Can anyone tell me about 'Nicholson' model of flutes?

curleywurley · **Joined:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:39 am **Posts:** 7

I'm interested in purchasing a flute that has been offered to me. It is made by Patrick Olwell and it is based on the 'nicholson' model - I am not familiar with this . How does it compare to a Prattan or a Rudell? Thanks for any replies,

Curleywurley

Jon C. · **Posted:** Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:00 pm

As far as I could tell, it is the same as his Pratten, as far as the bore, but smaller tone holes.

Cathy Wilde · **Posted:** Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:03 pm

I think I recall seeing a piece of paper from Patrick Olwell describing the Nicholson as sort of "in between" a Pratten and a Rudall. My Olwell Pratten had bigger toneholes and a big old honking sound. It could take a lot of air, though it didn't need it. My present Olwell Nicholson has markedly smaller toneholes which are actually spaced a little closer together (particularly on the right hand, where they're a bit more "upstream" from the foot end). Like Jon said, I don't know if the bore profile is any different, ALTHOUGH I have gotten my cleaning swab stuck in the Nicholson foot with more regularity which makes me wonder if there's a more dramatic taper from head to foot.

It prefers much less air than the Pratten will take, and lets you know if you're overfilling it by kind of going a little "dead." However, a nice light airstream and not too much lip pressure and the thing just sings in a surprisingly big loud voice. A phenomenal flute, really -- suits me better than the Pratten overall, I think. If you can get a fair price on it you'll probably be very happy with it. Mine's a terrific all-around flute.

I've not played one of Patrick's Rudalls but the Murray I have is, I'm told, a variant of a Rudall and has a smaller, more slender bore, and (oddly!) bigger toneholes, particularly on the right hand, than the Olwell Nicholson.

David Migoya · **Joined:** Tue Aug 07, 2001 4:00 pm **Posts:** 1685

I have a keyless Olwell Nicholson and it's a fine fine flute.
You'll feel the same, I'm sure.

jtrout · **Joined:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:05 am **Posts:** 58

Buy it!!!

jim stone · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2001 4:00 pm **Posts:** 14711

Yes, unless the price is crazy, it will be a great flute.
The headjoint fits the Pratten body, and so you can get a Pratten
body too, if ever you really want one.

Aanvil · **Posted:** Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:14 pm

buy it

boyd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:24 pm

Buy it

or give US the fone number!!!!

Boyd

Jon C. · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:52 pm

oh ya, Buy it!

Blackwood · **Joined:** Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:51 am **Posts:** 1207

I have an Olwell Pratten and an Olwell Nicholson, both are superb. The Pratten is slightly more powerful, but you get a focused tone out of the Nicholson like you wouldn't believe. You can't go wrong there....

I've had several players trying to swipe that Nicholson from me... ;-)

Jay · **Posted:** Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:47 am

Blackwood wrote:

I have an Olwell Pratten and an Olwell Nicholson, both are superb. The Pratten is slightly more powerful, but you get a focused tone out of the Nicholson like you wouldn't believe. You can't go wrong there....

I've had several players trying to swipe that Nicholson from me... ;-)

You better check the case and make sure it's still inside... :poke:

'tis a nice playing flute.

Can anyone tell me about 'Nicholson' model of flutes?

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