I’ve just realized how cheap keyed Ormiston flutes are. And all i’m looking for right now is a good and cheap keyed pratten (i’m playing a keyed Lehart right now, a really great flute but rudall style…).
I’d like some opinion from someone that has played one of his pratten model, either here or by PM.
Thanks,
Lorenzo
£2435 = cheap ?
Lorenzo - you could ask Calum Stewart, who has 2 for sale on this forum if you look down the page from here. I’d trust Calum to give you good advice. A friend of mine plays one, fully keyed, and was playing it in a session with Niall Kenny in Sandy Bell’s in Edinburgh last weekend. I can’t judge it very much because the keys on it are left-handed, but he’s delighted with it.
£2435 = cheap ?
That’s if you get 8 keys. I’m interested in 5 keys (£1460) which is far less expensive than a 5 keyed flute by some other maker…
Then, are you sure you’re talking about Ormiston prattens and not Ormiston rudalls? I’m quite sure the pratten is a newer model he’s making (i belive he started making those around 2006?), therefore most people own a rudall…
I’ll always vouch for the quality of his flutes but mine is a fully keyed Rudall lefty. Don’t know about his Prattens but the man knows his stuff and can’t imagine them not being first class.
Eamonn Cotter is worth checking out. Good keyed Pratten, not so expensive.
Eamonn Cotter is worth checking out. Good keyed Pratten, not so expensive.
I’ve never thought of him because he doesn’t have a website where i could check prices and stuff… Is there a brochure like Aebi’s (before the website) or like the Olwell price list?
If you search on Eamonn Cotter you will find a good deal of info. I think you have to call him up
but the prices were listed here. I have some Youtube recordings playing his 6-key (paganserenade,
check Paddy Fahey’s jig). I do think he makes a very good Pratten. Personally I would go
with someone who has made them for a good while–though I haven’t played any
Ormiston ever.
I totally agree go for someone who has made flutes for a while George has been making flutes for 32 years and made the flute for the film Apocalypto. Best flutes i have tried in my opinion
I meant ‘made prattens for a good while.’
Can’t go wrong with either an Ormiston or a Cotter. George’s early flutes (Before about #400) were very good but a bit “polite” for hardcore Irish applications (smallish holed Rudalls). His more recent stuff is outstanding.
Doc
Doc have you played an Ormiston Pratten?
Forgive my being fussy. Ormiston flutes look yummy. I’ve never played one.
I’ve got nothing against them!
The question is simply this: given the earlier ‘politeness’ you mentioned
in his Rudalls, now corrected in his Rudalls (I’ve followed all this
from afar), how polite is his Pratten?
In my humble opinion the makers mentioned here are very good. Don’t forget the effort they put in and dedication they must have to create a flute. I have an Ormiston short foot that has been fitted with keys and it will be home again hopefully on monday. Its a gem of an instrument, well made, well designed and the care that George gives to a flute is great. I heard Tom Aebi several flutes and they sound also great. Question is; what does the buyer wants? I have a friend trying all sorts of flutes out before buying and that is maybe the right path to follow. On the other hand somebody said :“You can’t go wrong with an Ormiston flute” and that is the truth.All the best,
Ron
Othannan,
I posted a clip of me playing an air (or trying to) on the posting clips page using a 2 year old Ormiston Bb. Granted, I recorded the tune not really knowing it, and I had the Ormiston Bb for less than 24 hours. Nevertheless, you can get an idea of the tone, etc. Oh, my playing is better toward the end of the clip!
Arbo
I’m sure Ormiston makes great flutes, but are his prattens “pratten sounding”, like Olwells or Hammys?
john gallagher makes a great “pratten” model flute.. mine was really cheap beacause of a very favourable $/€ exchange rate.. lucky me! 
His Pratten would sound like the original Hudson Pratten he owns! Why would he want to copy another makers Pratten when he has an original??
john gallagher makes a great “pratten” model flute.. mine was really cheap beacause of a very favourable $/€ exchange rate.. lucky me! >
Same here, I’ve heard that somebody stated that his prattens sound more like nicholsons…
it sounds the way I want, and that’s enough for me! I’ve been told (by the maker) that the flute is a close copy of a boosey pratten with only a few modifications for tuning purposes and a slighty smaller embouchure hole. Maybe you are referring to Seth Gallagher and not John Gallagher..
Maybe you are referring to Seth Gallagher and not John Gallagher..
Err I am 