Hi. I’m looking to purchases a Bb flute. I would appreciate hearing from those of you who play such an instrument, or anyone who has info on makers, etc. I may also consider swapping an 8 keyed Pratten model, Hawkes and Son (Superior model).
Thanks, Arbo.
The makers I know who make Bb flutes are:
Terry McGee
Casey Burns
Hammy Hamilton
Doug Tipple
Carl Bell
There are more though, you might want to check Brad Hurley’s great flute maker directory.
Pat Olwell makes Bb flutes too…
Chris Wilkes makes one, and I have one that I may decide to sell soon.
and
Michael Ginter
Gilles Lehart
I have played Bb flutes by both makers.
The Grinter was very much a bigger version of the Grinter D flutes I have tried; sleek and precise.
The Lehart is in many ways a big flute, though in outer dimensions not much larger than the Grinter. Maybe it’s the wood he uses or the brass rings. It’s a big flute, with a big sound. With the prices Gilles is charging for his excellent instruments you get a lot of flute for your money. Very satisfying 
cheers,
Jeroen
Tom Aebi makes Bb flutes too…
What type pf b flat is it you require a b flat that is lower than a d or the b flat that is under a piccolo. If it is the big b flat i have 4 and would be willing to swap one for your Hawkes and son.
David
John Gallagher
I recently got a chance to play a J. Gallagher Bb prototype in Holly modeled after a Rudall (Cathy, you play this one?). His attention to detail is impressive and this model has a great, honking bottom-end and buttery smooth, plaintive upper register. The usual rich harmonics abound which makes the Bb so much fun. I don’t get a discount for endorsing his work. For a keyless instrument, you’re likely looking at a reasonable wait time as well ( < 1 year )
I’ve also played an Olwell Bb which was awesome.
I’m waiting for a keyless Wilkes for another 1-2 years and I understand from him he’s not making any more. Ever. So if exclusivity is important, I’d jump on that Wilkes of Jessie’s when\if it comes up!
Cheers,
I love my Burns! And other people who’ve played it have spoken highly of it.
If you have any issues as far as reach or hand issues be sure to check out the dementions of the Flute. I’ve got a wonderfull Bb from Hammy, but it’s a much larger flute than say the Burns. When I have played a Burns Bb, it didn’t feel much different than my Burns D. Where as the Hammy as wonderfull as it is, being larger, I can play it for only short periods(20 mins to an hour). I do have some issues with my wrists, so this is not an indosement of one over the other, but beware that there are different dementions from each flutemaker.
If you have any issues as far as reach or hand issues be sure to check out the dementions of the Flute. I’ve got a wonderfull Bb from Hammy, but it’s a much larger flute than say the Burns. When I have played a Burns Bb, it didn’t feel much different than my Burns D. Where as the Hammy as wonderfull as it is, being larger, I can play it for only short periods(20 mins to an hour). I do have some issues with my wrists, so this is not an indosement of one over the other, but beware that there are different dementions from each flutemaker.
That would be the very! In fact, mine’s supposedly going into production any day now … 
I was amazed at how ergonomic it was, too … just the TINIEST shade bigger than my Pratten D.
Good pricing, too, but I’m not telling any of y’all until he gets mine done.
Honestly, this flute blew me away. It was about the most fun thing I ever played; I couldn’t put it down. I literally marched up to him after a couple of hours noodling around on it and said “Put me on the list, I can’t live without this flute, how much do you want for a deposit?”
Speaking of Casey’s flutes … John Skelton was up to awesome things with his Burns Bb last I heard him, and I thought that one was pretty easy on the wrists and hands too, though the Gallagher seems even easier (of course, perceptions change over time, so I wouldn’t rule one way or another for sure).
I, too, have drooled over… er, played this flute. His hole spacing is very comfortable, even for me, and I play a GLP.
Cathy, maybe you can bring yours to Augusta. I’d love to give it a go.
I’ve played Casey’s Bb and the Gallagher and I would have to agree that the Gallagher would be my preference. Both are great flutes, but the Gallagher just fit my hands better…and oh, its sound is wonderful. …I must not buy another flute…I must not buy another flute…
I agree with all of the above - I was surprised how short the flute was overall compared to my D. Although I didn’t have the two to compare side-by-side, it really seemed shorter than the Bb Olwell I’ve had the pleasure of playing.
John’s pretty traditional in his approach of flute making in that his flutes are dimensionally (externally) very close to the originals he measures. I thought the comfortability (?) of his flute curious seeing as how old flutes get so much bad press for be ‘un-ergonomic’. Except for slight posture change that’s required to comfortably hold a Bb, the flute was very easy to play - probably enhanced by the fact that it was a lightwieght wood with no slide, rings, fancy end-cap, etc.
If I wasn’t so invested in time and $$ in my Wilkes on order, I’d have an order in for one of John’s flutes as we speak…and we’ll see if I might yet anyway 
Cheers,
When I asked him how he did it, he said “it’s the bore profile.”
And of course, the angled toneholes are pure GENIUS.
Casey Burns
Jonathan! How be ye?
Fantastic! But cold! How about yourself? A Gallagher Bb…hmm…sounds like a mighty flute. Can’t wait to hear more about it. Adios!