Greeetings to all…
I haven’t posted for ages, but finally just received a new Olwell Nicholson and had to pass along my contentment with it 
… a superb instrument! Now this was quite an upgrade for me, from a Dixon polymer and an Olwell bamboo, both of which I’ve found to be excellent in their own ways. From my take, the Nicholson plays similar to Patrick’s pratten, the main differences being this is a little more tone “balanced”, i.e. the D is not quite so hard (still can honk) and the whole sound is a bit mellower, might describe it as more refined. As others have noted, Olwell’s not an overly difficult flute to play, with much the same embouchrure I’ve used on his bamboo… where as the Dixon is very forgiving in comparison. Disclaimer: I’ve had the flute only 2 days, so these thoughts are subject to change- I’d be glad to hear what some some of the veterans here have to say - Tod
That’s great! I agree that Olwells are smooth to play.
Anyone here (I know there are a few, at least) have any personal experiences in Pat’s Pratten vs. Nicholson styles? I have a keyed instrument on order with Pat, and I think he’s leaning towards making it in the Nicholson style. My keyless is a Pratten.
Hey, I’m game. I’m just curious if there are any generalizations other fluters make about the two styles. I think I’d say that if it’s maybe slightly more refined than the Pratten, it’d make a nice keyed (boxwood) flute.
Stuart