Hi Everyone,
I’ve been playing a Tipple for a little over a year now, and am considering a wood flute purchase. I love the Tipple, but just want to expand. I was really thinking about a Hernon. I would appreciate any thoughts from those of you who have owned/played the Hernon before.
Thanks in advance for your time.
I’ve heard great things about Hernon flutes. They are probably just as good a choice as any of the other mid-range makers. You have loads of choices. If you’re thinking about a Hernon, just get it.
One downside with the Hernon is that you can’t get keys. So if you’re planing on upgrading to keys later, you should consider another maker, but if you had planned to go keyless, you might as well get it.
You’ll certainly not get any wiser than that by having people telling you about loads of different makers. The only thing that could help you would be to acctually try out a number of different flutes.
Other choices include:
Jon C
Burns
Doyle
Seery wood
M&E wood
(James Peeples might tell you to save a couple more $ and get a Hammy, which might also be a good choice, but then, any of the above is a good choice)
I have first-hand experience as I own a Marcus Hernon flute. Please note that his flutes definitely will be upgradable to a keyed flute in the near future. He is still working on the keys, but he told me that once he’s got that going, he can add keys to any flute he’s made in the past. His flutes are great in my opinion. It took me a few days to adjust to it embouchure-wise, but no worries after that. A variety of tones can be found in this flute. Beautiful sound. The second octave is gorgeous. You can really honk a powerful low D out of it too. Gotta go; I’ll add more later..
I know Sillydill and Loren have owned them, maybe they can weigh in. From what Jordan (Sillydill) told me is that is is a pretty powerful Rudall Flute with grea projection, if course I don’t know for sure.
My advice, try a couple see what style Flute you like then go for that. If you can go to a local session and ask around, it will save you from buying a bunch of different Flutes to try. I find some people are better with certain Flutes, and the only way to find out which one is to try a bunch.
I’d add Sweet and Bleazey to the list, esp the latter, as it has a slide and is still around $500.
The list, including the parenthetical remark, brings up something I’ve never heard discussed: Does the Tipple prepare one more for Rudall- or Pratten-type flutes or neither/both? I know that, having cut my teeth on a Rudall-style, I can’t play a Pratten worth crap. I owned a Hammy for almost a year, played it exclusively for a few months, never got a handle on the low end. It could be congenital, could be that I cut my teeth on a Rudall.
What are people’s experiences who started out on Tipples?
I started on a Tipple. When I got a wooden Flute it was a Rudall style Lejune, I could play it fine, but there was something missing. Later I got a Bleazey, which I could push farther, but it still didn’t feel the right way. Then I got my Burns Pratten, which took me a bit to get the hang of, but now I like it more than either of those Rudall Flutes. Anybody else?
Hey Trout Bum, (I like your alias!) 
Why don’t you pack your fly-rod and go see Doc Jones http://www.irishflutestore.com/POFlutes.html (< 150 miles). He’s currently got a Marcus Hernon and a M&E in cocobolo, plus 2 Bleazeys in his used flutes. Plus lots of nice new flutes as well. 
I had a Marcus Hernon and was very impressed with it. The embouchure took a while to find the sweetspot, but then it would certainly sing! My Hernon was a powerful Rudall type flute, with the best tone (IMO) of any lined head flute I’ve ever played. I parted ways with mine simply because I thought it was more flute than I needed.
In fact I just emailed Doc today asking about his Hernon. I’m starting to wonder if I prefer Rudall type flutes with a lined head. I just got a Ray Sloan student flute with a lined head. I’m also impressed by its tone, though not as much as the Hernon and it’s not nearly as powerful.
Feel free to ask questions. I’ll help you on your quest if I can!
All the Best!
Jordan
Why don’t you pack your fly-rod and go see Doc Jones > http://www.irishflutestore.com/POFlutes.html > (< 150 miles). He’s currently got a Marcus Hernon and a M&E in cocobolo, plus 2 Bleazeys in his used flutes. Plus lots of nice new flutes as well.
I almost purchased the M and E mentioned above.I ended up in a private trade instead, but I think the M and E is a great deal. My experiences so far with Doc Jones have been great, and he has a real passion for being a flute “matchmaker”. You won’t have to wait either. The good news is that the $500 range for flutes has really seemed to open up in the last few years, so you will probably find something you’ll be happy with for a long time.
I have been playing on this Hernon a bit and the more I play it the more I like it.
The first time I played it I was underwhelmed but I spent a bit more time over a few days and started figuring out what it really wanted embouchure-wise.
I had the exact same experience with a Byrne. Both these flutes want a fairly specific embouchure (not a difficult one…just a specific one), but when they get it…man they really sing.
The lined Rudall sound is very compelling and different. I’m kind of an unlined guy in general but there is something very cool about a lined Rudall headjoint. I think I could get very attached to it.
I’d give Hernon a 10 on the “Bang-for-the-buck-ometer”.
Doc
Are Hernon flutes based on a Rudall style flute(s)?
-brett
It’s a classic Rudall style flute.
The blackwood that Marcus is using is VERY nice. Nice tight grain, beautiful color. Workmanship is great. The bore is smooth, tone holes and blow hole are clean and nicely cut. Doc mentioned his experience with the Hernon flute being similar to a Byrne. Took the words right out of my mouth! From what I can tell, Hernon flutes are a very close replica of a Rudall flute, as are Byrne’s. Having played a few of Bryan’s flutes (briefly) and owning a Hernon flute, I’d say that the approach required to playing them is very similar. Available tones are very similar (what you’d expect from a Rudall flute). I don’t play mine much these days as I’ve sold some things and finally acquired my long-lusted-after Hammy (what a BEAST!).. But for a quintessential Rudall flute in this price range, I don’t think you’ll find anything that beats Mr. Hernon’s flutes. Actually they’re a steal and deserving of a much higher price in my humble opinion. my 2c
Thanks everyone - this is great info . . . very helpful. I really appreciate it!