I was wondering if anyone in fluterland has come by a Terry McGee flute in polymer. He now offers that as a material option. He doesn’t give much of a price break, but that is understandable considering the same methods are used for making the flutes, and that Delrin stock is not all that much cheaper than wood! It certainly is tempting. I love the durability/low maint. aspect. because of my travel and playing time restrictions, but would love to have a flute that equals a fine wood one in craftsmanship and playability. Something my Seery unfortunately doesn’t quite provide.
I didn’t know Terry was offering polymer flutes these days. That’s a nice option.
What don’t you like about your Seery? I’ve got one, too, but I really like it. Mine compares quite well in fishish, looks and tone with a session mates Dave William’s blackwood flute.
Most of the things on the Seery are minor quibbles. Some of the tone holes aren’t very nicely finished and the tuning slide is a bit sketchy. My biggest gripe is the stopper. It seems to be roughly finished and not of great quality. Mostly though, I’m just looking for a flute which is engineered and made in the same manner as a fine wood one, since, unfortunately, wood for me is not practical. It is understandable that the Seery isn’t quite as well-done considering that it is supposed to be an affordable flute. For the money it definitely is a good one. I also would like an R&R model, but the M&E version isn’t what I’m looking for
I think I remember running across a post that mentioned a delrin Olwell. I wonder if that was a one-off thing or if he’s got plans to offer that as an alternative.
In the case of Pat Olwell, it was a one-off. I begged for a year and sent him enough delrin rod for two flutes. He made just one and said that it bothered him, because it tried to pull his tools more than wood. It’s a very nice flute, on my couch as we speak. When I first started playing it, I thought it didn’t have much character. I mean, it IS and Olwell, but it didn’t play as richly as my wooden Olwells. But after some time, I learned how to bring out its beauty, and I really enjoy it now.
Before he had made it, he’d said he might like to offer it as an option, but then by the time he’d finished it, he’d changed his mind.
That’s too bad, I bet they’d sell. I’m not surprised about the tool issue. I think Delrin may be denser than wood, since it’s non-porous (sp?) I still haven’t decided if I want to go that route anyway. But, it would be nice to have a really nice Rudall that would travel well.
Jesse - I’m glad to hear you’ve finally found how to make your Delrin Olwell sing. I always thought it a shame that you might have it sitting in your closet, when I and other delrin fans, would kill or die to have one made by Patrick Olwell!
I guess it just goes to show that a well made flute is a well made flute - regardless of the material. Now that I’ve said that, and restated my love for delrin, I’ve been dreaming of boxwood baroque flutes way too much lately…
Pat told me it was a real pain in the… to make that delrin flute and he didn’t plan on making any more. Hammy Hamilton plays a flute in what he calls “nylon”. It’s some sort of black plastic that he can bend into wierd shapes and then it snaps back into position. Strange! Sounds mighty good though, and it it’s good enough for Hammy Hamilton then it’s good enough for me.
Best,
Chris
There was a short discussion on the woodenflute mailing list a few months ago, in which Terry publicly pondered using polymer for building flutes. Given the usual waiting lists, it might well be that there is no polymer McGee flute out in the world yet. Why not contact him directly? He seems to be a very nice guy to deal with
