key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2002 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I have played the Irish flute on and off for about 30 years. I used to play in sessions but now I play whistle, flute and harmonica in a band called Waxies Dargle.
- Location: The East of England
key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
I've been helping a friend of mine revitalise his Siccama flute (serial number 735 or 736, as far as I can make out), including replacing some of the pads. Clarinet pads (which I use for my Morvan flute) seem to work fine for the "normal" keys, since the seatings are quite prominent and in good condition. But I don't know what type of pad would be best for the two normally-open "special" Siccama keys. I am wondering if a softer pad would be needed, since it's a bit more difficult for normally-open pads to bed down properly., as the keys are...er...normally open. If it was my own flute, I would experiment a bit but not on someone else's treasured instrument. Any advice would be welcome.
- flutefry
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:58 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Pipes have become my main instrument, but I still play the flute. I have emerged from the "instrument acquisition" phase, and am now down to one full set of pipes (Gordon Galloway), and one flute (Hudson Siccama).
- Location: Coastal British Columbia
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
On my Siccama, all the pads are the same type regardless of whether the key is normally open or closed. I have no technical knowledge but they are white, thin, and the contact surface is also thin. My bet is that they are regular flute or woodwind pads, but not the orange ones.....
That said, when I had mine refurbished, new springs were needed on some keys, as there were sealing problems not attributable to the pads.
Hugh
That said, when I had mine refurbished, new springs were needed on some keys, as there were sealing problems not attributable to the pads.
Hugh
I thought I had no talent, but my talent is to persist anyway.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2002 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I have played the Irish flute on and off for about 30 years. I used to play in sessions but now I play whistle, flute and harmonica in a band called Waxies Dargle.
- Location: The East of England
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
Thanks Hugh. I'll order some regular white flute pads and try those, if the flute's custodian (I use that word, rather than "owner") allows it.
-
- Posts: 388
- Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 3:50 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
Grishnakh, I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the white flute pads. I have an interest in the original Siccama flutes. Does this one have pin or block mounted keys, and are the low C keys of the Pewter plug type, or padded?
Regards.
Regards.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2002 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I have played the Irish flute on and off for about 30 years. I used to play in sessions but now I play whistle, flute and harmonica in a band called Waxies Dargle.
- Location: The East of England
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
The owner seems happy with the brown clarinet pads that I installed for him but I said I'd try the white pads if there is a problem with the former in the future.
The keys are all block-mounted, except for the two Siccama keys, which are pin-mounted.
As for the low C keys, he removed them some time ago and has now (tragically) lost them. Apparently, he left them at his sister's house and she threw them away. They were the pewter-plug type, he told me.
The keys are all block-mounted, except for the two Siccama keys, which are pin-mounted.
As for the low C keys, he removed them some time ago and has now (tragically) lost them. Apparently, he left them at his sister's house and she threw them away. They were the pewter-plug type, he told me.
-
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:18 pm
- antispam: No
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
Try sponge rubber 2mm thick, works great on my Siccama for some years now. I tried clarinet leather pads but they were to thick.
I tuned the A + G hole with some epoxy mixed with black wood putty, flute is perfect in tune and a great player, just bottom D could be a bit stronger. If you`re interested, i can give you a grip chart.
I tuned the A + G hole with some epoxy mixed with black wood putty, flute is perfect in tune and a great player, just bottom D could be a bit stronger. If you`re interested, i can give you a grip chart.
- flutefry
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:58 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: Pipes have become my main instrument, but I still play the flute. I have emerged from the "instrument acquisition" phase, and am now down to one full set of pipes (Gordon Galloway), and one flute (Hudson Siccama).
- Location: Coastal British Columbia
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
augurforever, my bottom D is now very strong, perhaps the best flute I have had for the bottom. To arrive at this happy state took a lot of work on the part of the restorer to fix leaks that caused a weaker bottom D. These were: a crack in the foot tenon; a leaking short F, a leaking G#, and a leaking Bb. Once these were fixed (new springs, and the short F was remade) the bottom D was astonishing. So you may have some leaks upstream of your D....
Hugh
Hugh
I thought I had no talent, but my talent is to persist anyway.
-
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:18 pm
- antispam: No
Re: key-pads suitable for open keys on Siccama flute?
Hi Hugh, thanks for the advice, i will check for leakings. Although bottom D is not weak, perhaps i shouldnt compare it with a non keyd flute...