Seery vs. Seery

Irish Flute
1

Considering getting a Seery non-wood (delrin?) flute I see that there are two styles, referred to on the site as ‘senior’ and ‘junior’.

Apparently these are the two types mentioned on the Seery site, one being a ‘Pratton’ style with larger holes and greater volume, the other with smaller holes and a little less volume, but also with a different tone which some may prefer.

Desi makes two models of flute in Delrin. The most famous is his Pratten model. This is a large-hole flute suitable for the serious professional player. It has a powerful rich tone and a real bark. If you’re tired of the fiddler and box players drowning you out at the local session this is the flute for you.

Desi’s other design is a smaller-holed model. This is a fantastic flute as well. Though it has the body style of a Pratten it plays more like a Rudall. The smaller tone holes and less daunting spacing make for more economy of air and lightning-quick ornamentation. It still has plenty of volume for session work but the tone is more focused with slightly less bark. If you’re not sure you’re up to the demands of a Pratten-type flute or if you have smaller hands this might be a better choice.

In summary; if you value power growl and bark over all things get the large-hole model. If you are a more nuanced player and value crisp ornamentation over sheer power I’d suggest the “small-hole” model. Either way you won’t be disappointed. If you just can’t decide, buy both try them out and send one back for a refund (Warning: this tactic may result in owning two fantastic Seery flutes permanently!)

I have a couple of questions-

  1. Has anyone here experienced both of these and, if so, can they offer any further insights that may sway someone in deciding which to go for?

  2. While most posts I’ve read in my research have said that the Seery delrin is a fantastic flute in terms of intonation, at least one was less enthusiastic- that could well be down to personal opinion, but, given that there are two types of Seery, with different hole size/placement, my question is, are they both equally in tune, or, in your experience, is one version superior to the other?

  3. Further to question 2; given that each Seery one is hand made, so there’s obviously the possibility of the odd ‘dud’, or, are they known for being consistently good.

2

Your asking a few more questions than I can answer.

I played a standard Seery for several years, and I only sold it because I got a good deal on a used, keyed M&E. I’ve played a couple of other Seerys, and they seem very consistent and well made for the limited sample I’ve played.

I’ve also seen his small hole model, and small is a relative term. The holes were a bit smaller, but the finger spacing was just about the same IMHO.

HTH,

Eric

3

A Pratten style flute does have “larger” holes, and it can have a greater volume, but that is not to say that a Pratten, or a Pratten style, flute cannot play both softly, and in tune. Yes, it can. IMO, the Pratten (style) flute is the most versitile, ITM flute.

4

I have played many of both. They are very consistent. Desi does nice work.

The classification of “small-holed” is realtive to Desi’s “Large hole” model.

The “Small hole” Seery is not what I would call a small holed flute by any means. It is more manageable than the Large hole version. Both have plenty of volume for session work.

The Small holed one has a bit more focus in the tone and ease in ornamentation both of which I view as a plus.

Doc