So, am I safe in surmising that these $50 ebonite flutes for the most part are:
In tune-after replacing the cork
lose the strange smell after a few days
sound decent
worth less the price of a great bamboo flute on taking a chance with no wait time
look decent
Does anyone have a picture here they can post? I ask because the picture on ebay shows red (threading) on both ends and no foot, which looks really strange.
thanks,
Eric
Eric, I think the greatest value of these flutes are the keys.
You can have a plastic simple system flute with you assembled and ready to be played. As far as tuning, and playability, your better going with an Olwell bamboo.
The threads…I replaced with cork.
Eric, i’d assume you get what you pay for. It’s probably not as good as Matt Molloy’s flute that’s being debated ad nauseam in another thread, but then again you’re only down $50.
Eilam’s got it right.
By the way, the foot joint in mine was stored inside the headjoint in the case, when I got it, and that’s the only way the flute fits in the case. It may be the same in the photo; foot might be camouflaged by hiding partially in the headjoint.
Also, mine still smells a bit, or did last time I played it a few weeks ago. I almost never take the thing out. Also remember that with shipping, you’re looking at closer to $75 - $80 than $50.
I really, really like my Olwell bamboo Eb, on the other hand. Plays – and smells! – better.
Well, I love wood flutes. The Ormiston I have just keeps getting better and better but I really want an Eb and wanted an Eb for Christmas from Olwell (bamboo) but the request wasnt made in time, so…
it brings me to the fact that some here have said that for $85, this flute might be a decent instrument to have. Im not into keyed flutes, and even pondered taking the keys off but who knows, I might like it. I use piper grip for flute and so it would be interesting. The embouchure hole looks a bit too big and round, but someone here posted that they thought for the money, it actually rocked, and was almost guaranteed to be modeled after a really good Eb flute-but just was badly in need of a replaced cork. Any more comments?
Other bamboo flutes that have been favorably compared to Pat Olwell’s bamboos are made by Steve Cox. www.tallgrasswinds.com
An Eb costs $70, plus shipping.
Well Tradman; I don`t think any of us who have one of these flutes would recommend them to anyone. I think it is a shot in the dark as far as getting a playable one. Once I changed the cork on mine and set it up the same as my antique blackwood Eb it played pretty darn good. It lives in my book case, always put together ready for a quick practice session. I think, as has been mentioned, there are good bamboo flutes out there for less money then you would spend on one of these plastic wounders.
Tom
Tradman, I just got an Eb bamboo flute from another board member.
It is a Steve Cox flute (TallgrassWinds).
I much prefer it to the bamboo D.
It is quite fun to play, challenging to keep it in tune.
For a Christmas gift, I think it would be great and you would enjoy it 
Mary
Just got my Olwell F, and I’m a believer.
I’m now on the list for an Eb. Heck, I want the whole set.
Get the Olwell. It’ll be worth the wait.
And you’re right. The thing smells wonderful. Sorta like caramel.
But don’t try to eat it.
Hey, Tradman –
Which Ormiston do you have? I’ve been very pleased with mine.
Hey ther
I got the keyless D with the short foot. I really like it but do want an to get an Eb by some maker and an Olwell keyless D too.
I’ve had the four-key Ormiston, short foot, for about three years now. Nice flute, in tune, very easy to play. Of course, I haven’t touched it lately as I’ve been immersed in a mad, passionate affair with David L’s ex-Hamilton (the equivalent of throwing over the “nice guy” for the “heartbreaker guy”). 
But I’m signed up for both six-key and keyless Olwells, too (figure I can save up for the keyed one over the four years it’ll take after the keyless one gets done). How could I not? They’re just bloody amazing.
Wow, this Flute Acquisition Frenzy stuff is dangerous! Yikes!
I’ve had the four-key Ormiston, short foot, for about three years now. Nice flute, in tune, very easy to play. Of course, I haven’t touched it lately as I’ve been immersed in a mad, passionate affair with David L’s ex-Hamilton (the equivalent of throwing over the “nice guy” for the “heartbreaker guy”).
But I’m signed up for both six-key and keyless Olwells, too (figure I can save up for the keyed one over the four years it’ll take after the keyless one gets done). How could I not? They’re just bloody amazing.
Wow, this Flute Acquisition Frenzy stuff is dangerous! Yikes!