s’io credesse che mia risposta fosse. . . . 
Bob
This, I know, makes my statement nothing but heresy,
Please note that I wrote “hearsay” (pron. Hear-say), not “heresy” (pron. Hera-sea); they are two quite different things. The first is basically stuff you’ve heard from a second party but cannot substantiate firsthand. Rumor falls under that category. Hearsay is provable as such, it is what I meant, and I spelled it accordingly. But the second, above in red, means originally a statement or viewpoint that runs counter to general Church dogma, but also extends to mean a similarly countering, thus unpopular, viewpoint in more secular circles. Unlike hearsay, heresy may be called largely a matter of prevailing opinion. For example, if you make in full belief the assertion here that a well-known and well-respected maker’s instruments are dodgy, your words might be met with cries of “Heresy!”, and flameproof undies may be in order for the sake of your nads. But, trying to be impartial, I levelled no such subjective charges at you, I hope you’ll be relieved to know. 
“He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” - Hunter S. Thompson
musta been a lawyer. 
hehe, Ops! Excuse my English!
Found another reference to Ben Stewart who is mentioned in the Australian News link in my post earlier in this thread. This time Ben Stewart is mentioned in a thread concerning whistles on thesession.org.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/9895
posted 2nd May, 2006
“If you like the slighty, er, um, woodier sound, Mick Grinter used to make great ones (i think he’s stopped now alas) and now his more-than-able-bodied assistant Ben Stewart makes champion ones.” SirNose.
Could it be that Michael Grinter has or had an accomplished apprentice/assistant called Ben Stewart who makes or helps make flutes and whistles, recorders etc. in Grinter’s workshop? Anyone know more about Ben Stewart. He seems to be a positive factor judging by the two links that mention him. Grinter certainly makes good instruments as do other makers
I have an 8-key Grinter.
When I was waiting for the delivery of the same a few years ago, his wife (who was communicating with me most of the time) informed that the woods were turned in Australia by somebody and they would be shipped to Ireland where Michael lives.
I don’t know how much work was done by Michael himself on my flute, but it seems that there is somebody who is making the flute to some extent.
It is a good flute anyway though I love my original R&R best.
If Sigmund had phrased his comment in the form of a question, there would be no problem here: “Does Michael Grinter make his own flutes nowadays, or are they made by others in his workshop, with Michael approving the finished products?” It’s a straightforward question with a straightforward answer. There’s no defamation if there was no intent to defame. So let’s assume that this question was Sigmund’s intent, and move on. If someone knowledgeable wants to actually answer the question, all the better.
We would also ask our UK friends in particular to keep in mind that UK attitudes toward issues of defamation, libel, slander, etc. may be quite different from elsewhere. It’s no coincidence that the UK is widely considered to be the “libel tourism” capital of the world, with efforts underway to remedy that. The Chiffboard mods (including our UK mod) are sensitive to the issue. But when it comes to allowing reasonable and open discussion of makers and their instruments on this forum, American standards and the moderators’ interpretation of those standards will generally apply.
That said, Nano’s admonition to please exercise some judgment and objectivity when discussing makers is spot-on.
Thanks.
Hi all, I must say that posting rumours is never a good thing. You can mention things to a friend in private but not in public if you don’t know the facts and even then you have to be careful. I have visited flute makers and I can only say this; If you buy a flute of a certain maker; than its made according to the specific measurements or style of that maker. I don’t agree with Sigmund that if an assistant makes flutes they should be different. These people are often trained for years by the maker and under his surveillance and follow in his footsteps. Questioning a flute is not done. Questioning a sound or a feel is. If a flute doesn’t suit you, its probably not for you, but declining a flute becaue you ‘heared’ that the builder doesn’t build everyting with his own hands is questionable. My honest opinion.
I really should apologize to Dante:
S`io credesse che mia risposta fosse: A persona che mai tornasse al mondo,: Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse.
Guido da Montefeltro really had the right idea! Dante has turned him into a ‘tongue of flame’ for spreading lies and falsehoods.
He says, roughly: If I believed what I tell you now is spoken to someone who will return to the world of the living, this tongue of flame would forevermore cease shaking (ranting).
Enough.
Bob