I just thought I’d post some impressions of the Seth Gallagher flute I’ve recently had the opportunity to play and scrutinize.
First off, perhaps it’s different from the other SG flutes mentioned here, but the bore is about the same diameter (if not slightly larger) than my Olwell Pratten. Nice and big, if you like big. The walls are a little thinner, though, which makes the flute seem more . . . hmm, slender?
This one is made from ebony, which is only an option because Seth somehow seals the bore. It’s very lightweight and has a nice, crisp tone. Also has a partially-lined head (which is I think the only way Seth does slides).
It’s a six-key, with the Bb key operated by the RH thumb (the key is sort of parallel to the Cnat). That option is cheifly for folks who play piper-style, but it does seem to allow for a more ergonomic position of the LH thumb. You’ve basically got a lot of real estate on which to put your thumb. Maybe I think it’s ergonomic because I hold the flute funny, but it does seem nice. The keywork action is solid, and the keys are well-made sterling saltspoon style. Flat springs.
Nice instrument. I think it means there’s another player for folks who want flutes for Irish music!
My W.E.Potters are made of ebony.
I think the ebony available then was of choice quality. One of them is very good, and the other is quite superb. I am not aware that questions of sealing have arisen in the last 190 years.
Just a matter of denser, closer grained wood, perhaps.
Sealing is uncommon in flutes but very common in other woodwinds . . . so the question has indeed arisen in the past 190 years, just perhaps not for simple-system flutes.
I don’t know that the timbers used in the 19th century were always as much better as you postulate, Andrew; you certainly have a skewed sample of the flutes which have survived. Though . . . I suppose with Rudall’s books, we could make a guess as to how many of that firm’s instruments survive.
Out of curiosity, what are the production versus survival numbers? Any idea?
Sorry Sturob. I meant no problem with my ebony flutes as regards their lack ( ?) of sealing, , since they were made 190 years ago.Not sealing generally. It may simply be that they haven’t had much use.
I get complacent !
I don’t see many ebony flutes. French or German used it,I guess, it isn’t an English thing. Perhaps it was tho good supply of cocus from the West Indies colonies used for English flutes and good continental supplies of ebont for their workshops.
I expect that a good proportion of Rudall & Rose flutes will be found eventually. TerryMcGee will have a better idea of survival rates, perhaps.
He knows most things !
How he finds time to write it all down is the great Mystery of the antipodes.
I know nothing !, as I specialise in taking luncheon. and postprandial naps.
I should have added that I also specialise in being misunderstood. that is partly my fault and partly the fault of a certain distiller of Scotch whisky.
Thinking about what you say it occurs to me that I really do know little, but rarely have the pleasure of finding anybody who does know much at all. Most subjects seem to have great experts. Porecelain, paintings, violins ,etc. But not wind instruments. No money in them, I guess.
I am a poor person so I am trying to train my tastebuds downwards.
The millenium ( 12 year old ) Glenmorangie was particularly nice. Funny that they couldn’t keep selling something similar.
And the ordinary Balvenie.
If you are worried about not using up your good bottle I shall look after it for you, and only lie when you ask if I am looking after it. I shall mutter about getting my tenses mixed up !
Laphroaig is quite enjoyable, I think. Juice of the bog.
I should mail in the little form that entitles me to become a (very small) landowner–1 square foot, somewhere on Islay. I figure if I could get two of these plots about 30 feet apart, I could set up a volleyball net.
It plays very well. It’s nicely in tune with each other, and it really does have a nice tone. It is different from my main flute, which is an Olwell Pratten, but it’s quite nice. It seems really easy to get that Irish sound out of it.
The flute’s also quite ergonomic. I also really like the ebony.
So . . . nice instrument. It’s not like Seth’s not an experienced instrument maker; I think he’s another option for people wanting a good Irish flute.