I’m surprised there’s no bids yet for this new Olwell Bamboo in F? Not in my budget right now )-;
It is not the last minute yet…
L
To me this looks like riverbottom cane. Giant grass if you will. I have had similiar NAF flutes made from cane like this. I use to see it in Georgia when I lived there. Just curious. Would seem reasonable where Olwell lives. Maybe Pat can weigh in on if it is riverbottom cane.
I’ve read that river bottom cane was/is also used for arrow shafts.
Anyone know?
I also read that somewhere. It would be the smaller sized cane. For flutes, the cane needs to be near 3/4 inch. At least for NAF flutes. I would love to get some cane for transverse flutes. I tried bamboo with some success. I haven’t seen any cane in Middle Tennessee that would work.
I am getting old. I am trying to remember what wood (pacific northwest) that was used for arrows because the wood is straight and resistant to decay. I have and seen flutes made of the wood. I have some in my garage. But, at the moment can’t think what wood it is.
edit: google is your best friend
Port Orford Cedar… The Japanese consider a sacred wood. Native Americans used for arrows. Makes a nice NAF (native american flute). Maybe too soft a wood for irish flute. It is a softwood.
It’s not Virginia cane. He used to get the cane from Florida. He’d drive down there and select and cut it himself. Never said anything about river bottom.
That may well be the same stuff. Arundinaria gigantea, or river cane/river bottom cane is found in river lowlands from New Jersey/Delaware south to Florida. I’ve used it to make Native American flutes—as did Native Americans.
Best wishes.
Steve