Upgrading from wood to polymer?

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vonmasgaau
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Tell us something.: I'm looking for great and valuable information about flute makers, as I'm about to purchase a simple system flute and there are too many options and I have a relatively limited budget.

Re: Upgrading from wood to polymer?

Post by vonmasgaau »

Loren wrote:Considering the wood your flute is made of, you can expect more cracks, so you might factor this into your decision.
Hi Loren, thank you for your advice, not a happy one indeed, but actually a good one. Have you had former experiences with this wood?

Many local flute makers started to use this wood some years ago due to the high prices of Blackwood and the increasing difficulty to import leading the use of local hardwoods. I've no issue with my pipes, but are bellows blown...
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chas
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Re: Upgrading from wood to polymer?

Post by chas »

I don't know if there are discounted duties between Brazil and Argentina, but Garry Somers is in Brazil and makes polymer flutes that have an excellent reputation and are also in your price range. I haven't played one, so can't directly vouch for them.

http://www.somers-flutes.com
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jim stone
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Re: Upgrading from wood to polymer?

Post by jim stone »

I've played the rudall and heard it played. It's a good flute.
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Loren
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Re: Upgrading from wood to polymer?

Post by Loren »

vonmasgaau wrote:
Loren wrote:Considering the wood your flute is made of, you can expect more cracks, so you might factor this into your decision.
Hi Loren, thank you for your advice, not a happy one indeed, but actually a good one. Have you had former experiences with this wood?

Many local flute makers started to use this wood some years ago due to the high prices of Blackwood and the increasing difficulty to import leading the use of local hardwoods. I've no issue with my pipes, but are bellows blown...
Yes, I used to work at a well known recorder and flutemaking shop that has over 60 years experience producing woodwinds. As you can imagine, they’ve learned a thing or two about woods over the years, and one of those things is that Lignum Vitae (Guayacan) always cracks when used for mouth blown instruments like flutes and recorders. Yes, it may be ok in use for bellows blown instruments. There are several woods like this, Thai boxwood is another example - seems like it would be a great substitute for European Boxwood in flute/whistle/recorder making, but once it cracks over time.

Lots of makers try Lignum Vitae, but eventually they quit using it, if cracked instruments bother them. Some makers just don’t care though and simply say “well that’s wood for you, cracks happen” :swear:
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