OK, maybe I’m search-engine impaired, so I’m sending up a flag.
I know about Casey’s low flutes, and I love the idea of being able to add a C body. I need help, however, finding info on other makers of low A flutes. Careful shopping, and all that.
Any help would be appreciated 
Edit: I’ve gotten the info I need from the makers (except Noy…), so now I’m hoping there might be a used one out there before I take the big plunge. Burns, Noy, A440 Flute d’Amore (traverso style or Wagner style)…
Casey’s A flute can also take B and Bb bodies.
Doc
Thanks, Doc - but B and Bb are farther down the wish list.
Anyone with experience with a Noy A?
Doesn’t Jessie have one?
Peter Noy makes an A flute. www.noyflutes.com
I ordered a Noy A flute two and a half years ago. I have heard nothing.
Wow, that’s a long time. I assume his waiting list for D flutes is not that long?
Dana
It’s about two years for D keyless flutes.
Noob question here. As one who’s struggling to build strength/endurance on a Pratten-style D, is playing a low-A really a possibility for normally-built humans? Or are you talking about A (fife-like) flutes?
Very good question. Yes, we’re talking about low A. The finger stretches can be made about the same as a big-holed Pratten (theoretically, the spacing can be made even tighter, but at the expense of tone, volume, intonation…) but the issue for some is the distance from the face to the hands. That’s why silver alto flutes often have a doubled-back headjoint; I find that this makes the balance kinda funky, but some little people have no choice.
As for air and embouchure (and I’m guessing here) I’d wager the embouchure holes are no bigger, the overall air requirements not much more, but the responsiveness might be tough to get. Maybe not the thing for a noob* to rip sets of fast reels on, but I want it for airs and harmony.
*The more I play and listen, the more of a noob I am. It’s the ‘three steps forward, two steps back’ plan
Changed the focus - now I’m looking for a used A, if such a thing exists. Missed Doc’s on ebay, durnit.
I have a Bb Olwell and you can play just about anything
on one of those. The A body on the Burns Bb headjoint
is only a slightly bigger stretch. It isn’t prohibitive
if you have more or less average size male hands.
The tone of these things is lovely and it helps learn to
play the D flute, cause they seem easy afterwards.