which flute makers do use a very slim profile.
I know about Grinter.
Loren commented on Glenn Watson having a slim profile.
I don’t agree on aebi as I play this currently, myself.
Are there other slim profile flute makers around?
NO hurry…just still in the considering stages, remembering it was easier to relax my hands when I had a grinter on loan long ago… esp right hand.
berti
You will probably find that a number of flute makers would custom make you an instrument with a slimmer profile even though that may not be one of their standard models. You may want to contact a number of makers whose work you like, and ask them if they would make a flute to your specification. My guess is that you would get a yes from some and a no from others.
Dave Copley
Loveland Ohio
Bryan Byrne flutes
I have lost a lot of weight, so how slim are you talking about? 
I made a slim Pratten for you a couple of years ago, and you sold it…
awww jon…I am sooooo sorry!! can you ever forgive me
I am more of a ruddal kind of girl I discovered…
who knows what will cross my path.
hope all is well with you!
cheers
berti
Hey Berti 
Jon makes skinny Rudalls too! 
Good advice from Dave C.: Better to check with the maker(s) who do flutes that you know you like in terms of playability, tuning, consistency, customer service, etc. first, rather than go with and unknown (to you) flute, which may fit your hand well, but leave you flat (lousy pun intended) in the other important areas.
So you are a right handed player Berti, looking for a flute with a slim right hand section?
Loren
The Lehart keyless flutes I’ve played are very sleek and slim.
I tested a carbon fiber flute from the pipemakersunion (http://www.carbony.com/). It wasn’t really what I liked, but it is the skinniest I’ve ever played.
Pat
His low D whistles are very nice. Quite but very nice. Would be even better with a carbon head.
The flute that I tried was less than what should be desired. Its an interesting idea. I hope he keeps experimenting.
Frekin’ thin though!
thanks all.
I will sure follow Dave and Loren’s advice…
It would have been nice if I could try before I buy but unfortunately there isn’t much (if anything) around here in netherlands.
Looks like most (known) slim profile makers are in Europe anyways, which might come in handy.
Also, my next flute could be a keyed one so I better be well informed, I thought.
And yes, I am a right handed player, Loren
It dawned to me I could try an antique flute with a slender profile for a while and see if this is REALLY what I want before I do anything I would maybe regret.
Then I know where to get one…
Ah well…a fluteplayer needs to have something to dream about, don’t we.
Cheers
Berti
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Sam Murray. These are quite slender and comfy.
Perhaps it is because threads where Murray flutes are mentioned tend to get locked.
These are quite slender and comfy.
Almost like playing no flute at all…
Loren
Murray Flutes: Wow - I am a disappointed buyer of a Murray flute.
Sam failed to deliver after many months, and to give him credit, he sent me a cheque for most of what I paid him. He indicated he had health problems. He still owes me some money and I hope his postdated cheque doesn’t bounce.
That being said, his flutes have a good reputation, my advice just don’t try to do business with him directly.
Chuck
My Aebi Pratten actually has a very slim and hand-friendly profile, as the others I tried had, including his new 2009 model. They’re not as skinny as others, but definitive skinnier than, say, a Reviol or a Seery. It might depend on the player’s hands if a flute is considered to be slim or not, though.
I have one of Jon’s rudalls, like this beauty.
I can’t say enough about it- absolutely love it, he definately knows his craft!
It has gotten many compliments around the sessions…
Matt
Berti, why do you want a flute with a slim profile? If it’s because it’s easier to hold, you might also want to consider weight/balance. I never found the Grinter to feel slim at all because it was so damned heavy and especially head-heavy.
To me the small-holed Olwell feels very slim. I haven’t taken calipers to it (yet) to measure its actual diameter.
Skip Healy’s flutes are slim. Coming from baroque flutes, It took me a while to get used to the profile.
You can see how the barrel is turned down after the joint:
http://www.skiphealy.com/node/142
Loren’s comment that Murray flutes are so sleek that they are “almost like playing no flute at all” has my vote for the post of the year. Don’t know if there is an award or anything, but with a line that good there should be.
yesterday a friend emailed me his opinion and it made me change my mind.
he told me that a slim profile flute would also be a lot thinner and be more prone to cracks.
that makers would not be willing to guarantee such a flute because of the risks and that the buyer should be aware of this.
I had not thought about this…
so, if this is true then it’s off alltogether.
and will just have to work more on posture and grip to relax more.
and I will have to see whatever will cross my path in the future and then I can still make decisions.
if lightning strucks then I can always discuss with whatever maker at the very moment.
what do you think? maybe there will come a chance to try a few flutes sometime but not anytime soon…
berti