Hi everybody!
Here I am playing my Seery and wondering what shoud be my next flute…
Since I want to pay around 1000$ canadian and I want a Pratten model, I ended with two choices: Hamilton or Copley.
I read something very interesting on this forum while someone was asking about the fact that it would probably be better to order a flute from the same continent (with closer humidity factors) to avoid cracks … What do you think about it?
Well, y’know, continents vary pretty widely in terms of humidity. Florida is a lot different than Arizona . . .
Anyway, if you want a more truly “Pratten” instrument, I think Hamilton is closer than Copley: I think even Dave Copley’s website describes his instruments as a sort of hybrid between a Pratten and an R&R.
I’ve played several Hamiltons here in the U.S.: they were all very good, and none had cracked (at least, not yet), so I don’t think you’ll have to worry much about the flute cracking any more than you’d worry about any wooden instrument. Since you live in a place with cold winters, I think any instrument you get, from anywhere, will take care (avoiding extremem dryness in winter due to heating, etc.).
Don’t think I’ve played a Copley, but they get good reviews. Not sure if it’d be your ideal instrument, if you’re going for a “real” Pratten. See if you can find someone near you who owns an instrument by either maker, and give 'em both a toot, if possible.
Good luck.
The Copley is louder than the Seery, which is a Pratten.
It has a lovely sound, too, as well as
considerable volume when you want it.
It’s a very good flute, IMO, but I’ve never played
a Hamilton and can’t compare.
Of course the reports about Hamilton’s
are very positive.
One way the Copley differs from a ‘classical’ Pratten
is that in the Prattens, there is one section which
contains all six holes. Dave has split this
into two parts. This has the advantage that
one can adjust the holes; I don’t suppose it
makes the flute sound different then it would
if the section were in one piece, though.
Certainly you can e mail Dave C. and ask any
questions.
I’m having a bad experience–bought a flute
from a British maker, returned it immediately for adjustments,
Brit customs slapped 87 pounds on it, the maker
refused to accept it so as not to pay the
awful fee, and the flute promptly dissapeared from
the face of the earth. About to file the insurance claim…
Doubtless a result of bad karma from past
lives, but it has made me a bit hesitant
to buy outside my own country. Of course
if one is a Canadian, US customs might
present the same problem.
I don’t think I would worry about a
UK flute cracking in Canada, anyway.
If the wood is seasoned well and you
take reasonable care, you should be fine. Best
Hamilton flutes are awesome. They are big, loud, tough, and responsive. I’d say it’s all about the effort you are willing to put into it. If you’re looking at getting a flute you can just knock around once in a while and want to sound decent I’d go for the copley. If you’re really serious and can spend an hour or two playing I’d say go for the hamilton. Hamilton’s are generally harder to play but if you put the work in it comes back full and then some. Copley’s are easier to play but have less to offer. So really it’s up to you. And take that with a grain of salt cause everybody is different because some people can play certain flutes and others can’t. So each case is different. The bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either maker and I don’t think hamilton flutes are any more likely to crack than any other flute. I own a Hammy and I’ve had zero problems with it and I live in an area of low humidity. At any rate, all the best and good luck with whatever you choose.
Jack
As would be the case with any great quality flute, either the Hamilton or the Copley is able to give far more back to you than you are able to get out of it right now, unless you are an excellent player with a talented embouchure. Which is to say, if you don’t sound like Kevin Crawford, Matt Molloy, or one of that group right now, trust that when you are ready to reach that plateau, neither flute will let you down.
Having played all three flutes that you name, I am becoming more and more convinced that the player is the secret, not so much the flute.
You absolutely MUST, when returning instruments, include a proper customs form indicating you are RETURNING FOR REPAIR, and the country of origin (where the flute was made).
Kevin Krell
Leonard,
Check your Private Messages. 
Thnaks everybody for reply!
Anybody know how the low E ans D sound on the Copley?
Is it quite powerfull if you want it to be?
And anybody know a good trick to keep a flute quite humid in it’s case?
Sorry Jack, can’t help you with Flatley cd…
I do not think it is only humidity changes which crack instruments sent by air . I supect that the ultra low temperatures reached in unheated aircraft holds could be a great danger to lined flutes . It would be interesting to know .
I’ve had my Copley for about 2 years, and feel I am just now starting to get a good “Irish” sound on it. Everyone says the Copley is easy to play, and they’re right, if they just mean to get a nice sounding tone out of it. It has taken me almost two years to develop the tight embouchre required to get the flute to really start to honk. The low E and D can be quite strong if you play it right.
I traded flutes with a very good player who had a keyed Hamilton a while back, and he seemed quite impressed with the Copley. Playing his Hamilton, I noticed that I got my usual tone out of it, showing once again that it’s more the player than the flute. I did notice that the Hamilton seemed a touch more responsive in making octave jumps, but they are both great flutes.
Dave Copley ships his flutes is a plastic pistol case, with a small hydrometer inside. I keep a cigar humidifier in my case, and try to keep the relative humidity above 60%.
This worrying about cracks is silly. I know; I have been a worrier. I have a Hamilton and it did crack. But you know what? It’s not a big deal. Any time wood touches metal it’s prone to crack. On my flute this was true around the tuning slide. This is a common problem and not unique to Hamiltons. I had it professionally repaired and you can barely tell that it’s there. Sound wise there is no difference. It’s still one of the best sounding flutes I have ever heard. Bar none.
What do you want a flute for? To play the h3ll out of it or to make it look like you can play because you have a pretty instrument? If it’s the former then there’s nothing to worry about with most cracks.
I have a pretty aggressive playing style and the Hamilton always wants to be pushed harder. If you like Grey Larson’s playing style you might not want a Hamilton. If you’re more drawn to Paul McGrattan then the Hamilton’s yer only man. I can play comfortably with my wife on button accordion and feel like I can hear myself. Or I can play with just a fiddler, tone it down, and feel like it blends nicely.
I have a plastic sort of trunk or container with a
lid that I bought cheap at Walmart. I put in a damp sponge,
a hydrometer, and my flutes. Works OK.
When I’m going to a gig or whatever, I put
the flute in a Cavallero case. Doesn’t need
to be humidified in transit and I humidify it
plenty when playing it. Then back in the
trunk at home. Winters are drier than summers
on account of heating. Of course if you live
in the desert there may be special concerns,
but reasonably humid climates aren’t a problem.
I do think we get a bit paranoid about flutes
cracking. As time goes by one gets less afraid.
You take reasonable care, humidify them,
swab em, oil em…then, Forgedaboutit.
Ok, I think I get it. My worries about cracks surely come from the fact I own a poly flute and I never had a wooden one.
I feel the need to jump in on this topic, because I now own both a Copley and a Hamilton …
I have loved my Copley from day one ~ it sounded beautiful right from the start, but rest assured ~ as my emboucher and playing style has improved, so has the sound!!! I can’t emphasize that enough!!! I am a huge fan of the rough, down and dirty sound coming from a good keyless flute, and have worked hard to incorporate that sound in my own playing. I call it playing “on the edge” as I like to hover right on that break between upper and lower octave. Does she honk? My, yes!!! The bottom D and E are awesome!
My Hamilton Eb is another beast entirely. Although I guess it’s not a true comparison, (Copley is a D) my Hamilton is much tougher to play. Once I get my lips warmed up some, then I’m able to get that tough sound that I love. But I have to work at it. And when I do get it honkin’, I honestly can’t say that the quality of it’s sound is superior than that of my favorite. To me, anyway. This is probably because I am “trying” to get the same kind of sound each time I play a flute, and I work for that sound ~ regardless of which flute I have in my hands.
I know that folks on this board have distinct loyalties to certain flutes.
Most likely, they have found a good match that suits their individual playing style and that’s great.
I keep my flutes in Rubbermaid containers with wet paper towel. Never had a problem. Hope I never do
Mary
The flutemakers have a healthy paranoia of cracking,
because they have to deal with it. They repair all the cracks.
They don’t want our flutes to crack.
This concern sometimes gets communicated to newbies
as a sense that blackwood flutes are very delicate.
Ain’t so, I’ve realized finally. If you aren’t
willing to take reasonable care
don’t get one; if you are, you’re probably going to
be OK.
Well, Jim be sur of one thing, when I get my first blackwood flute, I will take care of it more than my very eyes.
I just thought a cracked instrument would lose sound quality. If it’s not the case, as it seems to be, I understand I don’t have to worry anymore if I take care of it properly.
Does a lot of you keep a wet sponge or any wet stuff in the case ?
I use a toothbrush travel holder and put a few more holes into it and then insert a sponge - cut to just fit in. I dampen the sponge, or wet it then wring it out a bit. Put the two pieces of the tube back together and insrt it in the flute kit or plastic container. I check it periodically to assure it is still moist.
Billg
I just use a damp sponge, but that’s because I’m a slob.
It’s helpful to open the container every day or so and let
some air in, so as to avoid mildew. Cases inside the
container are not a good idea, for that reason.
NO NO NO!!! do not open the container every day or so to avoid mildew. Open the container every day or so to play the flute!!! 
Just couldn’t avoid that one.