http://hallflutes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=10
Has anyone seen these before??? DO they sound good? They look awsome. Almost worth it to buy one just too look at!
I own a Hall low D flute. It is really pretty to look at and it can actually be played. It really does get attention when you start playing it. And the sound is fairly nice.
That said, you should be warned that these are really more of a novelty than a true instrument. The embouchure is kind of picky (I handed mine to a concert flautist and she thought it was pretty, but it was just too hard to blow, when compared to her silver flute, also ErikT has played with mine and I don’t think he is planning to buy one based on the experience). This is very unlikely to be your primary session instrument. Ever.
If what you want is an instrument to learn the flute, there are much better instruments to use. If you want a very pretty piece of glasswork that can also be played as a flute, the price is quite fair. (As a spare-time hot glass worker, I am not sure how Hall can have such low prices for the work involved. He must have some automation in the process.)
-Patrick
I have one of those in G, and it does sound pretty good. I haven’t played any wooden flutes (just Boehm flute), and I suppose the sound is quite different, but the crystal flute is worth buying, in my opinion; in fact, I have been thinking of getting another one, in D.
I also have a G. Some time ago (do a search on Hall crystal and whistle I think should get it) I also contacted them with interest about a glass whistle. I don’t think they’re going to pursue it.
I’m a non-flute player, so this is more a pretty piece for me rather than an instrument for playing.
These have been around for quite a while. I have one in D, and I like it pretty well. I sometimes play it in church. I used to have one in G, and it did shatter.
P.S. Thought I’d also mention that when playing a clear wind instrument, everyone can see the condensation as it accumulates. The glass is beautiful, the condensation is not.
A while back a local store was selling Hall Flutes for low prices. I bought a bunch and sold some on this site. I still have low D and G flutes and C piccolos. E-mail me at ninjarock13@cs.com if interested.
Prices are unbeatable:
Low D: $35
Low G: $30
C Piccolo: $25.
If you say you want one and give me your address I consider that an order and will ship it. Payment is by honor system.
Tom.
(I belive some of the folks who have posted bough from me.)
Yeah,
Tom (E=Fb) is a good egg. Great guy to deal with and you can’t beat the price. I bought several from him for one of my daughters…I agree with what has been said above…nice-looking, nice-sounding, breakable and not a serious session flute.
Doc
By the way Walden do you have something against frosted glass? 
My daughter has the Ivy flute in C and I just got the Poppy piccolo in C as well. I find it a bit hard to get used to the distance between holes but will get there I am sure. Not hard for me to half hole because of playing the whistle but not so easy for daughter.
In this clip of Tuaz, Gary, BrassBlower, and me, I am playing Hall D Crystal Flute (albeit, poorly) on the first stanza.
personally, i love my crystal low d. it has a different embochure and sound from my m & e rosewood/bloodwood.. but i expected as much, as all flutes have their own personality. i would use either/or for session playing, and practice on both to keep me from getting too used to only using my mouth and fingers in one particular way/be more versatile.
its all in the individuals preference. . .
one thing to think of.. most concert flutests play the silver flutes with lip plates.. and padded keys.. the crystal has neither.. it expects you to have a very particular embouchure and cover the holes with your fingers.. flutes without lipplates and key’s are a different sort of beastie than those with them.. switching between the two can be rather tricky. . . its different enough going between a wood keyless and a crystal..