6-key McGee “Pratten Perfected” flute, blackwood with “rounded rectangles” embouchure
Unlined head, block mounted keys, cork-lapped tenons (with scoring underneath for thread lapping if you prefer).
Silver keys, slide, etc.
No cracks, no leaks, totally non-fussy “get 'er done” personality
It’s a big, honest flute, surprisingly light for its size. It never has a bad day, and the keywork is terrific. I played it hard and took care of it well for over two years, and now it’s time for someone else to get as much out of it as I have. It’s one of those dark, booming flutes that’s very simple and instantly gratifying to play, but spending more time with it (i.e., weaning yourself away from the initial thrill of honking and slamming low D’s into the ground) will uncover some nice nuance and complexity.
I paid 3000 USD for it and would like to recoup the cost; I’ll throw in a Hamilton “Mooincon” hard case (worth around $110 these days, I think) plus a cleaning rod and silk swab.
It looks just like the Pratten Perfected on Terry’s site, but I probably have some pictures somewhere. I’ll try to record a couple of sound clips to send along to anyone interested in the next few days; PM me if you’d like to know more.
I’ve gone kind of “Rudall” myself and am pretty settled with my Murray, so this one’s not being played like it should. And then of course there’s that darned economy …
But impending starvation be darned … I would also consider an equal-value trade for a functional practice set of u-pipes. (I can’t help myself)
wow catski,
the Hoss has the biggest sound out of any Pratten flute i have played,
also, i remember the keywork to be the most reliable i have used.
all in all, for someone playing at sessions who wants a great flute, with huge sound, easy to play, and very reliable, this flute is a good as they come.
Thanks, guys! It’s a great flute and I’m sad to sell it, but ruthless times require ruthless … etc. And it is silly to have this mighty beast going unworked.
(After four years as basically “pasture ornaments,” I’m starting to view my non-flute (aka “actual”) horses with a similar eye – yes, they should look nervous!)
And e-skya! It’s so good to hear from you; I’ve missed you. How’s everything? I hope fairly peaceful and flute-wonderful. Have your kids started the soon-to-be-hottest Irish band in the world yet?
Ditto you, Jennie – hope school’s going well, and thanks for the salmon offer. I’ve got a bunch of green tomatoes left in the garden … wanna trade? They should be ripe by Christmas …
Again, thanks, guys. It’s been a year-and-a-half of a year is all I can say.
Peace to you all, and thanks for the good thoughts.
Wowsa! This is big news . . . end of an era and all that. But I certainly can’t fault your love of the Murray.
Selling an instrument is hard. . . . recently I’ve had to part with my highland pipes (no place to practice them/unusable in a session) and both of my Rickenbacker guitars (great fun but I can’t justify having them when I use my Irish stuff so much more.) It’s weird. .. you want to keep everything you get because one day you’ll get the itch to play it again. But that somebody else gets the chance to make music is more important, IMO, in the long run.
Is Hoss still hanging around the corral?!! And are you ridin’ him more lately to say goodbye?
It’s hard to part with these things, I know, but if you’re going to town on the Murray all the time, it does make sense. It’s hard to switch back and forth a lot between different flutes and get somewhere on all of them-I know, I’ve been a flute tester now for about 3 years, and I think my time to retire from that is about up! Gettin’ tarred of it!
Should be someone around these parts who wants a Mighty Big Hoss like your’n!
Now, where is that horse---- emoticon when you need it?
Yup, it looks like The Hoss is heading off to a new ranchero, and it appears a loving home with lots of carrots. I took it to our session last night for a last blast, and besides my fingers falling into the RH holes (:lol: – it really felt like they were!), it was indeed a blast – I remembered how much fun it can be to knock a banjo flat.
I’ll miss the big guy. But Wormdiet said it all – they need to be making music.
Finally, thanks to you all for your kind words and friendship. And a big thanks (and congratulations) to Hoss’s new owner!
(I can’t help myself)
But Wormdiet said it all – they need to be making music.