Could somebody please explain to me the differences in playability and sound produced between Pat Olwell’s Pratten and Nicholson styles. Cheers, John.
Below is a quote from David Migoya who’s opinion is well respected here. I was going to wait to see if David himself would reply but i thought the past comment from a now defunct thread fairly well answered the question (in part at least). I visited Patrick’s shop recently and tried both and was attracted to his pratten model myself. - Bob
"Re: Nicholson/Pratten
Having owned originals of each … and own Olwell’s representation of each …
they are not precisely the same at all…but they do carry characteristics of the originals.
The Pratten-Olwell sound is massive. You can feel it as much as hear it. It’s very wide and broad. A boom.
The Pratten-Nicholson sound is huge, too, but has much more texture and fabric.
Both are respectful to the originals (I once had the oldest extant Clementi-Nicholson … and I own the oldest extant Pratten’s Perfected) with Patrick’s tweeks.
That said … i’ve never played his small-holed “Rudall” model. But if it’s anything like originals I play … I’d imagine it fantastic as well."
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
From a flute player not nearly as accomplished as Dave:
The difference in power between the Olwell Nicholson and Pratten flutes is going to be noticed to a much greater extent by a really good (and powerful) player.
I tend to gravitate to small-holed flutes. I own Pat’s Nicholson and Rudall type flutes, and I’m comfortable with both and now prefer the Nicholson. I’ve played a few of Pat’s Pratten flutes, and find the Nicholson much more manageable (see caveat at the beginning; I’ve owned flutes both from Hammy and Seery, so have some experience with good Pratten flutes, but have never become really comfortable with them).
I personally think the Nicholson is the best of both worlds. Capable of the tenderness of the Rudall, but very versatile. I will certainly never desire more power from a flute, but a player capable of and desirous of more power may prefer the Pratten.
Thanks to responders for sharing their thoughts. Cheers, John