Chiff and Fipple Forums

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 one of his flutes.

The link to the IFS is

http://www.irishflutestore.com

It doesn’t hurt to have a look. Btw, the folks at the IFS are on vacation until the 11th, but you can still make a purchase anytime, it just won’t be shipped until the 11th. You get a week to try it out, and return it if you don’t like it.

Sorry if this sounds like a commercial post, but I figure that you are still new to the flute world and would want as much information as possible.

John

Peter Duggan wrote:Doug Tipple makes flutes out of PVC pipe, not Delrin.

While those may be cheaper, I don't want to play a PVC flute, because I've heard that they don't last as long as delrin flutes

Le flute padawan wrote:

Peter Duggan wrote:Doug Tipple makes flutes out of PVC pipe, not Delrin.

While those may be cheaper, I don't want to play a PVC flute, because I've heard that they don't last as long as delrin flutes

Good as Doug's flutes may sound & be reasonably comfortable to play, they're still a cylindrical bore instrument (with a wedge for tuning, like a Boehm flute). You should have a traditional, conical bore flute if you are going to seriously pursue learning with an instructor, and plan to stick with it. My choice would be a flute from Dave Copley, Garry Somers, Seery, or similar maker.

It's a pity you're all quoting me when my reply (prompted by JimmyManley's suggestion) was already to tell you a Tipple's not what you want. PVC is not Delrin and pipe is cylindrical. QED.

I’ve had a Tipple, a Seery, and an M&E all in my possession at one point, but it was’t until I got my Walt Sweet Shannon that I really got fired up about practicing and improving. Maybe it’s designed for beginner embouchures more than the others, I can’t say. But it really sings under my fingers moreso than any other I’ve played. Your mileage may vary of course!
My only complaint is aesthetic, since it doesn’t have rings on it.

Yeah, the Shannon has an exceptional sound. I like the elegance of black
flutes without rings, personally.

Peter Duggan wrote:It's a pity you're all quoting me when my reply (prompted by JimmyManley's suggestion) was already to tell you a Tipple's not what you want. PVC is not Delrin and pipe is cylindrical. QED.

I thought the point needed more reinforcement.

So I have been doing some research, and I have found a cheap(er) delrin flute called the "Lon Dubh" and I would like to know if these are good flutes.
Here is a link to where I found it:
https://mcneelamusic.com/the-lon-dubh-d ... flute-set/#
Thanks!

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.

Le flute padawan wrote:So I have been doing some research, and I have found a cheap(er) delrin flute called the "Lon Dubh" and I would like to know if these are good flutes.
Here is a link to where I found it:
https://mcneelamusic.com/the-lon-dubh-d ... flute-set/#
Thanks!

There are plenty of options near that price, and I've never heard of that make. You might want to pursue a known makers. There are plenty of known makers both in Europe and the USA that sell reasonably priced delrin flutes.

McNeela has been discussed previously on C&F. In addition to selling instruments from Tony Dixon & Roy McManus, they were importing instruments from India, Pakistan & China & either approving or improving them for sale. The overall reputation seems to be good, but they are generally sort of operating at the low end of the spectrum for what are probably usable instruments. I think we've already guided the OP to other solid choices. If they happen to be around Dublin & want to try out the McNeela offerings, that's on them.

Some other discussion on thesession.org, if I may quote them:
https://thesession.org/discussions/41154

I just recently bought a very nice beginner delrin flute from Damian Thompson, well made & sounds good, & not too expensive, definately worth looking at, if anyone is looking to buy in the UK.

Thanks for the tips, guys
I shall be sure to look more into flutes that are not around The Forbidden Area of the World
Do y'all know any websites that sell good flutes?

Le flute padawan wrote:Thanks for the tips, guys
I shall be sure to look more into flutes that are not around The Forbidden Area of the World
Do y'all know any websites that sell good flutes?

If you want a Pratten-style (similar to the Seery, which is based on a Hudson Pratten design), then go right ahead & buy this Garry Somers one used from a long-time C&F member you can trust.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=106875&p=1205443&si ... 7#p1205443

For new flutes in Delrin:
Copley & Boegli
https://www.irishflutestore.com/product ... -in-delrin
http://www.copleyflutes.com/catalog.html

Garry Somers
http://www.somers-flutes.com/prices-contact
Sometimes also in stock at irishflutestore.com

Rob Forbes
http://www.forbesflutes.com/ordering.html
If accurate, his webpage lists a 4-month waiting period - might not be helpful to you.

Certainly, no problem ordering decent flutes from Ireland, such as the Seery
Out of stock at present at https://www.irishflutestore.com/product ... in-pratten

Seery official: https://www.facebook.com/seery.flutes
http://www.colemanirishmusic.com/shop/p ... php?id=449
https://www.mulroymusic.ie/about-us/our ... pipes.html
A student version I'm not familiar with, http://tradirishmusic.com/shop/index.ph ... uct_id=362
The aforementioned McNeela shop: https://mcneelamusic.com/des-seery-flut ... lined-box/

Michael Cronnolly M&E flutes:
https://www.mandeirishflutes.ie/

Damian Thompson also has a sterling rep, but I have not tried them myself.
https://www.thompsonflutes.com/about

Make sure you are careful about what currency items are priced in.

My suggestions would be Dave Copley for a U.S. manufacturer, and Garry Somers or Seery, particularly if they come into stock at irishflutestore.com

I second kkrell's advice. For $325 shipped, where would you find a higher quality delrin flute than Loren's Somers pratten? I bought a Somers from a forum member earlier this spring, and I'd buy it again. It's a beautiful flute and plays like a champ.