I was just rereading a few file posts on Ormiston flutes and noticed, back in Nov. 2002, a few of you waiting were for or just received an Ormiston. How about an update over a year later? EricT and WarrenF are two that come to mind but there were a few others. Care to comment?
Thanx, Billg
-Don’t know about Ormistons, (I play a Casey Burns) but had to comment on your Grady-White boat avatar. I sold my Grady 20’ two years ago after ten years of sometimes punishing use in Puget Sound chop, sometimes finding myself the only pleasure boater out on rough winter days in the sound-the only others using commercial boats.
-Ran across a floating tree with it on a search for another boater adrift off Vashon Island, splitting the tree with the sturdy lower unit of the Yamaha outboard-only a one-minute repair with a grinder required later to fair the leading edge. -No damage to boat at all-nice to have such a sturdy thing beneath you when the inevitable but unexpected happens. -Grady hull layups are superb.
Be Safe!
My flute is one of the earlier Ormistons, 5 key ( no long F ) and smaller tone holes than current models so it’s probably not as robust down at the bottom of the first octave as new models.
However for my skill level it’s just fine. I’m finding it gets easier to play all the time, in fact the more I play it the easier it gets.
I was able to use it almost immediately and still vary my playing between my Boehm and the Ormiston. It takes a while to get the finger memory changed ( especially F# and F nat being in different places ) but it’s all part of learning.
I have heard my flute played by very accomplished players who get it to sound a whole lot better than I can yet so that’s encouraging.
I’m soon attending a workshop being tutored by June Ni Cormach who will be recognised by many as a significant player and teacher so this will be a great opportunity for instrument comparison. More later maybe.
Hmmm … flutes and boats … interesting mix of topic. Mine’s a 1968 all wooden 10 metre masthead sloop. Flute playing on the back sure keeps the seagulls away.
Hi Bill,
Re. your post on the flute porn page. I’ll do my best, I think it’ll take a while though as I’m very much a beginner. What were you wanting to know about?
Cheers, Mac
Mac - My first wooden flute was an Ormiston and I frequently return to it for a time. Mine is number 436. I was wondering about your general reactons to its: ease of play, intonation and general reaction. He’s a great guy to do business with and to get responses from on various questions. Keep us posted and enjoy.
BillG
I’m still enjoying mine! It stacks up well against several others that I have tried recently. I got the 5 key and I haven’t really spent any time learning the keys; if I want chromatic, I invariably pick up my silver flute. But it does do nice things with the Cnat. I suppose that I could have saved myself the money and just got the Cnat key, but they do look so nice 
I’ll also chime in with accolades to Georges business practices. He’s very helpful and was always timely in communication.
As for ease of play, I rate it a 4.5R.
Erik
I’ve played a couple of Ormistrons, and i liked them. The intonation was good. The blowhole was nice and big, squarish, which usually means an easy flute to play. Felt a little different from what i’m used to in wooden flutes, i assume it would take me a couple of weeks to get to play one properly. I think Ormistrons are great flutes, and a bargain for their price.
I have a keyless Ormiston. I don’t find it extremely easy to play compared to other flutes, but I’m glad for it. It forced me to learn to play with a tight, focused embouchure; I had to learn to play correctly (I know that’s another discussion that’s been hashed about before). When I’m playing well the flute sounds great and is a good as anything else. I was in a room full of Olwells this weekend and I thought my flute sounded fine.
George was great to work with and the flute’s held up well. I only have two complaints. The silver on my flute went tarnished fairly soon and for the life of me I can not get it clean. I’ve tried everything. For all I know it’s a problem with how I’m cleaning it and I haven’t found the solution, but there it is. Also, the joints tend to stick. Not the cork, but the wood. And not just when you’d expect the wood to swell. I could take some sandpaper to it, but I’ve been reluctant to do so. I’m just careful working the joints in and I grease 'em up.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with the flute. The price was right and I lucked out with no waiting list. I contacted him and he just happened to have a flute sitting around that someone never paid for, so I got it the next week. I’m getting ready to order a six keyed Grinter (I played around on a couple of Kevin Crawford’s and boy are they great! Better when he plays them), but I think I’ll keep my Ormiston as well. Depends on how broke I am. It’s a good flute.
Hi Jerball,
I’m glad you enjoy your Ormiston and I think you are wise not to take sandpaper to it. If you contact George I’m sure he would advise you on the best course of action with the joints that are sticking. Regarding the silver tarnish problem, George recommends using Goddard’s long term silver polish cloth which does the job really well.