I just retrofit some additional keys on a flute that already had the short F and the G#. One of the keys is a Bb placed where the C natural usually goes. The two piece middle joint required the G# key to be across the flute rather than along the length of the flute complicated things. The solution was to gracefully arch the key over the G#.
I actually like this arrangement. The G# key posts end up not being under the long F key touch, allowing the long F to be more snug to the body. Plus the long F can be corked with a cork button rather than gluing cork to the key. I’ve seen French Flutes and some American flutes done in similar fashion, though usually with the long C natural key.
You know Casey, you can feel free to mail me that flute right now…you do seriously gorgeous work, and I’m sure the owner would be happy to let me have it, too.
Not so fast there Eric! I’ve barely been able to let it out of my OWN hands since I got it back, let alone send it off again!
Seriously, though, this flute is a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship and has been ever since Casey made it for me back in 2010 as a keyless model. I have had keys retrofit onto it twice now (short Fnat and G# the first time, and now the Bb, long Fnat, and Eb) and it has just gotten better and better. It’s worth noting that every time I have dealt with Casey regarding this instrument, he has been a pleasure to deal with and his turnaround time is quite impressive as well.
What is not quite as obvious from Casey’s photos but what is really the most impressive part of the instrument is how beautifully Casey fitted the keys to my hands. He had me send him pictures of me playing from several different angles and used those to place the keys where they would be out of the way until needed, but convenient to the fingers when they are called for. I am amazed at how well he accomplished this - they are exactly where they need to be - even the “long” Bb key, which required some creativity on Casey’s part to accomplish with the “across the flute” G# key!
I could not be happier with Casey’s work and, if he had not beaten me to it with this thread, I was shortly going to put up another “in praise of Casey” post. His craftsmanship and skill as a flutemaker needs to be recognized publicly. Kudos to you, Casey, and to anyone who may be looking for a flute with fantastic tone and intonation, with an awful lot of bang for the buck as well, Casey deserved your serious consideration!
looks stunning ! i like the G# this way, much more comfortable to use then tucked under the long F.
to me, the post mounted keys are visually nicer the blocks.
beautiful work Casey !
Sam, like you, I very much admire and appreciate Casey’s work. I’m the proud owner of a couple of his flutes–my all time favorite is a 6 keyed Box Wood flute which he made for me almost two years ago–a wonderful insterment, beautiful sound and craftsmanship. I had the six keys retro-fitted about a year after I had purchased it from Casey–what a great job he did!!
Just as an aside, I’ve seen several posts on this forum about flute cases, and the various cases that people have obtained/ made themselves etc. It’s been my experience that a flute case that is well made and designed to fit a particular flute, unless you make it yourself, can get costly quick. I did some research in the matter and had a case made for the Burns flute mentioned above, prior to the addition of the keys; the case was made by Northwind, a company out of Ariz. When I added the keys to the flute, the case had to be altered to accommodate the addition of the keys, either that or a new case made. Casey, being the kind of professional that he is, worked with the fellow at Northwind Cases (who, by the way is a great guy and a wonderful craftsman in his own right) and was able to fit the keyed flute to the case with some minor alteration. What a combination, a beautiful flute with a beautiful leather covered hard case (French Style). I might mention that Casey had no affiliation with Northwind Cases and did what he did because he, in my opinion, is dedicated to making the customer happy. How does it get any better than that, especially in this day and age? So, there you have it, quick turn around time for maintainance and retro-fitting, plus a short, short wait time for manufacture of the flute itself.
