I have so much heresay about how it is to deal w. Sam Murray. Can I hear from those who’ve had 1st hand exp. in regards to his delivery times.
thanx
Does he have delivery times ?
He is reputed only to take ( huge ) deposits !
Sam Murray makes wonderful flutes. They play beautifully. His flutes have perfect tuning, large sound, nice woody tone, great craftsmanship, and come at very fair prices. He is also lovely, intelligent, and generous. No nicer person could be found.
But he is impossible to deal with. If you are at hand in your dealings with him you stand a chance. But it took many phone calls and many trips to Galway before I got my flute. I’m not sure the frustration was worth it. Other members of this list have sent deposits and have never heard from him again.
He isn’t venal-- as I said, he is lovely, kind, and generous. He is just very scattered and drinks more than is good for him.
However, there is now somebody working with him in the shop (a son?) so perhaps things are structured a bit better these days.
Sounds like it should be a policeman working with him, rather than a relative !
With respect, perhaps a discussion of this sort would be better conducted offlist.
The Sam Murray flutes I’ve come across at sessions for example have been very fine instruments both keyless and keyed. Have you thought about getting a second hand one, or advertising for one? They do seem to come on the market from time to time, Jessie sold two recently, and I think at least two others came up for sale in 2004. The same goes for Olwells and Grinters, I think four or five have been offered for sale on this forum in 2004.
I think this list is perfect for discussions of this sort. There isn’t such a thing as Consumers’ Reports regarding flute-makers, or EBay feedback. This list is the right venue for criticism as well as for praise.
I think David is correct that this forum is the place to make fair, kind and objective comments about flutes and flute makers. He has done this with admirable civility.
Paul
I have a Sam Murray. It did take two years of telephoning, visits in person to his Belfast studio, visits by friends to his studio, etc. to get it out to me. Then the original flute got lost in the mail with no tracking number and no serial number on the flute. He sent me another one within six months. I love the flute. It’s well worth the effort and the wait. It’s a work of art and you are working with an artist. I looked forward to receiving it for those years and am still working on becoming worthy of it after four years. Good luck, and be persistent and patient. - Kate
There has been such a lot of comment in the past that prospective purchasers need to know what is what.
If Mr Murray or his representatives or apologists feel they have anything to say to counter the complaints then they are free to put their case !
Modification attempt .No deletion option.
There has been such a lot of comment in the past that prospective purchasers need to know what is what.
If Mr Murray or his representatives or apologists feel they have anything to say to counter the complaints then they are free to damn well put their case !
Eh. Fair enough, I suppose, and I certainly have known people who have had a rough time ordering from Mr. Murray. But if I were him I’m sure I wouldn’t like reading on the internet that I’m “very scattered” and that I “drink more than is good for me.” IMHO such comments are better made in a private post than on a public forum that will be permanently on view by everybody forever.
It has been repeatedly asserted that Mr Murray has ignored or badly treated his customers. I have no personal knowledge or view.
Those allegations lie on the record.
Is it not better that such allegations are rebutted, if, in deed, there is anything to say ?
If there is nothing to say, because of guilt or inebriation or whatever,it is not better that customers should be warned to keep their cash in their pockets ?
Brazenkaine - His flutes are worth the money and the wait. I have one and know many other people with them and they are happy people - at least when playing their flutes.
Serious musicians should have no problem waiting for any flute - Sam Murray’s or anyone elses.
Hi all:
I knew Sam when I lived in Belfast in 1988-9, and ordered one of his flutes then, which still plays well. Sam is indeed a lovely man, very sweet, and impossible to deal with. I second those who have said that you have to deal with him in person to get any reasonable service. Some won’t mind the aggravation, some will. You pays your money…
Tim
BrazenKaine
Sam M. is lovely guy but a very particular man to deal with when it comes to business and you are either ‘lucky’ or not with your order..
He makes extremely good flutes though..
AL
http://homepage.mac.com/alberto20/FileSharing5.html
Does Mr Murray hope to die owing a lot of money ?
I know I do !
I ordered a blackwood keyless flute from Sam Murray maybe 7 years back. He told me it would take 6 months when I placed the order, but I waited about 15 - 18 months before it was done.
He was friendly to chat to over the phone, but I got the impression he deliberatly understated the length of his waiting list to get my order. His flutes are great though. If I placed an order now I would probably go for Hammy Hamilton’s flutes instead. Waiting time and apparently they’re just as good.
I highly recommend the Seth Gallagher Pratten style flute.
If you would like to hear a clip of mine email me :
big ballsy perfectly in tune, can play sweetly too, great key work (Bb can be keyed w/ right hand or left thumb), key blocks are low so if you play w/ piper style flat fingers on flute -there’s no problem. NO HASSLE quick delivery time-ON TIME! Seth is a great person to order from. He’s no -bs, efficient, great buisness ethics.
hows that for a plug!?!
What do you think of the bore of that flute? I remember a while back seeing one for sale on the board, and the comment was that it was billed as Pratten-style, but that it had a really narrow bore. And that came from someone who’s got a lot of experience with flutes, I think.
(That flute == Gallager’s)
Stuart