Skip Healy flute

Irish Flute
1

Just wondering what you think about Skip Healy’s flutes. I have one, it was my first. I bought it for $800 two years ago and just recently bought a new one. Cannot decide whether to keep it. I have noticed that many of you collect flutes; what’s your advice on selling it?
And if so, how much?
M

2

What are the differences between the previous and new flutes?

Cheers,
Aaron

3

What I meant was that I’ve just recently got a new Olwell flute, not a Healy. Sorry about that.
M in Shanghai

4

Do watch that you are not kidnapped by naughty sailors, Baggins !

5

It’s a good thing I don’t go to too many bars. When I first read your response though, I thought you meant “don’t be kidnapped by naughty sailors” in a different way.
So, the Skip Healy?
M

6

Oh, well that’s a significant difference. What model Healy? 2 or 3 piece? Blackwood?

7

It’s a three piece with the sterling silver tenons. I’ve read mixed reviews about the thing, and it doesn’t seem to play as well for me as the Olwell–though strangely, after buying the Olwell, I can now play my Healy better. Is that normal?
M

8

Healy’s just play…well…differently…

Never been able to really make up my mind as to why, but certainly I would say keep it…somedays it sings when nuthin’ else will…

See: http://www.skiphealy.com/frames/fr_spec-requests.htm

9

A new 3-piece Healy goes for $1000 so keep that in mind when pricing it (if you decide to sell it). As for whether to sell it, that’s a personal decision.

Cheers,
Aaron

10

Thanks for the input.
M

11

Healy’s just play…well…differently…

Never been able to really make up my mind as to why, but certainly I would say keep it…somedays it sings when nuthin’ else will…

Jack - would you be a bit more specific. I also have a Healy three piece keyless and there are days when I would like to lay it against a wall and step on it – but, of course, I don’t as there are those days . . .

BillG

12

I suspect it’s just that a Healy is a Healy is a Healy…its basically his own design and just doesn’t seem to correlate with my other flutes…of course that’s probably the best reason to keep it!

Mine is the rod-keyed version…plays just like the unkeyed if you dont use them…as far as I can tell anyway…

http://www.skiphealy.com/frames/main/instr_spec-requests.htm

13

It isn’t worth keeping a flute you don’t like. You won’t enjoy playing it. So what’s the point of having it? It will be frustrating and will turn you away from the music.
It’s obvious from this thread that there aren’t as many people who are enamoured of Skip’s flutes, as compared to people who love flutes made by such other makers as Casey Burns, Dave Copley, Patrick Olwell, Hammy Hamilton or Sam Murray.
Sell the flute-- you won’t get a lot for it, unfortunately, unless you are very lucky. Take the money from the sale and buy a flute that you won’t hate.
I have never cared very much for Skip’s flutes, even if He can play them at a zillion miles an hour. Are there listers who really love their Healy flutes? I know that Andra Bonet loves hers.
IMHO, they take a lot of effort and the tone is a bit dirty, or breathy. I prefer a cleaner, more focused sound.
(Edited fior typos. Nursing my cold with hot whiskey.)

14

I had a go at one last year, wasn’t my bag either. A bit too “open” and unfocused for my taste. I also tend to not care for flutes with short footjoints. I find the balance to be off. Even though they’re lighter, I find it more difficult to hold them well.

Jeez, I had to make 3 edits for typos, I think I need more coffee…

15

I’m not sure whether it’s normal, but it mirrors my experience. I have one flute I have to fight a bit with, and if I play my other two, that are easier players, for a week or so and go back to the other, I definitely find it easier. I have no idea why that’s the case, but have a couple of suspicions. First, it’s possible that I improve a noticeable amount in that time. Second, and I think more likely, is that I’m a bit more relaxed approaching it after some time with easy players.

Some may ask why I keep it. The reason is that when I’m on, it’s an absolutely fantastic sounding flute, and the sound is extremely versatile. Also, it plays better in the third register than any of my others – easier to hit the notes, and they’re more in tune, so for those tunes like the Fairy Queen and Hugn O’Donnell, it can’t be beat.

16

I too have noticed that it plays quite well the higher one goes–though honestly I enjoy the lower registers for tone and feel.
M