i’m italian, and i’m a bohem flute player, but i want to buy a keyless polymer flute, and my choice is fallen on irish flutes.
I’ve a budget of 200 euros, but maybe i can arrive to 300. I saw and listen the 3pieces dixon and it’s not bad, but i read that the m&e flutes are better but also more expensive (the dixon costs 200 euros, the m&e 280). Which do you suggest me?
Have you a third way?
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/flutes-made-of-delrin/81536/1
http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ff.php
hi, i am from croatia and i have 4 keyed m&e flute wich i intend to sell for 450 euros… i know that this price is above your limmit but you could send to me pm to try to arrange something…keys are bflat, fshort, eflat and g sharp… i paid 400 euros only to retrofit keys …
regards, marin
I have a keyless M&E in polymer and a Hamilton in Delrin. I love both flutes and I will not sell any, if that may give you an idea of my appreciation of the M&E.
The RR M&E is my workhorse. It’s the one I take to my sessions and is clearly the easier to play, as I have small hands. The Hamilton is a Pratten and plays louder and with a crisper sound, but it’s harder for me to fill it.
I’ve heard not so good reports on the Dixon, and I never heard anyone complaining about the M&E but, as the old acronym goes, YMMV
At $ 275 US, Walt Sweet’s new Shannon model should be part of any mix for consideration. I got to try one at the recent New England Folk Festival. Nice workmanship, very nice sound. Not fancy—no rings or metal tuning slide, but a nice playing, inexpensive option.
Best wishes.
Steve
M&E
Tipple 
If you can stretch to 300 euros, you’d be able to get a Copley delrin which is a very good flute.
I’ve got one (previously I had a dixon 3pc) and I’m very happy with it. I think a poll on this board would have most people putting the copley above M&E polymers.
The copleys are cheaper without rings, currently $360, which I believe comes out around 272 euros?
I love my Tipples. For about $100, more or less, they can’t be beat.
I have an M&E in ebonite that I think is a very good, easy-to-play flute. I believe it is almost identical to the M&E delrin model. It has a very nice tone, and seems to be a faithful copy of an old Rudall.
I tried a cylindrical-bore Dixon in a shop last week, and found it quite difficult to play.
-Tom
I’ve owned both Dixons and M&Es - the M&Es are much better, imho.
Pat
The 3 pc Dixon is conical bore, and a much better instrument than the cylindrical dixon.
It’s actually a decent flute for the price, but I think it’s got smaller holes than most flutes used for Irish music? I’ve not really played it much since i got the Copley, which seems to have a bigger sound.
i vote for M&E (i do love my Delrin Gallagher more, but for the price, the M&E is great).
I have a Forbes Delrin (keyless) and and M&E (8 keyed) Ebonite–love both of them, both are very well made; however, I think that you will find that the M&E may be closer to your price range. If it were me, I would strongly consider the Casey Burns Folk Flute (you did ask for a third suggestion). Casey does not work in polymer, to the best of my knowledge–only in wood. I have a Burns Folk Flute and it is wonderful and within the upper limit of (300.00 Euros) your price range. The workmanship on the Burns Folk Flute is excellent!!! With regard to the Dixon, I wouldn’t own one.
Two more options for competent flutemakers making inexpensive delrin flutes:
Vincenzo Di Mauro, Italian, Galway:
http://vdmflutes.free.fr/Italie/AccueilITA.html
Francois Baubet, French (Breton, actually), Ennis:
http://francoisbaubet.com/
That’s right, Vincenzo’s flutes are very impressive, good strong sound.
François Baubet now lives in Co. Galway, not Ennis.
His flutes are lovely but I doubt that you’d be able to buy one for less than €400 (€530).
Another vote for M&E.
many thanks for the answers, i think i will buy the m&e in polymer, with 280 euros i can buy it, and it seams very like
I had a Dixon conical flute about 10 years ago, and I didn’t think it was bad at all. Packs up nice and small for backpacking and such being 3 piece with a short foot.
That said, I really like my ebonite M&E. His website still shows he’s making them in ebonite: http://www.irishflutes.co.uk/Order.html
I’d buy the M&E hands down, myself, if I were considering the two.
Eric