wasn’t mine, but hearing the thing snap was like watching that football player snap his leg during the game. The fist fight that broke out afterwards was something too see as well…
Good luck with whichever maker takes on your flute. Obviously, let us know how (and where) it’s going.
All the best,
Gordon
Greg
you broke my heart with that one!
sigh
Sadly, you’re in good company, though.
Michael Flatley had a dandy boxwood Rudall years ago and apparently a young lady at a party sat on it while it was on the sofa. Snapped it in two places.
I’ve heard other tales of terror, too.
But, your best bet at hand is indeed Terry McGee. He’ll do a nice job and he’s close to home for you.
Peter would be just as great, or Rod Cameron on the west coast. East coast you can beckon John Gallagher or even Pat Olwell (who will do these kinds of things on occassion).
In England, of course, it’s Chris, but don’t rule out some other big names, even Robert Bigio.
Best of luck. Don’t fret. It will be back to “normal” and playing again soon.
For those that don’t remember, I brokered this Rudall to Greg, so I had a chance to play it in and it’s quite a great Rudall. Too, it was this flute he exchanged for his Pratten Olwell that ended up in the hands of a known player in Europe.
best
Thanks, Dave and gang. Better get back to that known player in Europe and tell him I want my Olwell back, at least until my Rudall comes back in playable condition.
Gordon and Eldaron, you could right. Look on the bright side. Adds a bit of history to the flute that my son can recall and see when he gets older. Alas, the son that fell on the flute is the onle that loves the flutes most.
I sent an e-mail to Terry and I’ll see what he says.
I’m sure all of the people suggested to you would do a good job repairing your flute. I have had personal experience with Terry McGee on two flute restorations and can vouch for the quality of his work. If you inquire of several makers, you might want to get an estimate of how long it would take them to do the repair. All other things equal, I’m sure getting the flute back as quickly as possible is a high priority for you.
[When I first posted this, I stated that Skip would be in Atlanta, GA. This is incorrect! He will be in Mobile, AL for workshops and concerts.]
I am so, so sorry.
You should also give Skip Healy a try. He has restored and repaired loads of antique instruments ranging from Cloos to R&R. He also has the resources of the von Huene Workshop ( http://www.earlymusic.com/ )available to him.
Email Skip directly at skip@skiphealy.com or call him at 401-885-2502 (workshop).
Call him soon. After next weekend he’s off to Mobile, AL, for gigs and workshops, and then soon after that he’s going to Florida to record his slow tune CD. So, he’ll be harder to reach for the last two weeks of February.
Take care,
John Harvey
Read “The Cleansing” by John D. Harvey
Now available from Arkham House Publishers! http://www.arkhamhouse.com/
Visit Horror Author John D. Harvey at
[ This Message was edited by: rhodeirish on 2003-02-06 17:26 ]
