Wooden/composite headjoint

Irish Flute
1

Hi All,

I am currently using a silver Boehm flute, I know…but I do have reasons. Unfortunately, my Armstrong/Fajardo wooden head joint has cracked and I need a replacement.

I have been trying to order one of the Chinese head joints, I’ve had excellent service out of Chinese wooden view cameras so I know that can be excellent craftsmen. However, the communication problems have proven unsurmountable. He can’t grasp that I need a C flute head joint, not an alto flute head joint.

Anyway, after several positive transactions with suppliers of Chinese photographic equipment, this is completely frustrating.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a wooden head joint that is not too expensive. I’d love an Abell but that’s just not in the budget. There used to be a fellow in the Seattle area that offered them at a reasonable price. If I remember his were around $500 but I’ve lost his contact info.

Is there anyone out there who is using or has tried the Guo Grenaditte head joint. I found one thread on C&F but the only sound samples I’ve found are classical trained flutists so it’s a little hard to judge. In spite of the shortcomings I’ve been very happy with my silver flute and the Armstrong wooden head. Nice dark tone, it’s not an Olwell sound, but for me it works.

Thanks…

JD

2

Peter Noy is in the Seattle area and makes wooden head joints but his price is somewhat more than you remember.

His web site is at http://www.noyflutes.com/boehm_headjoints.html

Best wishes.

Steve

3

Thanks Steve…not the same guy though. I found another in the Seattle area as well, too pricey though.

JD

4

Eppler?

5

Here’s an exhaustive list: http://www.larrykrantz.com/woodmake.htm
I’ll single one that stands out for its quality to price ratio: http://www.copleyflutes.com/boehm.html

6

Unfortunately, my Armstrong/Fajardo wooden head joint has cracked and I need a replacement.

Are you sure it is beyond repair?

7

You also might contact Doug Tipple, a member here on C & F. He has, in the past, admitted to owning a Fajardo/Armstrong head. He may be willing to part with it. Jon C., another member here, as well as Jemtheflute, yet another member, are wizards at headjoint repair. Depending on what continent you are on they would be excellent.

Bob

8

I’ll try this again…just posted a reply and a thank you for all the prompt responses and it disappeared into the ether. :astonished:

Tintin, I was aware of Larry’s extensive list, that’s where I found the guy originally, but he doesn’t seem to be listed anymore.

I’m familiar with Eppler, but it’s a budget buster.

The Copley is promising. And repair is another option. I took it to a local repairman, and the damn head joint had self-healed. At least to the point where he couldn’t really do anything right now. Maybe I’ll just wait until it decides to open back up and squirt some Krazy glue into it.

Anyone have any experience with the Guo (Grenaditte) head?

Thanks again to all of you who took the time to respond. :heart:

JD

9

I do, in fact, have a wedgehead that I am willing to part with for a rather modest price. I have modified the embouchure somewhat, hopefully making it blow easier and better than it did.
http://tippleflutes.com/the-tipple-fajardo-wedge/

10

How about Woodlight headjoints? Bob Ogren, now doing repair work at http://www.leitholdmusic.com/information.php?pID=14

An older posting was:

"Woodlight head joints, made from cherry and walnut by a flutist with love and pride. Sterling silver tenon, 5-year no-crack warranty. $289.00. Contact Bob Ogren, 463 W. 4th St., Winona, MN 55987 @ 608-784-7555 or bogren@luminet.net "

11

I highly recommend David Chu’s headjoints. He’s really figured out all the subtle details of the design. Mine is in boxwood and has a baroque-style embouchure (not his standard). That, combined with the silver flutes, gives a sound much more like an 8-key flute than any other wooden headjoint I’ve ever used. They’re not as cheap as you’re looking for, but worth every penny. http://www.sideblown.com