Radcliffe on E-Bay

Is this what Paddy Carty used? http://cgi.ebay.com/Rudall-Carte-Co-Flute-Radcliff-System-/140577234934?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D130541423091%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1339590619129769067

Is this a relisted item?

Yes, it is relisted - seemingly the vendor has acquired rather more information about it than he put in his original listing. It does appear to be a Radcliff, though there is a tab key on the outer rod-axle opposite the R1 F# key which is not standard on a Radcliff (cf the sections on rRdcliff on Rick Wilson’s and Terry McGee’s websites). I can’t make out whether the main stamp mentions Radcliff, which they usually did. A pity about the cracks.

The earlier auction was # 140570670106, starting price GBP 800, with no bids, ending on July 6. Current one is starting at GBP 500.

Kevin Krell

Yeee-hah! I got it! (Pardon our interruption...) It arrived this-morning. It isn’t playable as is, but bar one strap-screw it is all there. The mechanism is sterling silver. The embouchure has an Ebonite bushing. There is a very worn remainder of the “Radcliff’s Model” cursive stamp below the main RC&Co address stamp and serial #. The sounding length is indeed 600mm, so it’ll play just dandy at A=440 once fixed up. There are no serious issues that weren’t illustrated on the eBay listing, and in fact the cracks are less serious looking in the flesh.

It will need a major overhaul - deep cleaning (it reeks of stale tobacco and appears to have tarry deposits as well as heavy silver tarnish - I suspect it may have been on display in a smoky environment as it clearly hasn’t been played for years), repad and some minor mechanical repairs and regulation. I probably won’t attempt it myself as although I’ve worked on Bohm systems in the past, I’m not practised at it and also I don’t really have time - so it’s going to cost me some more to get done, which may have to wait as I shouldn’t really have spent the money on buying it right now! :really: :poke: I’ll probably consult Arthur Haswell, but I’m guessing (from the repair section of his website) the work needed may well cost upwards of £350. Still, it cost me just over £740 to acquire, so even if the overhaul comes in at c £500, I’ll have something rather special for about £1250.

:party: :slight_smile: :smiley: :slight_smile: :party:

Congratulations!

yer addiction seems to be progressing nicely…

:smiley: :tomato: :thumbsup:

It will need a major overhaul - deep cleaning (it reeks of stale tobacco and appears to have tarry deposits as well as heavy silver tarnish - I suspect it may have been on display in a smoky environment as it clearly hasn’t been played for years), repad and some minor mechanical repairs and regulation. I probably won’t attempt it myself as although I’ve worked on Bohm systems in the past, I’m not practised at it and also I don’t really have time - so it’s going to cost me some more to get done, which may have to wait as I shouldn’t really have spent the money on buying it right now! > :really: > > :poke: > I’ll probably consult Arthur Haswell, but I’m guessing (from the repair section of his website) the work needed may well cost upwards of £350. Still, it cost me just over £740 to acquire, so even if the overhaul comes in at c £500, I’ll have something rather special for about £1250.

Crikes. I’m not sure whether to wish you ‘Congratulations!’ or ‘Bon Courage!’ :laughing:

Reading that list is enough to make me wilt. If I so much as have a recorking job, my heart rate rises and instantly I think I should flip the flute, rather than go through the trauma of the $$$ flute repair bill. Even a repad …discovering that the ‘pads on your flute, sir, are not listed in the current manufacturers’ catalogues and have not been for the past 100 years’ :laughing:

After all that energy put into it, I hope you decide to keep it and show us some more fabulous youtube clips with it. Seems a shame to have to flip it after all.

Nice One! :thumbsup:
It does looks nice even on the ebay photos

Glad you got it Jem! Can’t wait to hear some clips when the work is done.