I’m looking to upgrade from my Dixon 3-piece polymer flute to a keyless wooden one. My budget is somewhere between
$600-800.
So far, I have been most impressed by Skip Healy’s 2-piece blackwood, which seems to have a very clear & warm tone
(which is more important to me than volume) but I’ve also heard some good things about Hammy Hamilton, Dave Copley etc.
Can anyone help me ?!
<Can anyone help me ?!>
Yes - Hammy Hamilton, Dave Copley etc. are all great 
hope this helps
Skip’s stuff is quite different from the bulk of the other IrTrad things in my opinion. If your opinion is based on having played Healy instruments, then you have a good idea. If it’s based on sound bytes, I would strongly recommend you play one before you buy one, if at all possible.
He cuts his embouchure in quite a different way from most of the flutes you read about on here . . . they’re biggish square things with a distal cutaway (so they’re right- or left-handed).
Just trying to be helpful.
Stuart
The balance of Healy’s flutes is very different as well.
Loren
As the proud owner of not one but two of Skip’s flutes, I thought I might take a moment to chime in. I started with a keyles flute of unknown origin (a gift from a no longer significant other); but the finger spacing, balance and overall weight made my hand go numb in a matter of minutes - post Carpal Tunnel release surgery. I put the flute way and din’t play for almost a year. Then I had the good fortune of meeting up with SKip and trying his flutes. I left that day with a keyless flute with off set finger holes. I went home and played for 5 hours! JOY!!
For me then, the weight and balance are not issues, neither is the embouchure hole, as those too come in various sizes. The hole on my keyless differs in size from my keyed flute (yes, I “upgraded” this winter!) But each one has its merits.
Your best bet is to contact SKip and discuss what you’re looking for. He’ll work with you to find just the “right” flute. Better yet - come out East! Take a road trip and try out a few of flutes! You’ll never regret it!
Best of luck in your flute search!
Peach