My question is which would serve me better as a first flute? Dixon or Tipple? I really like the sound of Dixon polymer whistles. I have also heard both the Tipple and Dixon Delrin flutes. I don’t want to get an flute that I will outgrow in a year or two. Which flute would last me longer before outgrowing? Money doesn’t grow on trees, ya know!
I am leaning towards the Dixon 3-piece due to the conical shape and Delrin construction. Seems more like an actual Irish flute than the Tipple (no offense). I really like Tony Dixon’s products. I have fairly large hands, and was wondering if anyone here with large hands plays the Dixon 3-piece flute. My main concerns are with cramped fingers and moisture build-up, as I live in a colder climate. I don’t need a really loud flute as I don’t play in a group, but usually alone at home or at the park. If any accompaniment with me, it would be a guitar player. Thanks for all the help.
Celtic Whistler, I think that you have answered your own question. You like Tony Dixon products, so the the 3-piece, conical flute (polymer in this case = PVC, I believe) is the flute for you. I don’t think that you will have any problem with cramped fingers on his low D flute. You are going to get moisture build up in any flute made from a non-porous material like silver or polymer. That really is no problem since you can swab the flute frequently to remove the moisture. I have seen concert flautists pull a silk swab through the flute after each piece performed. Of course, I am partial to the Tipple flutes, but you can understand where I am coming from.
Hi Doug. Thank you for your reply. I have seriously considered your flutes, and am still considering one. I am not totally biased towards Dixon. I just want the best beginner flute for me. Can you tell me the difference in hand comfort of your cylindrical flutes compared to conical flutes. Is there much of a difference? What about sound? Does your wedge make Tipple flutes sound like conical ones? Thanks again.
The Dixon has smaller finger holes, and the finger holes on my flute are larger. But with larger hands, I don’t think that you will find any difference with regard to hand comfort. I have a page at my website that compares the two flutes with regard to finger hole sizes and spacing. You need to listen to the sound files at my website. A lot of how a flute sounds has to do with the player and how they are blowing the flute. In the hands of a good player I think that you would have difficulty telling the sound of my wedged cylindrical-bore flutes from that of conical-bore flutes, such as the Dixon. We will let others chime in here with their opinions.
I think your reasoning is sound as to why the Dixon may be a better choice for you (conical, smaller holes, like the sound of Dixon instruments). Probably a good starter flute that could last you a while.
Here’s advice I’d give anyone truly serious about Irish flute playing, advice I wish I had been given and had followed: get the Dixon or the Tipple to play while waiting for an Olwell slideless flute (or with a slide if you can afford it). If you love playing flute and stay with it, getting an Olwell will save you lots of time and money in the long run. If you don’t want to keep playing flute, once you get the Olwell, you can sell it in a day at the same or nearly the same price you bought it. Take it from someone who has tried nearly all the Irish flutes out there at $500 or less. I would have saved myself a ton of money had I just bought an Olwell instead all the shipping costs, selling at a loss, etc. Just get an Olwell as soon as you can.
Instead of a used Dixon 3-piece delrin flute, I went ahead and purchased a new Tipple 3-piece flute from Doug, with offset holes, oval embouchure hole, and lip plate. Doug is a great guy. Very professional. It was a pleasure doing business with him.
From my personal experience - admittedly with a low whistle rather than a flute - I wouldn’t get anything with offset holes. I simply can’t play 'em. If anybody wants an absolutely gorgeous Reyburn low whistle, but which I find unplayable because of the offset holes, let me know.
Oh … and I’ve played a Tipple and a Dixon 3-piece. I’m a beginner fluter myself. The Tipple produced this great big sound, really easily, and (for me, at least - YMMV) totally in tune. I couldn’t get much out of the Dixon 3-piece. But there again, that could just have been me …
I think the Tipple is excellent! Like Doug said, there is a wide range of sound you can get from one, but after 8 months with mine I can get a good growly lower register and sweet upper. I’m not always in perfect tuning with fiddles, but that’s no fault of the flute. The most common feedback I have heard at sessions is, “you wouldn’t think that a piece of pipe would sound that good” or something like that.
I have found that the wedge makes it a little harder (more backpressure) to get a sound at first, but it helps with intonation and stability later on.
Since so many people use Dixons and Tipples as “starter” flutes, it got me wondering how good you could get on one of them if you kept at it, and didn’t take the next step toward a more expensive flute. In the same way that fine whistle players can get so much out of a Generation.
I have a Tipple C flute resting nearby. Had the Dixon 3 piece but didn’t find it newbie friendly. The Burns folk flute was my favorite when testing the waters of the flute world.
Talasiga, “that could have been me” is a figure of speech. The actor in this sense is not really in question. With regard to the Dixon 3-piece, a lot of people seem to like it. I had one for awhile, and I certainly had no trouble playing it. The flute looks good, and the canvas case is very nice.
Geez, I think some people here are reading too much into things. benhall.1’s post seemed fairly reasonable to me. Maybe it was his lack of skill, or maybe (in his opinion) it was design flaws in the Dixon flute. Reading through all the past topics related to the 3-piece Dixon delrin flute, it seems that about half the members who have played or owned the Dixon didn’t like it, and the other half did. Personal preference I suppose. Either way, I am happy I ordered the Tipple (even though I haven’t had a chance to try it yet).
Just wanted to add my bit here, FWIW, i’m a beginner and ordered one of Dougs “D Flutes” complete with offset holes, Wedge & Embouchure etc… Communication with Doug was great, delivery was perfect, and the Flute is amazing, and everyone who hears it so far has commented on how incredibly good it sounds.
The only problem i have (& i don’t think you’ll have the same problem due to your hand size?) is both the size of the wholes. and possibly the offset(s)… my hands are large, but perhaps not large enough. Having said that, i’m getting use to it fast and really love to play it whenever possible, so much so that i’m thinking of ordering another asap (In a different key)
Hope you enjoy your new flute… i really do love mine and it’ll stay with me forever… how cool is that?
