Has anyone played both of Olwell’s models? I’ve been on his list for a keyless for sometime. Just trying to decide which model to ultimately order.
Yeah, I’ve had the opportunity to play Olwell Pratten and Nicolson flutes side by side - what are you looking for in a flute, what are your priorities, and what is your experience level?
Loren
I’ve been playing for 2-3 years. Currently I own a McGee large hole Rudall and an Olwell bamboo in D. I want power, but I want to play softly too. Just wondering if I can achieve both on the Pratten. I hear that the Nicholson is more flexible-easy to achieve both. I’m full of air, so filling the flute is no problem for me.
Well, you can certainly play both loudly and softly on the Olwell Pratten. If power is your thing, you might as well get the Pratten otherwise I suspect you’ll always be wondering/wishing you had.
OTH, for others out there considering the same decision, the Nicholson is nearly as powerful, and less work to keep going for long periods - probably the best choice for all but the hard core session crowd. Just my opinion, of course.
Loren
Thanks Loren. You’re given me more to ponder…
Thanks to both of y’all. I was going to post the same question in the not-too-distant future. I’m certainly interested in others’ opinions, too. I’m still planning a trip to Nellysford (have to keep putting it off 
), but am interested in hearing from people with more experience than I have.
I also thank you for the insight. I have been playing the whistle for 3 years but was classically trained on the flute. I’m in an Irish band and have been playing my classical silver Gemeinhardt but wanted to get something more traditional. This helps a great deal. 
Welcome 
Loren
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could try them before making a decision? Is there any kind of festival thats well attended by the top makers so that you could try the different models and place an order?
I know what you mean by this but I’m not completely sure of the value of trying out an instrument you’re not used to. Most players believe that it takes a good while to find the “focus” of a new flute - you’re not going to find it in a short try-out period. I think it would be of more value to hear experienced players who are “in the zone” with their instrument already. Of course, there’s never any guarantee that you’ll sound like them but it gives you a better idea of the tone that the instrument is capable of.
Graham
I understand that the top makers don’t need to try to sell their work .Lesser ones sponsor players to expose their productions .
Whistlegal, you’re in Virginia, so you couldn’t be more than 3-4 hours from Patrick. If you really want to try his flutes, ring him up and arrange a visit.
He usually has a booth at the Maryland Renaissance Festival (near Annapolis in August-October), but it’s usually his minions attending it. If you know what you want to try, you can arrange to go on a weekend when Patrick will be there and ask him to bring a few flutes that interest you.
This is probably a no brainer 
, but I don’t seem to be able to find this information anywhere. I know that Seamus Egan, Laurence Nugent, and Tom Doorley all play Olwells, but which type of flute is each playing?
To my knowledge they all play Olwell “Prattens”.
Loren