I have an Irish flute in D that I am thinking of selling, but I don’t know much about it. I’m curious if anyone can enlighten me based on my picture of it, which can be found at
I purchased it in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day, 1998, but unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the store, and the flute has no maker’s stamp. I do know that it is made of blackwood with brass rings, slide and lined headjoint. It plays easily in D and G and has a nice tone. I’ve only played it a few times, and it is in pristine condition with no cracks. Any idea what I should ask for it? I’m also including a Cavellaro flute roll with it.
could you upload a bigger photo showing more detail? Or a few of various parts of the flute in detail? Also it may be good to hear how the flute plays, how in tune it is etc.
The photo suggests it is not a cheap Pakistani import. Maybe made by someone local? More detail in the photo would show the quality of workmanship. Only that can determine the price. And maybe you remember what you paid for it? The value should not have gone down.
Thanks for the replies thus far! As soon as I’m able (hopefully tomorrow) I’ll upload larger photos of the individual joints. Tuning-wise the flute is pretty solid (it’s at its best with the slide pulled out 3/4 of an inch or so), and it has a strong low register and a bright overall tone.
My memory tells me I paid 500 Irish pounds for it, though I no longer have the receipt. I haven’t had much opportunity to play it, and I’m primarily a baroque flutist who has found herself in need of an A=430 flute for gigs, so unfortunatly I need to sell it to finance the new flute
The form of the flute reminds me of Carl Bell’s work. Here’s a link to his web-site: http://www.carlbell.co.uk/
However, the cap on your flute is very distinctive and not typical of any of Carl’s work that I’ve ever seen. I get a sense of deja-vu with your cap, but can’t remember where I’ve seen it.
My appologies, Janelle for a monetary insult. Im not sure of international monies any more than my flutes but if Irish pounds are anywhere near or the same as GBPs at the current rate of exchange you would have paid $1000 USD for this instrument. Obviously my offer could buy nothing more than a nice case to accompany it. Im anxious to see what the community determines to be it`s make and value.
The Irish pound was generally 10% less than the English pound, which hovered around $US 1.50 in the late 90s. So she probably payed the equivalent of $650-$700 for it.
Heavy brass rings, lack of a maker’s mark, and the yellow tenon thread all point to a flute made in Pakistan. The crown is unusual but doesn’t signify very much.
There was a time when these flutes were sold in the range she paid for it.
Aside from Bryan Byrne is there another modern flute-maker who hasn’t marked his flutes? And is Bryan still not marking his flutes?
Bryan does mark his flutes in several places and has since at least 2000.
They’re all pretty hidden, though. The easiest to find is at the top of the tuning slide cover, whereon I’ve seen him put his initials, the year, and the key.
Well, my next step is to actually post a sound clip of the flute, which might be tricky as I’ve never recorded on it before, and I don’t really have the proper equipment… But hey, I’ve got a digital camera that records video/sound and a YouTube account; what more could I possibly need?
The light coloured flute on the Vincent Broderick book is a De Keyser. The Pakistan makerers make one that looks similar but the keyed versions never have a C-natural key , not even the blocks for it and also have a very narrow tenon .
I don’t know who made the Dark flute on the book cover.
Well actually just the cap.