My new Carbony flute in D
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 9:30 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I'm learning Irish flute and your forum is the most informative one I've found. Your members have great advice on flute techniques and also flute making. I have a lathe and would like to attempt to make my own flute some day. In the mean time it's helpful reading your forums reviews of current flute makers.
- Location: Echo Park CA
My new Carbony flute in D
Hello Everybody,
I just wanted to say how much fun I'm having with my Carbony flute in D. To my eyes it is very beautiful and suits my needs well. I've been going on long walks in the hills and playing while walking. Also it feels like it would be very handy if I run in to trouble with a mugger or aggressive dog. The tone and volume seem great, but I don't have any other Irish flutes to compare it to, just my Boehm. I'm only a few years in to playing flute, my main instrument is guitar (I play in a band called Dengue Fever). I got the standard finger spacing and it's comfortable for me, I'm 6' tall with normal sized hands. The flute is so well made that it feels like it could be around for eons, dug up in the ruins of our civilization like the monolith in "2001 a Space Odyssey".
I just wanted to say how much fun I'm having with my Carbony flute in D. To my eyes it is very beautiful and suits my needs well. I've been going on long walks in the hills and playing while walking. Also it feels like it would be very handy if I run in to trouble with a mugger or aggressive dog. The tone and volume seem great, but I don't have any other Irish flutes to compare it to, just my Boehm. I'm only a few years in to playing flute, my main instrument is guitar (I play in a band called Dengue Fever). I got the standard finger spacing and it's comfortable for me, I'm 6' tall with normal sized hands. The flute is so well made that it feels like it could be around for eons, dug up in the ruins of our civilization like the monolith in "2001 a Space Odyssey".
Carbony, Yamaha 381
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Thanks for posting. I wonder if people who have played these flutes, and are knowledgeable about other Irish flutes,
will say what they think about them. I've never seen one outside of pics. Look interesting, anyhow.
will say what they think about them. I've never seen one outside of pics. Look interesting, anyhow.
- Sillydill
- Posts: 964
- Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:33 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Edge of Misery (Missouri) KC area
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Hey Guys,
I tried one of Rob's early Carbony flutes and thought the material had excellent acoustical properties. However he was not a flute player, so he didn't know how to design a great flute (had a narrow linear bore). I recommended changes to embouchure and sent him plans for Rudall # 5501 (both of which he used), but I never got to try his "Improved" flute. He appears to be continually refining the design (onward and upwards).
I tried one of Rob's early Carbony flutes and thought the material had excellent acoustical properties. However he was not a flute player, so he didn't know how to design a great flute (had a narrow linear bore). I recommended changes to embouchure and sent him plans for Rudall # 5501 (both of which he used), but I never got to try his "Improved" flute. He appears to be continually refining the design (onward and upwards).
Keep on Tootin!
Jordan
Jordan
- plunk111
- Posts: 1522
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:02 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Wheeling, WV
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
I, too, tried one of his early flutes - I think it was on a tour through Chiff - and found it to be, well, bad... Tuning was bad and there was NO cross-fingered C-nat. HOWEVER, I tried one of his new ones at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival and it was a completely different animal. His new ones are really nice - good tuning, great tone, nice low-D... Basically everything you want in a keyless flute and really light in the hand as well. My only problem now is that they seem a little costly, especially when compared to Dave Copleys which are significantly lower in price and (IMHO) play just as well or better. The novelty and lightness of the carbon fiber may be worth it to some players, though...
My 2 cents,
Pat
My 2 cents,
Pat
Pat Plunkett, Wheeling, WV
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Thanks. Pat do you mean Dave C's delrin flutes? Reckon you do.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 9:30 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I'm learning Irish flute and your forum is the most informative one I've found. Your members have great advice on flute techniques and also flute making. I have a lathe and would like to attempt to make my own flute some day. In the mean time it's helpful reading your forums reviews of current flute makers.
- Location: Echo Park CA
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
I've been testing it on the RTTA tuning app and it seems pretty good. Rob told me the flute I have is modeled after a Pratten Perfected from around 1859. The low D is solid and a C natural cross fingered or half covered both work. I've been playing a Japanese scale that has an F and a B flat. I still haven't managed a D sharp but that's probably just me.
Carbony, Yamaha 381
- Unseen122
- Posts: 3542
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 7:21 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Of course I'm not a bot; I've been here for years... Apparently that isn't enough to pass muster though!
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
I thought I remembered posting about my experiences with Carbony flutes before. As it turns out I did! A year ago to the day practically. I stand by what I said before, although I haven't played any of the flutes since then so if the design is different my comments are moot-point. I have played other Carbony whistles since then and thought they were decent (although my new Burke brass and old Goldie Overton are much preferable to me for high ds). I do have to agree with Pat about Copley delrin vs. Carbony.
- plunk111
- Posts: 1522
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:02 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Wheeling, WV
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Yup...jim stone wrote:Thanks. Pat do you mean Dave C's delrin flutes? Reckon you do.
Pat Plunkett, Wheeling, WV
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Thanks to everyone. I forgot last year's thread!
- MadmanWithaWhistle
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:15 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Instrument maker and researcher exploring new methods of creating traditional instruments with longevity aforethought. Player of the whistle, flute, and continental European border pipes.
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
While a big fan of Rob's whistles, I think he is still improving his flute design. I played the re-designed pratten based flute and just found the tone to be unfocused, and the tactile feedback all over the map. The tone never really "set" in a sweet spot like on other flutes. Still though, it's a massive improvement over previous work.
- Tjones
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:16 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Pacific Northwest
- Contact:
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Just to add my two cents ~ I, like the OP, think the Carbony flute is fun to play. I’ve had the flute a little over a year. I have played it in sessions, taken it traveling and had no problems with the intonation, the volume is good and have enjoyed playing it. If this was my only flute it would probably be fine.
Since it’s not, what I’ve found though, is the flute’s body has a smaller diameter, and I’m not sure if this is the cause or not, but the “tactile feedback” is an issue. I seem to stumble on tunes with the fingering with this flute, where my other flutes their is no issues. I’m not sure if this describes what’s happening correctly. (I own four other D flutes, plus flutes in other keys.)
To sum up ~ Some of the flutes must play well, some must not, so one wants to make sure to find one that suits them. And, you’ll probably get use to the smaller body if one is not switching between flutes, and won’t have “tactile issues” if this is one’s only flute.
Since it’s not, what I’ve found though, is the flute’s body has a smaller diameter, and I’m not sure if this is the cause or not, but the “tactile feedback” is an issue. I seem to stumble on tunes with the fingering with this flute, where my other flutes their is no issues. I’m not sure if this describes what’s happening correctly. (I own four other D flutes, plus flutes in other keys.)
To sum up ~ Some of the flutes must play well, some must not, so one wants to make sure to find one that suits them. And, you’ll probably get use to the smaller body if one is not switching between flutes, and won’t have “tactile issues” if this is one’s only flute.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:15 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Does anyone have experience with the small hand options with Carbony? Looks like there's a newer one that's closer to Boehm spacing that looks intriguing but might be difficult to clean.
I travel to dry climates often enough to want a back up that isn't wood - I love my Burns small-handed flute and am not looking to replace it. Current travel flute is a Copley Delrin, but it makes my tendonitis flare up if I play for more than half an hour (it's a lovely flute otherwise, and I would still highly recommend his flutes for anyone without my specific issues).
I travel to dry climates often enough to want a back up that isn't wood - I love my Burns small-handed flute and am not looking to replace it. Current travel flute is a Copley Delrin, but it makes my tendonitis flare up if I play for more than half an hour (it's a lovely flute otherwise, and I would still highly recommend his flutes for anyone without my specific issues).
-
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:33 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Here for a bit to get info on adding another keyed lefty flute to my instrument collection. Preferably something from a highly respected maker. Been playing since 2006.
- Location: Where the mud roams wild
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
How heavy is it?
Reason I ask: my first was an M & E delrin. Which played fine but gave me tendonitis due to the fatness and the (excessive) weight. I have a C-tipple for knocking around with but am looking for a camping flute that works a little better.
And thus, this newb hopefully passes the three-post newb probation.
Reason I ask: my first was an M & E delrin. Which played fine but gave me tendonitis due to the fatness and the (excessive) weight. I have a C-tipple for knocking around with but am looking for a camping flute that works a little better.
And thus, this newb hopefully passes the three-post newb probation.
My name is John. It is NOT "OP."
- MadmanWithaWhistle
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:15 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Instrument maker and researcher exploring new methods of creating traditional instruments with longevity aforethought. Player of the whistle, flute, and continental European border pipes.
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Exceptionally light - it's carbon fiber. You won't find a lighter flute out there.Flutulator wrote:How heavy is it?
Reason I ask: my first was an M & E delrin. Which played fine but gave me tendonitis due to the fatness and the (excessive) weight. I have a C-tipple for knocking around with but am looking for a camping flute that works a little better.
And thus, this newb hopefully passes the three-post newb probation.
- pancelticpiper
- Posts: 5298
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:25 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Playing Scottish and Irish music in California for 45 years.
These days many discussions are migrating to Facebook but I prefer the online chat forum format. - Location: WV to the OC
Re: My new Carbony flute in D
Around a year ago, out at a Highland Games, I stopped by their booth and tried various flutes and whistles.
The caveat is that I've played a large number of original 19th century flutes including original R&R's and Prattens, and neo-Irish flutes by a number of makers, and Low Whistles by most of the current leading makers, so my bar is set pretty high.
That being said, my takeaway is that none of the Carbony instruments performed like serious quality instruments of their type. This agrees with the oft-heard opinion in the Highland pipe world that their Highland pipes and chanters don't play like legitimate instruments are supposed to.
They had dijeridus and Spanish gaitas too, and my impression was of a company dabbling in instruments that they didn't have a solid grounding in, as far as serious instruments of these various types are expected to work.
The caveat is that I've played a large number of original 19th century flutes including original R&R's and Prattens, and neo-Irish flutes by a number of makers, and Low Whistles by most of the current leading makers, so my bar is set pretty high.
That being said, my takeaway is that none of the Carbony instruments performed like serious quality instruments of their type. This agrees with the oft-heard opinion in the Highland pipe world that their Highland pipes and chanters don't play like legitimate instruments are supposed to.
They had dijeridus and Spanish gaitas too, and my impression was of a company dabbling in instruments that they didn't have a solid grounding in, as far as serious instruments of these various types are expected to work.
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle