Top-end Flutes?

[hpinson]

A keyed Olwell just came up for sale in the US, for 8K plus.

Who do people consider are contemporary flutemakers who produce work of similar quality, but at a more reasonable price?

[jemtheflute]

Morvan in Britanny is making fabulous flutes these days.

[Uni Flute]

I agree Stephane Morvan is one of the leading makers of today, along with; Patrick Olwell, Michael Grinter and Chris Wilkes.

Out of interest hpinson, where did you see this Olwell advertised?

[Julia Delaney]

In defense of Olwell, he does not charge more for his flutes than other makers charge for their flutes. In fact Olwell often charges less for his work, though there is often a wait for the flute. This is also the case with such other esteemed makers as Chris Wilkes, Geoff Woof, and Colin Dipper. The instrument is worth waiting for. But if you can't wait, and decide to pay more on the secondary market to avoid the wait, then the premium goes to the seller and not to the maker.

[kkrell]

Out of interest hpinson, where did you see this Olwell advertised?

BTW, there's a 6-key blackwood Olwell at the Irish Flute store for $8,500.

[hpinson]

Not knocking Olwell Julia Delaney - just that they are rather difficult to acquire with a long wait, and come at a premium from third parties. Interested what the 2017 alternatives are if you want a top notch flute.

Maybe I should check what the wait is. I had assumed years - or books closed to new orders.

Yes - it is at Blayne's Irish Flute Shop. It just came for sale yesterday, July 14, 2017.

[plunk111]

I highly recommend John Gallagher's flutes - I own one and know John personally and can guarantee that his flutes are just as good (if not better than) ANY of the top makers!

Pat

[Steampacket]

Another alternative is to buy a Victorian simple system flute such as a Rudall & Rose, Rudall Carte, Wylde, Hawkes, etc., and have it serviced by a professional, new pads, key springs if needed. Much cheaper to buy these days than a keyed Olwell, Wilkes etc. A good simple system Rudall for example, in tune with itself at A=440, is as good as it gets. Can be accquired for £900-£2500 ($1200-$3300) (€1000-€2900).

During Willie Week Jon Dodd, Miltown Malbay, serviced two R&R flutes for me, new pads, two new key springs, new cork, crack in one head joint stabilised. Jon takes €275 (two flutes) for this and did a top notch job. The two flutes are now like new, so easy to play, in tune, strong bottom D. I'm over the moon. I strongly recommend Rudall & Rose, Rudall Carte flutes

[Uni Flute]

I am with Steampacket on this one, when it comes to value for money, antique eight key flutes are the absolute best value.

[Unseen122]

I highly recommend John Gallagher's flutes - I own one and know John personally and can guarantee that his flutes are just as good (if not better than) ANY of the top makers!

Pat

I'd have to agree with this 100% (although I don't know John as well as Pat having only met him in the flesh once a few months ago). Although there are plenty of fine makers on this thread; it really comes down to personal preference, I've never played an Olwell I liked as much as my flute from John but people who own Olwells haven't always been that fond of my flute when they have tried it.

(FWIW all of the D and Eb flute recordings in my signature links are on my flute [set] from John if you want to hear one in action. [Except the youtube playlist with videos of me posted by others some of those, anything pre-'11, are on the Martin Doyle I used to have])

[sligofluter]

Morvan in Britanny is making fabulous flutes these days.

True, but my experience was much better with the Morvan Pratten model than the Rudall.

By other hand not all the Olwell´s are the same for me.

[Steve Bliven]

Should get in a word for Bryan Byrne in VT, USA for consideration.

And where would folks put Peter Noy in the heirarchy?

Best wishes.

Steve

[Nanohedron]

And where would folks put Peter Noy in the heirarchy?

Well, I'm a total fan of Noy myself, but the OP asked for top-end sticks at lower prices, so I didn't say anything. Noy runs high. You know the saying: "You wand it good, fast, and cheap? Pick two." Noy's good, and he's fast, and that plus the quality of his work and materials is where a lot of the cost comes in. Still and all, if you're in a hurry and have the funds, I'd otherwise wholeheartedly recommend him. It should be pointed out that he works more along the lines of following historic examples than his own designs, because he caters largely to those who specialize in historically informed performance.

[chas]

Well, I'm a total fan of Noy myself, but the OP asked for top-end sticks at lower prices, so I didn't say anything. Noy runs high. You know the saying: "You wand it good, fast, and cheap? Pick two." Noy's good, and he's fast, and that plus the quality of his work and materials is where a lot of the cost comes in. Still and all, if you're in a hurry and have the funds, I'd otherwise wholeheartedly recommend him. It should be pointed out that he works more along the lines of following historic examples than his own designs, because he caters largely to those who specialize in historically informed performance.

My two Noy flutes took 18 and 24 months (he was spot on with delivery time for both).

I love his small-holed Irish flute. It has a really flexible sound and is fully chromatic with one key.

[Adrian W.]

You could add Hamilton and Windward to that list, no?