I just bought a wooden flute and I am very happy with it
However I just noticed there is one thing about the instrument that kind of unsettles me. The cap at the top of the head joint can be pulled off quite easily. There appears to be some grease on the cap.
I assume this isn't a big deal as long as the cork stays in place, but the ease at which the cap can be taken off kind of bothers me, as I feel this isn't supposed to happen with wooden flutes.
Tell us something.: Mostly producer of the Wooden Flute Obsession 3-volume 6-CD 7-hour set of mostly player's choice of Irish tunes, played mostly solo, on mostly wooden flutes by approximately 120 different mostly highly-rated traditional flute players & are mostly...
The flute may be dehydrated & need to be humidified. Also check for any splitting of the end of the flute tube.
Does the end cap have any thread or cork? If thread, additional wraps can be made to provide a tighter fit. If cork lapping, then either the cork needs to be replaced, or you can try to first revive the cork. Some suggestions for cork can be found in this message thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=98238
Teflon (plumber's) tape can also be used to adjust the fit.
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Wooden Flute Obsession CDs (3 volumes, 6 discs, 7 hours, 120 players/tracks) https://www.worldtrad.org
The flute may be dehydrated & need to be humidified. Also check for any splitting of the end of the flute tube.
Does the end cap have any thread or cork? If thread, additional wraps can be made to provide a tighter fit. If cork lapping, then either the cork needs to be replaced, or you can try to first revive the cork. Some suggestions for cork can be found in this message thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=98238
Teflon (plumber's) tape can also be used to adjust the fit.
There isn't any thread or cork on the end cap, it's just wood. I guess I'll try adjusting the fit by adding some teflon tape.
Tell us something.: I started with playing bamboo flutes. But I transitioned to primarily playing the Boehm flute a few lessons ago with the aim of getting good music instruction. However, I've been transitioning to playing Irish Traditional Music on simple flutes.
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What is basically happening is I think the crown/end cap of my flute is too loose, to the extent that it falls off when I pull it lightly. It doesn't fall off by itself, but it is quite loose. There does appear to be something brown stuck to the end of it, not sure if that is thread...? There also seems to be a lot of grease.
xsdi wrote:I just bought a wooden flute and I am very happy with it
However I just noticed there is one thing about the instrument that kind of unsettles me. The cap at the top of the head joint can be pulled off quite easily. There appears to be some grease on the cap.
I assume this isn't a big deal as long as the cork stays in place, but the ease at which the cap can be taken off kind of bothers me, as I feel this isn't supposed to happen with wooden flutes.
No surprise..same thing happens to my well esteemed French flute crown too.
It is held in place only loosely by the inside of the crown like yours. I think it's important not to wrap thread around too tight or else yhe expansion and moisture build up might crack the headjoint.
Not the most sophisticated design but it works as long as inner crown doesn't shrink. Perhaps try soaking just the crown in linseed oil overnight and see it it expands back to fit better. Cork grease holds it in place. Strange compared to other Uk and USA flutes ...maybe there is a trend for makers to focus on this minimal crown design - very simple compared to the likes of Hawkes & Sons or Rudall Rose crowns from the last century.
Tell us something.: Mostly producer of the Wooden Flute Obsession 3-volume 6-CD 7-hour set of mostly player's choice of Irish tunes, played mostly solo, on mostly wooden flutes by approximately 120 different mostly highly-rated traditional flute players & are mostly...
xsdi wrote:Yes guys, I am talking about the crown.
What is basically happening is I think the crown/end cap of my flute is too loose, to the extent that it falls off when I pull it lightly. It doesn't fall off by itself, but it is quite loose. There does appear to be something brown stuck to the end of it, not sure if that is thread...? There also seems to be a lot of grease.
That looks to me to be thread wrapped around the crown, and it is greased (OK) & compressed flat. Needs more wrapping added until the fit is slightly more snug. Some players use a dirfferent-colored, thinner thread for adjustments, or even dental floss.
International Traditional Music Society, Inc.
A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation
Wooden Flute Obsession CDs (3 volumes, 6 discs, 7 hours, 120 players/tracks) https://www.worldtrad.org
