Sourcing bamboo, help please

Irish Flute
1

I am having fun making flutes from PVC but I would like to start making them in bamboo, or at least start the learning process in making them.

I checked at all the local places I could think of and could not find any applicable bamboo so I started a search for a wholesaler in Canada that I can order from.

I found this site but have no idea if this is suitable bamboo. The second one down says it is Tonkin cane and is about 1 inch. That is thicker than what I want but wouldn’t there be some that is thinner? I was aiming for 3/4".

Is that the right kind and roughly the right size? Any other suggestions?

2

Hi

I know of just just one bamboo flute source and it’s
in Fort Worth, Texas, USA:

One World Trading

www.one-world-trading.com/flutesbamboos.shtml

Regards, Andres

3

oh wow! excellent! Thanks for posting about them.

Seems a bit high but when you consider that they are ready to go, i.e. already bored out, seems decent enough.

I think if I want to make these to sell though I will need a proper wholesaler. That $20 cost eats into a selling price of $50 pretty fast.

4

Sheesh! Just noticed this company sells bamboo flutes super cheap…$32 for a D flute. That’s insane. Well, maybe not…if they suck. :slight_smile: Anyone know?

5

Right, so give’em a buzz - ask for bundle discount.

They are also heat treated, “sweating” done over open fire as I understand. Would be nice if someone could review them.

Regards, Andres

6

Don’t compare your efforts with the cheap ones - check out the prices for master-builds. The cheap ones a really, well… cheap in quality.

Andres

7

I am starting a new job in a couple weeks and can finally afford to play with new materials. Once I am going with that I will see about buying some of these blanks from them.

8

Next you can get a lathe and a bunch of Blackwood, and make some conical flutes… :smiley:

9

Baby steps! Baby steps! :wink:

10

I haven’t played their flutes so I can’t be certain,
but I lived in India for years and I know a bit
about bamboo flutes. These look good.
The company appears to be importing high
quality flutes from India. Labor is cheap.
Also it seems that they care about music and what
they are selling.

By the way it’s worth checking out the antique
flutes. Also the ergonomic flutes.