So, I’ve been on the waiting list for a keyed Olwell for three years so far and probably will be on it for at least three more. I’ve only played an Olwell a few times and never long enough to really put them through their paces, so to speak. Therefore, I was thinking that it might be a good idea to order one of his keyless flutes in the same style/type as the keyed in order to get used to the embouchure, feel, characteristics, etc..
My question is this: is ordering a keyless to become familiar with the Olwell design a good idea or a bad idea (by bad, I mean worth the money, really)?
Any and all comments, thoughts, opinions on this matter are welcome.
It’s a great idea. But there won’t be any trouble getting used to an Olwell if and when you do get it.
These are the most easily playable flutes of all. And if the long wait seems interminable, I am selling an Olwell cocus 6-key, about four years old and in mint condition, in a hard Northwind case. It’s a spectacular player.
You could mortgage the house and buy this one immediately.
Is the wait list for an unkeyed Olwell that much shorter that it’s any point in it then?
I have heard that Marcus Hernon’s Prattens are very similar to Olwells (don’t quote me on that, as it’s hearsay) i have tried a Hernon and found it easy to get a good tone. Marcus can pretty much peel the paint of the walls regardless what he’s playing, but his playing one sound fantastic.
“Is the wait list for an unkeyed Olwell that much shorter that it’s any point in it then?”
I’d think so, Last I heard the wait for a keyless Olwell was around one year, whilst the wait for a keyed Olwell was/is around 5-6 years? The keyed Olwell that David has for sale is an exceptional instrument for anyone after a keyed Olwell. As David has already mentioned, Ciaran Somers played a selection of the fine flutes that were for sale during Willie Week and the keyed cocus Olwell stood out to my ears.
Steamie, thanks. It really is the ultimate flute. It is identical to the one Matt Molloy plays.
It does cost as much as a four year old used car, but at the end of another four years the flute will be worth much more and the car won’t be worth much at all.
Is a two-year flute acclimation as useful as getting three more years of solid practice in? Yes you can do both at the same time but unless your current flute is radically different I can’t see how buying another flute will really offer much of a performance advantage. Good players can get used to any decent flute in a short time.
OTOH if you can’t wait then I suppose you can’t really go wrong; Olwells are ‘investment instruments’.
Thanks for the replies and advice. I think I am going to go ahead and order a keyless. It’s only a year wait, having another keyless that (probably) is very different from my current Copeland, and certainly the fun of finally getting to play an Olwell as long as I want all make it seem like a very reasonable idea. I agree that I probably would adapt very quickly to the Olwell style once I got the keyed (hopefully) because of the quality of the instrument (more than the player) but I sort of have an itch for a keyless and think it the best route.
Another plus about it is if I like the headjoint I can have Patrick use it on the keyed.
It’s interesting that although arguably an Olwell is the “ultimate”, many
top players choose to use Grinters or others. So arguably it’s a matter of taste.
I’ve got some money to spend, but it’s such a risk to splash
out on something I may end up not liking.
I apologize if this is (too) off-topic or inappropriate. Please advise.
But I could not find reliable information online, and I will jump in on this thread. Does anyone know what is the price for a new keyless Olwell? If reasonable I might as well go for a year long wait…
Keyless Flutes with Tuning Slide
Blackwood with Sterling silver trim and Nickel-lined head - $1450
Blackwood with Sterling Silver trim and Silver-lined head - $1550
After talking with Patrick, he informed me that because of the increase in the cost of sterling silver for fittings, the current price for a keyless flute is
$1550 - for nickel-lined headjoint
$1650 - for sterling-lined headjoint.
When I picked up my keyless Nicholson, I asked Patrick whether I could order a keyed model. He basically said, “play this one for a year and then come back.” He was right. Others may know better, but I’m not sure he is all that eager to make keyless flutes to hold someone over until he can turn out a keyed one.
BTW, last night I was at the Irish Embassy in Washington and watched some of the all-stars in town get into a short half-hour session. Stood behind Kevin Crawford. Amazing playing. Looked like he had his tuning slide pulled out 2 inches–well 1 at least. There were three others on flute-all Olwells I think-but then this is Olwell country. I heard Kevin plays a Grinter, but I didn’t ask him, just told him how much I enjoyed listening.