Chiff and Fipple Forums

I just sent off the last payment for this flute. A "Nicholsonized" Rudall, Rose and Carte serial number 6078. This flute plays fantastically, and will be a good one to copy, blocks and all. I will be working towards having copies of this particular flute in 6 key and maybe even for 8 key available by the end of the year hopefully. But for now it is wonderful as a maker to own such a lovely piece. A friend of mine purchased this off Sothebys back in 1980 and hardly played it. Its in amazing shape. Note that the case is for a different flute - but its the one that arrived with it.



Note the "Nicholsonized" features - a cutout for the left hand to improve its position, and an inlayed piece of shark skin for the right hand thumb.



Casey

Hi Casey. What, with this flute, does "Nicholsonized" mean?

Also what is the half moon indent just above the first hole?

hpinson wrote:Hi Casey. What, with this flute, does "Nicholsonized" mean?

Also what is the half moon indent just above the first hole?

Described in text between the photos.

That's it - just a thumb cutout and sharkskin grip?

Nice! Congrats Casey! Looking forward to seeing your copies.

That is beautiful. Aged to perfection

Beautiful looking flute! And the timing is it period or modern?

Eric

That's a beautiful flute.

I've read about Nicholson's adapting a cut-away for his left index but had previously only seen one example. My understanding is that the cut-away and right thumb-friction (so neatly done with inlaid shark skin here) were to facilitate his preference for increased inward pressure of the flute against the lip. His right thumb pressure was said to be more on the side of the flute (exerting outward pressure) due to his linked preference for off-setting the tone holes; twisting the bottom section away from the body. It's fascinating to see those preference literally shape the flute design itself.

What date would this flute be? 1820's?

Rudall, Rose and Carte was in existence from 1852 to 1878. According to the Registry this flute was made sometime around 1852 to 1854.

There is a short writeup about the cutout and the shark skin in Rockstro's book in section #536.

Now that's a really cool flute.