At session today, I met fellow chiffer Leel in person, and he brought along a boxwood Bleazley flute. I was surprised how much it reminded me of the Dixon 3 piece with regard to embouchure and tone hole size…but this thing really rocked. I’ll agree with all the boxwood lovers out that that it had a buttery sound. Despite the small tone holes, it was more than session loud.
In short, I really like it. Compared to my large tone hole M&E, I could play the Bleazley forever because it required very little air. Anyone who wants to give me theirs as a Christmas present will find a more than willing receiver at the Jayhawk household.
I suspect Phil and Tony based their flutes on the same or similar Rudalls. But I agree with you that the Bleazey is a blast to just sit down with and bang out a few tunes. It’s the only one of my first half-dozen or so flutes that I still own, and I would be surprised if I ever sell it. They were still pretty inexpensive when I bought mine, so I have no qualms about bringing it on flights, camping trips, etc.
I have one of Phil’s boxwood flutes as well. It’s fumed boxwood so it has that really pleasant amber/orange color of the really old stuff. The flute is a real pleasure to play.
