Who makes the best Rudalls?

Irish Flute
1

Rudall-style flutes can have small, medium or large holes, so are there best makers of different size Rudalls?

2

If you’re looking for a small holed Rudall, John Gallagher’s reproduction is hard to beat. His workmanship is second to none as well. I’ve been playing one for about a month now and love it.

3

Well, the obvious flippant answer is that Rudall makes/made the best Rudalls. :wink:

I’d have to say that if you want a Rudall-style flute that plays like a Rudall, the most Rudall-like I’ve ever played is a Bryan Byrne. I haven’t played a Gallagher Rudall.

I’ve played Olwell and Wilkes Rudall-style flutes, and they’re excellent too. But I feel like the Byrne has more of a Rudall feel, whereas the Olwell and Wilkes play like, well, Olwell and Wilkes instruments (respectively).

This is in no way to demean the way a Wilkes or an Olwell plays. Of course.

Stuart

4

Blayne,

Can you post some pictures of your Gallagher Rudall? I’d love to see it!

Thanks, Jeanie

5

Jeanie, if Blayne cant post a picture, I can in a week or so. A blackwood one and a cocobolo one. I’ll be going to his shop soon and can take my digital camara. By the way, his turn around time is not to bad, a few months.

Nelson

6

I can email a picture of a beautiful 8 key R&R model by John, for someone to post.
Truly a piece of art. I’ll need an email address.

what about Grinter?

7

My Grinter keyless – medium size holes – is clear, bright, perfectly in tune and has great volume. It is a wonderful flute. I haven’t liked all Grinters but I am very impressed with this one.
When you speak of Rudalls, hole size is not the only issue. Flutes from different periods seem to have different characteristics. My Rudall Carte from c.1867 plays diffferently from my Rudall Rose from c.1832.
Both the chimney height and the cut of the embouchure will make a huge difference from one flute to the next.

8

Can somebody tell me how much, roughly, gallagher’s flutes
cost and the approximate waiting list? Curious.

9

Here’s Eilam’s picture of a Gallagher R&R:

Stuart

10

Thanks for posting the picture, eilam and sturob! Beautiful flute!
Nelson, I’ll be glad to see your pictures when you take them!

Jeanie

11

Jim, my Keyless Gallagher Pratten’s base price was $1100 with no deposit required last April (don’t know if he’s now asking for deposits or not) - I can’t image Rudall’s being priced too off of that. The blocks and engraved silver rings I chose added another couple hundred. I waited about 3.5-4 months. I understand his wait is up a bit, but still well under a year, I beleive.

Cheers,

  • r
12

Thanks.