At long last it is here, and it kicks some serious @$$!!!
This is an Eb section for my unkeyed D Olwell in blackwood. I’ve been waiting for about two years. It’s worth every minute of that wait.
The new sections is such beautiful wood that initially I thought it must be cocus. It’s dark black with beautiful veins of purple, orange and red… simply gorgeous. Patrick says that, unfortunately, a lot of that color will darken, but for now I get to enjoy the beautiful highlights.
The fingerholes are beautifully and gracefully formed. To my eye the finger holes seem to be exacly the same size as those on the D section (I’m sure they are different in subtle ways). The spacing of the holes is also nearly identical. The big difference is the distance between the top hand and the bottom hand. On the D flute there is a greater distance between the third and fourth hole than on the Eb. What this means is that one doesn’t really have to adjust their grip at all. The only difference is how close the hands are together. The fingers remain with the same stretch. I think this is a really nice design choice.
Playing the Eb section is like sailing a Laser, while the D section is more like a 420. Both are super fast, extremely maneuverable and a heck of a lot of fun. The Eb section feels like it’s racing along at breakneck speed, barely making contact with the water and it might take off into the air at any moment, while the D section cruises along with power, speed and confidence, ready to crash through any wave in it’s way. Yeah… that’s it. The D section will just ram right through anything in it’s way, while the Eb section will deftly avoid it without losing a bit of speed. They’re both wicked and I’m so pleased to have them.
Patrick is, without question, the man and this flute is, without question, the flute.
LOL - good for you for knowing what I’m talking about! Actually, I often sail 420s solo, though they’re much better with a crew.
No, the D plays just great with only one set of lips, but it is nicely to have a fiddle player sitting next to me so I can dribble the condensation out on his shoes.
I was told the C part costs the same. I’ve had a C part on order for two years now. Pat says he very rarely gets blackwood which is long enough for a C part.
<<What’s a flying Dutchman. Is this good?
it’s a solo sail boat, but bigger then the 420.
look really slick, but I’ve actually never sailed one, only lasers and 420s.
Actually, I think the wait for an Eb section is supposed to be a year or less. The problem is that I was out of the country for a year and half and only back for short windows, so I didn’t have a chance to bug Patrick and since he knew I was unable to receive the flute it probably wasn’t on the top of his to-do list.
I think the C section ( ) depends on whether Patrick has the wood available.
To question the sailing analogy, does this mean a F flute is like a windsurfer, and a G flute is like kite board. I actually think the Bb is closer to a soling, with the stability of having a keel. I would have thought Flying dutchmen are a bit “hairy” in a “blow”!
No, Pat does split-body flutes too. Meaning same-number-as-a-Rudall, rather than same-number-as-a-Pratten.
I agree 100% with your assessment of the Eb midsection, Chris. And Eddie, if I hadn’t-a been working, you could have played my flute, which has two midesctions. The Eb is great fun.
) depends on whether Patrick has the wood available.
