It can’t be eaten. That’s my problem.
I try! Mopane looks so scrumptious,
especially covered with whipped cream
and marachino cherries…drool, slobber…
Nobody wants to eat blackwood,
except perhaps the larvae you
mention.
How can something that looks so good
taste so bad?
Why get rings and a slide when you could use the money for keys? 
Just a thought.
You can get rings and a slide later if you decide you have to have them. Though I don’t know why you would.
I play a ringless, slideless Burns boxwood Ruddal with two keys, Eb and Fnat. The other accidentals (Bb, C nat and G# cross-finger well. Fantastic flute.
Think about it. 
Doc
Actually I bought the CB mopane flute Micah used to have. I love it!
All wood, pretty, great tone!
I agree about the fittings.
Except that I don’t have keys on any of my flutes, and I like it that way! 
Mary
Keys are interesting. Keys are fun.
Keys are our friends! 
Mary, glad to hear you’re still enjoying the Burns.
With an $800 budget, I’m not sure I would place any priority on keys.
I’d go for a slide first.
Some other well respected makers with flutes around or a bit over the stated budget are Hammy Hamilton, Martin Doyle and Gilles Lehart. Very reasonable prices (in Euros at least, it’s just the exchange rate that’s unfortunate).
Mike, Bryan Byrne’s workshop is in Chelsea, Vermont, and while his keyless flutes cost around $1600, visiting a maker might help you decide what’s important.
You know living in New Hampshire it shouldn’t be that tough to hook up with some other flute players and try some flutes.
I know there are board members in that area as well as big shot flute makers. Isn’t Bryan Byrne in that neck of the woods?. Skip Healy is in Rhode Island and I think Paddy Ward is in the northeast somewhere too. You ought to be able to find a session and try several tooters.
Or, if you’re up for the drive you colud come out to Idaho and try my Burns.
Doc
BTW, it really is true that you probably wouldn’t need a tuning slide for your Burns. Casey makes the tenons plenty long. If you really are one that plays very flat or sharp or flat a slide can be retrofitted.
Mopane is a lovely looking and gets better with age. The pic of John Skelton’s flute is a great example when you compare the newer foot joint to the rest of the flute.
It’s a tough choice, Mike. There are so many good flutes out there. Good luck.
Cheers,
Aaron
I was looking at a Casey burns keyless D flute in mopane with a tuning slide and rings. Looks like $800.00 on the Casey Burns website.
I was also looking at an M & E keyless D flute in blackwood with a tuning slide and rings. Looks like $525.00 on the M & E website.
I can’t tell you about the M&E, but I have one of Casey Burns’ flutes (the most inexpensive model), and I love it. I imagine his more expensive flutes would be even nicer. He’s also very nice to work with.
Hope this helps.
Max