I’m doing some research on Rudall & Rose-style instruments…the plan is to eventually buy one, as I like the sound and feel of such instruments best.
My list of possibilities is:
Aebi, Byrne, Grinter, Cameron, John Gallagher, Grinter, and Noy.
Of those, I’ve played a Grinter and a couple Camerons (copies of Chris Norman’s flute). I liked the tone and response of all of them, but I loved the smaller holes on the Cameron flutes–ornaments were a real pleasure to play, and the tone was incredibly harmonically rich.
I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of price and wait time for six key flutes by Brian Byrne and John Gallagher.
Also, general remarks on any of the above would interest me.
Thanks!
Pat Olwell also makes a Rudall-style flute with pretty small holes. If you’re looking for a keyed flute, though, it’ll be quite a wait.
Yeah, I’m not so keen on waiting 7-10 years!
I’m also thinking, with exchange rates what they are, I’ll probably stick with a US maker, so that would narrow the list to Byrne, Cameron, Gallagher, or Noy. Other than Peter Noy, none of these makers have a web page, so any info on prices/waiting list would be great.
your best bet is to contact them directly for pricing and wait time. rumor has it that bryan byrne might be looking for some orders. he had been only working part time on his flutes in the past few years (due to other work committments) but might be in the process of expanding his flutemaking hours. so jump in while you can.
Well, that is an idea, rama… I was just taking the lazy road. I think I will get in touch with some makers and get the info first hand.
I understand that former board member David Migoya has an 8-key Grinter with lip plate for sale.
I do not know any details of the offering, but he had posted something as I recall on the other flute board. I do not know Mr. Grinter’s work but I understand it to be quite good and as close to a real Rudall as they come nowadays.
A matter of opinion, true, but nevertheless the accolades are numerous.
I have checked with Mr. Migoya and he does indeed have an 8-key Grinter flute for sale in cocus. He described it to me as a year old and having acquired it from a noted player in Ireland who traded it in for an original Rudall/Rose. The flute has a lip plate.
You may email Mr. Migoya at “rudallrose @ earthlink . net” for additional details of this flute. I separate the elements of the email address for those pirating spam mail trollers that worm through the internet world!
I thought it best to inquire for the benefit of others. I have little experience with the man so I can not say of his background but he seems to have his admirers, as well I imagine his detractors.
I don’t think Byrne is now making keyed flutes.
John (mccormackjohn) on this list has a new Gallagher keyed R&R that he was going to list on ebay, he is a great guy, and I would get intouch with him, it’s a great flute from what I understand, and a great way to cut the wait time.
Why not go with the Cameron, if you liked it that much?
I’ll say… after 5 years without getting even a slight indication of when it would be made – I gave up. I ended up getting a fully-keyed Grinter, and I’m very pleased with it. I just happen to have had the same Rudall & Rose (by Wylde) that Grinter modeled his after, and his flute matched it in every way. When you put them side-by-side it’s hard to tell which is which. It was as if I went back in time and ordered one new from the Rudall & Rose shop. Every other flute I saw in Ennis was made by Grinter. Highly recommended.