Chiff and Fipple Forums

Hi all. I recently acquired a Copley D flute in Delrin. Great lil flute, love the tone and the feel in the hands,
the only thing is I am starting to have issues with the offset holes. Wondering if anyone happens to have a
strait holed one they may want to trade? It is absolute pristine condition, no rings no slide.
Thanks,
EZ

Will you say what problems you are having with the offset holes?

I find I am having issues with my RH ring finger not covering the D hole sometimes, as it is trying to land ware the hole would normally lay.
EZ

Give it a couple of weeks. You'll be alright. Most everything new feels weird initially.
The body/hands get used to this. Patience is a great help in such situations.

jim stone wrote:Give it a couple of weeks. You'll be alright. Most everything new feels weird initially.
The body/hands get used to this. Patience is a great help in such situations.

I agree with Jim. If you really like the flute, give it a few weeks of regular playing. I had a tough time with my Burns flute with offset holes at first, as it was the first I'd played with offset holes, but now it's no problem. There was just one day I picked it up and it felt totally normal.

Weren't offset holes supposed to take the effort out of it?

I do appreciate the friendly advice, and I do believe I could "get used to it" however I do not really want to try to get used to something contrary to the direction I am heading with my playing. I am on the list for an 8 key flute from Mr Copley and I fully intend for that to have strait holes as my current 6 keyed cocus Starck has. For me strait holes feel quite nice, as opposed to the offset holes being a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it is just me, but that's the way I see it.

EZ

Perhaps you could have the holes plugged, & new ones drilled, rather than selling it/swapping it.

fatmac wrote:Perhaps you could have the holes plugged, & new ones drilled, rather than selling it/swapping it.

That is true,
I have spoken with Dave about the options and that is one.
Just looking at the least costly way to resolve.
Thanks for all the input. It is a very fine instrument.
I was quite blessed to receive it as a gift from a friend.
He is a not flute player that gave it a go. He ordered with
offset holes to suit him. A fine gift from a fine friend.
EZ

IMO the least expensive, most efficient, and probably fastest option is to play scales for a couple of days. Also once you get used to the ergonomic holes your hands will move between them and inline holes
automatically. You are not slowing or impeding your development in playing inline holes
by getting used to the ergonomic. I play keyed flutes with inline holes and also my Copley
delrin with ergonomic holes (as well as Casey's C flute). Can't tell the difference.
Hands will adjust automatically. Some of the people advising you have many years of experience.
We try to save new people needless trouble and expense. FWIW. Good luck in any case!

sell it to me

Offer?

EzMan wrote:Offer?

sent PM

Possibly interested in other keyless offerings too.

I too struggle with offset holes. My first low D was a Reyburn, and I let him persuade me to get one with offset holes. After a couple of months of trying, I had to send it back and get a pipe for it with inline holes. With shipping and customs charges, it basically more than doubled the price of the whistle. No offsets for me from then on. They don't work. At least for me.