Hi,
a couple of questions to the builders and the maintenance experts:
When do you recommend rereaming or repolishing the bore of a flute?
Is it necessary at all?
Do you recommend it rather for older or newer flutes?
Or maybe, when specific timber is involved?
Very interested to know what you think about these topics. And glad to learn.
Cheers, Moritz
Excellent Question!
I’m crazy busy the next few days, but I’ll get back when I have enough time to do the topic proper justice. I’m sure others will have plenty to share on the subject in the mean time.
It’s an interesting and rarely discussed topic.
Loren
we all look forward to hearing it! i know nothing about it, but i’ll chime in anyways.
it depends on the maker whether or not they recommend re-reaming. i know that certain pipe makers actually recommend re-reaming their flutes, even though they do not pump moisture through like they do. i know terry re-reams everything ahead of time (pre-reams?) by subjecting them to simulated, real-world conditions after being completed.
i dont know if the flute i have has been re-reamed. jon, did you re-ream it? i know that he did not adjust the tuning, as it is from 1864 and it is cough classically tuned. re-reaming a new flute can bring it new life, and the same goes for an old flute. however, you should be careful how you mess with your old flute, as it cant be undone. the problem with re-reaming old flutes is that they can have internal chambers for tuning, which need to be adjusted if the flute is re-reamed; if you ignore them while re-reaming, the flute may stop playing!
The only maker I know of who definitely recommends re-reaming is Phil Bleazey. Knowing Phil’s recommendation (re-ream after 6 mos-1 year, I think), I sent my flute back to Glenn Schultz after about a year. He basically said, “Looks like you’re taking care of it”, tightened up a loose ring and sent it back without touching the bore. I had Patrick Olwell have a look at my boxwood flute when I picked up an Eflat tube for it, and he said it looked fine. It was about two years old.
I never re-ream a antique, unless it is a flute that is out of tune, like some of the old German flutes. polishing a old bore is fine, reduces the losses in the air way. I use white scotch brights for this, taped on a rod, with a little tripoli polish. I chuck it up to the lathe, and polish at high speed.
Just a reminder for Loren. What were you thinking?
Good Point, better that I just keep my mouth shut.
Just as well really, gives me more time to listen to Harry Bradley’s latest - great stuff that. Quite enjoying it.
Loren
Loren