Chiff and Fipple Forums

You don’t want to seal the inside of the flute, which boiled linseed oil will do. You want moisture to absorb into the wood very slowly which is what the recommended oils will allow. Btw, flaxseed oil is actually linseed oil, just hopefully not with all the chemical additives that they put into boil...

Sam Murray recommended linseed oil, a bit to my surprise. But only very occasionally and when it was really needed. Other makers always recommended almond oil to me. Linseed oil is the oil is the flax plant, the unboiled version is marketed usually as flaxseed oil. Boiled linseed oil is another sto...

As far as swabs go, I prefer the Hodge silk flute swab. It is quite thin but very absorbent. Wrapped thinly around a Yamaha stick it dries the foot joint quite nicely. A little thicker for the middle joint or joints (as you push it in and twist it, it takes on a conical shape). Wrap it over the top ...

IMHO, I don’t believe that flute prices are a function of supply and demand. In reality, if a maker can’t recoup the cost of production and generate a reasonable profit, he will most likely stop making flutes and move onto something that provides a living wage. With low demand and if buyers are not ...

I would check with Terry McGee. I know he makes custom head joints, he might do a custom foot joint for you.

John Dura

From my research, they are made in Pakistan, which he is very hesitant to mention. From experience, they are very cheaply made. I could provide details if necessary but I don’t want to be sued. Suffice it to say that you get what you what you pay for, but maybe, in this case, not always.

After looking at your pictures again, I am inclined to agree with Bob that your flute may not be German. Looking at the G# key, most German flutes that I have seen have the key going transversely, or at an angle across the flute. It could be an American copy of a German flute, or even French, but I ...

Dark wood with red highlights could be Cocus. However the English makers had a lock on cocus, coming from English colonies, shipped to England. The Germans made do with a similar looking wood that they called Madagascar rosewood. Initially, I had been tricked by a flute I am currently restoring - un...

I forgot to mention that plumber’s Teflon tape is good for temporarily tightening up loose cork joints and even tightening the cork in the head joint. But you probably knew that already.

John

A couple of things: this flute may be grenadilla (otherwise known as African Blackwood). I think it may be not too old, as early German flutes were often Madagascar rosewood. Also it doesn’t have the relatively common silver end and foot caps. You could try taping over the barrel crack with scotch t...

I believe you are right about the Eb flute. In Eb sessions, everyone tunes up a half step, to make the sound livelier. Whistle players obviously use an Eb whistle. I don’t know about accordion players and other fixed pitch instruments...

Terry McGee wrote: I have a Rudall Carte flute, #7120, which I think I've dated as 1998

Must be one of their more recent flutes!

John Dura

FWIW, there is a previously owned Copley delrin flute for sale at the Irish Flute Store for $389.99. I am not an interested party, just a satisfied customer of both the IFS and Dave Copley. I have a Copley mopane Eb that’s is awesome. Dave is great to work with, should you ever need maintenance on o...

Michael Cronnolly of M&E flutes has been doing keyed PVC flutes for decades. Francois Baubet makes great keyed delrin flutes as well (my current flute...gave up my brief flirtation with antique American flutes like Firth, Hall, Pond and others for it). Eric I had the opportunity to try a couple...

kkrell wrote:Ay-yi-yi, you're late to the game

I guess I am a little late. I also have to learn how to search this forum.

Thank you for your help with these searches, I am deeply in your debt.

John