I’m thinking of buying my first flute, and living in Norway I pretty much have to order it from hobgoblin music. I’ve looked a bit on this board and come to the conclusion that a Dixon polymer flute would be the best for me (I don’t want anything too expensive, and I like the fact that it doesn’t need as much care as wooden flutes). I would like to know, which one would be best for a beginner? Should I just go for the one piece one, or would it be better to get the one with the slide head? Or should I just save up some money and get the 3 piece one, which I see has got a lot of good reviews?
I know only the three piece Dixon, but I do think
it’s hard to go wrong with it. The other Dixons
have received less good reviews, I believe,
though maybe people who play them will
give some input. Also a search may get
you some info.
There are some good bamboo flutes
that wouldn’t be so expensive to ship
from the USA, because they’re pretty light.Again, you might search under ‘bamboo.’
Hi Emilie, If you are serious about playing flute,you would probably be best buying the three piece polymer.Why? I would say that because it is conical,rather than cylinderical bore,not only will it be more ‘in tune’ and sound better,but it will handle the same as a more ‘traditional’ wooden flute,should you wish to ‘move up’ to a more expensive instrument in future. I realise that the three piece is quite a bit more money than the other Dixon flutes,but I think it would be money well spent in the long run.Tony Dixon’s reputation is growing,and I think that you could probably get your money back,if you didn’t ‘take’ to the flute and decided to put it on the market.You could probably save a bit of money from the outset by cutting out the ‘middle man’(nothing against 'Hobgoblin’mind-I suppose they have to make a living like everyone else!) by dealing directly with Tony-you will find his website address on ‘Chifflinks’.If I harp on anymore about what good value Dixon instruments are,then I can see Tony putting his prices up! (Shhhh! ).
I have a 3-piece and would highly recommend it - you really can’t go wrong for the price. I would have to agree with the conical Vs cylindrical comments made by Kevin - the three piece is a “real” flute. I would also suggest dealing with the maker direct - give him the full profit!
I’ll cast a third vote for the 3 piece conical. It is, quite simply, so much more like a wooden Irish flute than any cylindrical flute. That said, I have never played one of Tony’s 1 or two piece PVC flutes, but I have made quite a few myself. No matter how well in tune a cylindrical flute is, the upper octave will have tuning problems. Also, they just don’t sound as wooden flute like. Until I received my Dixon, my wife claimed my home made and cheapie PVC flutes I had bought sounded great…now that she has heard the Dixon she says she understands why I wanted a good flute.
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