Hello,
I have on sell this flute on behalf of a close friend of mine.
Videos on the ebay page too.
http://www.ebay.it/itm/Tom-Aebi-wooden-Flute-cocus-8-silver-keys-irish/122927788936
Discount for direct transaction:
Unusual direction of the springs on the long F & upper C keys.
From the video listed on the ebay ad. Really lovely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hcqfFx2hX4
I just checked the other video listed on the eBay ad, specifically Arianna’s Tower composed by Gian Marco Pietrasanta,
and played by him on the video. It looks like this is his flute that is for sale?
Anyhow, I wouldn’t normally reply to a FS posting unless I was interested in buying, but I thought this observation might be of interest to others, given that Gian Marco has contributed
some really nice tunes and arrangements, at least according to information I have read on thesession.org.
What I find fascinating is how this flute imitates/matches 19th century flutes. If I came across it randomly, I might not guess it was made recently.
This listing made me go look up Tom Aebi.
Here is a 2004 interview with Tom: http://www.irishfluteguide.info/interview-with-tom-aebi/
@ Jonathan,
Yes, it is from Gian Marco. We met over 20 years ago and he asked me to give a good clean up, fixing and sell it.
meanwhile I got a good offer from ebay (no final fees) so that’s why it is already on sell.
; )
How do the bottom keys work?
The C# and C keys are activated by the right hand little finger pressing one of the touches (“hockey stick” key shafts) which then causes the C# or C pewter plug to lift up from the strike plate by way of the articulated mechanism.
I would hope that Jim already knows that those lower keys are the only ones on the flute in the normally open position. Your description is inaccurate (reversed), as pressing the keys causes the C# or C pewter plugs to close against/into the strike plate.
I suspect his real question might have been “How well do the bottom keys work?” [italics mine]
I go with K’s reading of my question. I’ve played a number of eight-keyed flutes,
including a Grinter. Given the people involved with this Aebi I wager that all
is well. Just want to know. Thanks.
Yes I took Jim’s question literally, thought it a little odd, but there are people that have not experienced an eight key simple system flute. Excuse me having the pewter plugs going in the wrong direction. Should read:
The C# and C keys are activated by the right hand little finger pressing one of the touches (“hockey stick” key shafts) which then causes the C# or C pewter plug to move down onto the strike plate by way of the articulated mechanism.
No harm done I hope.
‘The C# and C keys are activated by the right hand little finger pressing one of the touches (“hockey stick” key shafts) which then causes the C# or C pewter plug to move down onto the strike plate by way of the articulated mechanism.’ That’s beautiful!
Curious also about the flute’s weight in the player’s
hands. I’ve played some eight keyed flutes that were
pretty heavy, e.g. the Grinter has silver channels in the blocks,
which adds up. Similarly I played a small-holed Gallagher
eight-key, a swell flute but also pretty heavy.
Other eight-keyed flutes are reasonably light. Any idea where
the Aebi fits in? Thanks.
The flute is still for sale.
Ebay got trouble with my paypal disclamer
(silly that they keep on asking for to get more money 
).
Will be posted again on ebay within the next ebay offer.
New link, new Pictures.
The flute will be overhaul soon (and we’ll get new pictures after that)!