Hope I spelt these correctly. I 've played a Tony Dixon polymer (Delrin?) and it was OK, but I had trouble on the high B. 99% chance that’s my faulty lip. However, I have no B trouble on my old Sweetheart Rosewood. How does the Dixon compare to the M&E I’ve heard so much about? And since I’ve been reading the posts about Seery’s, how do they stack up with the others? I’ve got a nice Copley blackwood (no trouble on ANY note), but I live in Florida and gig outdoors so something non-wood would be nice to have. Thanks in advance for sharing.
I have a polymer M&E and I also have trouble with that old high B. But I’ve only been playing for about 3 months so it is probably 100% me! Nice flute though, when I can get a half decent sound out of it, it sounds great. Now, all I need is another 10 years or so… 
I have owned all three (Seery, Dixon, M&E). I also had problems with the high B on the Dixon, but I was a new player then (had it for my first 8 months or so of playing). I’m not sure I’d have the same problem now.
The Seery and M&E are significant steps up from the Dixon. They’re both very good flutes, and I suspect you’d be happier with either one. The Seery is pratten based and has a drier “prattenish” sound than the M&E…it’s also more in tune with the modern scale whereas the M&E R&R, while not out of tune, retains some of the tuning quirks of older flutes (slightly flat Fnat, low D, etc.). The M&E also has a darker sound - overall, it’s just more “rudallesque”.
I know that doesn’t help much. I liked them both, but only have an M&E now because I got it in a killer deal from Doc, it’s keyed while my Seery wasn’t, and I only need one flute, especially one polymer one.
The Seery is prettier - it’s finish on par with a really good wooden flute. The M&E is more industrial looking, but the interior finish and sound is just as good as the Seery.
Really - either will do for you unless you have a preference sound-wise for a pratten based flute or rudall based flute. Ooh, one final thought, the M&E is machined from rod stock PVC and has a lower softening/melting point than the Seery which is made from delrin. If you think you might accidentally leave it in the car in Florida in the summer, the Seery won’t be as likely to go soft on you (the M&E’s softening/melting point is just above 140, delrin is up in the 200s I think).
Jon C on this board also supposedly makes very good delrin pratten or rudall based flutes for about the same price…I’ve not played one so can’t give a formal review, but people I know via the net and trust really like his instruments so I think one of his would work for you, too.
Eric
Oops - double post and now I don’t see a delete button…silly forum.
Eric
Jon C on this board also supposedly makes very good delrin pratten or rudall based flutes for about the same price…I’ve not played one so can’t give a formal review, but people I know via the net and trust really like his instruments so I think one of his would work for you, too.
I can wholeheartedly verify this. I received one in Eb from him just this last Monday and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it.
I agree with everything Jayhawk said.
I play both Seery and M&E now, they are both very nice flutes. I like the sound of the M&E more, but I’m acctually concidering swiching to an 8-key Seery, because these days I play flute mostly in ensembles and very little solo and the Seery, being tuned to a modern scale just sounds slightly better with other instruments. Plus it’s about the best deal you can get on a quality 8-key block mounted flute.
I play a M&E polymer, and I think it’s a nice flute. It has a strong tone, good volume, and is built strong. I have heard it’s a little on the heavy side, but I have gotten used to it. Though I am still getting used to the flute, I owned a Seery at one point and found it harder to play, but the Seery was definitely prettier.
-Casey
Wow, really, Henke? Is that the best deal around for an 8 key? 450 euros (Delrin D) + 1600 euros for 8 keys=2050 euros=$2730 USD! I know I haven’t been shopping for one, but it sounds like a lot to me! Doesn’t Maurice Reviol put out a really nice flute (post mounted I know) for a lot less? He’s gotten some very positive feedback too! Why block then? Just curious, as I may be down this road in the future (hopefully before I die, anyway)!
Anyway, my vote goes to Paddy Ward for his Delrin D-amazing stuff compared to the others I’ve tried! And, I really liked the Seery I had, and thought the M&E pretty darn nice too (sound and playability). Never tried a McGee, but this Ward is something else!
I’d put in a plug for the playability of Jon C delrin flutes. I am currently playing his medium hole Rudall copy, and am very pleased with the sound, tuning, and response.
Hugh
On a side note, Glenn Watson sells a 6 key flute for 1400 Euro, which seems very reasonable to me.
Hugh
Go with the Jon C. I love my M&E, but it has still taken me a while to get used to the old tuning “features” of the M&E R&R. If Jon made keys on his flutes, I would sell everything and get that, but he has been stringing me on for about 1-2 years now…first he gets the equipment…then he replaces some old keys on an antique flute…so at least he is going to right direction.
Get a Jon C.
I like my Jon C a lot. (?medium? holed R & R). Good guy to work with, too. He spent a fair amount of time patiently answering questions and guiding me to the model that matched what I wanted in a flute.
It’s a far better flute than I am a player. It sounds good even with my so/so playing, but every so often everything falls into place and I get some hint of what it’s actually capable of.
And, being Delrin, it’s tough. It rides in my carry-on bag when I travel. So far, it’s been played all across the US, western Canada, and Taiwan, but I’ve only had it a year. Give it a few more and who knows how well-traveled it will be?
Seems like Desi has changed his price list somewhat from what I remember. Okay then, count me out of the Seery market, it’s just not worth it any more.
To be honest, I’d much rather go with one of Jon’s flutes, I’m sure he’ll make a better job with the keys as well, and I’m not really in a hurry yet.
The thing is that if I’m going to replace my M&E with anything, it has to be an 8-key block mounted delrin flute. That’s just the way it has to be. I’m not interested in wood, and I’m not interested in post mounted keys.
I don’t think Paddy makes delrin flutes any more does he?
What fingering are you using for high B? XOXOXO?
If Delrin, why does it have to be block mounted?
Hi Henke - Des raised his prices right when I was going to add 4 keys to my Seery…which is what led me to the M&E I now play. I wish he had a “cheap” key option - because I’m OK with post mounts and would love an 8 key polymer flute.
What kind of ensemble are you playing with and what instrumentation is there? I play only in sessions - although I have played a few gigs with 3-4 other folks - but I don’t notice the M&E being out of tune with the fiddles or the boxes (both button and accordion). I just opened the tuner program on my computer (I was fiddling around with Ger the Rigger and Julia Delaneys this morning), and the only note for me that’s out of tune these days is the low F# which is still a tad flat…I’m obviously compensating when playing the higher F#, the low D, etc.
Then again, maybe it wasn’t the tuning but simply me…and I’ve progressed as a player.
Back to the original post - apparently a Seery, M&E, Jon C or Ward will do…all steps up from the Dixon. In all honesty, the player matters much more than the flute, and you simply need to fine a good flute you like, stick with it, and not worry about finding any “holy grail” of flutedom.
Eric
Eric, I play in a band called Renkilt, and since we’re now a recording band it just became a hell of a lot more important to be well in tune. It’s noticeable.
I believe he does-it’s still on his price sheet, and had made some fairly recently from what I’ve heard, but it seems Delrin is as popular with him to work with as it is with Jon C.!
Paddy doesn’t take orders any longer for any flutes, (at least it says so on his website), but Doc Jones ( theirishflutestore.com ) as a dealer for Ward flutes, has some listed as coming in the near future (a Rudall too!). As far as I know, that’s the only place you can get them new, unless you see one listed on Paddy’s website that is ready to go.
Paddy definitely runs a low profile operation. Though if you talk to Doc, he may be able to shed some light on the situation if you are ready to order a flute. Don’t know if he’s ever made any keyed Delrin flutes, or even if he would.