I’m looking for advice on the best blackwood keyless I can buy for $1,000 US or less. I’m strongly considering Dave Copley, Paddy Ward, and Martin Doyle, but am looking for any other suggestions anyone might have.
Hammy Hamilton–a blackwood keyless comes in at about $900 U.S. right now.
–James
Eamonn Cotter,
probably at around the same price.
I am quite biased in favor of the Copley, with an equal to, or strong seconding of a Hamilton. I’ve had quite a few flutes come and go but am now settled in nicely for the long haul of this flute playing adventure with these two flutes. Very different flutes mind you, but a couple of the best of the R&R and Pratten style instruments being made today. Either one is an outstanding flute and the price is right! You also would not go wrong with an investment in one of these because the price is going to only go up, and you could sell it down the road easily if you wanted to. You wouldn’t sell though 
Murray
Depends on what you are looking for. I would suggest a Casey Burns, I absolutly love my new Pratten, I hear his Rudalls (medium holed) are great too. I would also put in a positive word for a Bleazey if you want a small holed Flute with a short wait.
I am quite biased in favor of the Copley, with an equal to, or strong seconding of a Hamilton. I’ve had quite a few flutes come and go but am now settled in nicely for the long haul of this flute playing adventure with these two flutes. Very different flutes mind you, but a couple of the best of the R&R and Pratten style instruments being made today.
Agreed, both makers make good flutes, but Copley flutes aren’t Rudall and Rose style flutes.
You might wish to consider whether you want an all wood flute (which
will have no slide)
or one with a metal lined head; whether you want a Rudall-style
flute or a Pratten-style flute or a hybrid (Dave C’s are hybrids).
In which venues do you wish to play?
I think Seth Gallaghers keyless flutes are about 1000,
just checked his site earlier.
If I had $1000, I’d get a Hamilton. I’ve done a lot of research recently, and these seem to be my kind of flute.
Actually it is copied from a medium holed Hawkes Flute, it is on the smaller side, closer to a Rudall.
Perhaps this is the best advice, while price is a component of a flute, a $1000 flute may not be what you want while a $600 may be what you want (or a $2000 flute). Resale may be a thing to think about if you are still trying out flutes. As for playing, do you want flexibility or power (the two are not always mutually exclusive)?
Take this advice lightly, the fife, not the flute is my main instrument (and I am a novice at that).
Also how long are you willing to wait?
Hey Olives,
You could buy 2 all wood Copleys for that price! 
Or, if you preferr, you can get one with a long C foot (4-piece flute) for a little more (~$600).
Best of Luck!
Jordan
Point me in the right direction!!!
I’ll put a vote for Casey Burns, that’s where I wish I had started.
The Bleazey is not a $1000 flute, which is what yer olives’ looking for. Nowhere near it.
Nobody said Wilkes??? 
600 £ for a keyless. That’s 1040 $
I don’t think olives wants to wait 10 years though 
I understand that concern… But the question was: what’s the best blackwood keyless for 1000 bucks? The best I can see is the Wilkes 
Is the wait that long for a keyless? Some makers give shorter waiting times for them.
There is also Tom Aebi, though I don’t know his prices for a keyless now. Léhart, Murray, Hamilton… Generally speaking, I don’t think it’s very difficult to find a good keyless for 1000$.
I believe a keyless from Aebi is up there with Byrne in the $1500 area. Are Murray’s in the range? I’ve been seeing them at $1000 or higher on resale.
Léhart should be within range.
Also check to see if Paddy Ward still has his $750 blackwood special. The wait is short and the flute is top quality. It’s a large-holed Hawkes with a big, oval embouchure.
Otherwise I believe all the other usual suspects have been mentioned.
Good luck in your flute quest.
Cheers,
Aaron