I am looking for a keyless Delrin flute, something I can travel with and leave assembled around the house. I would be looking for a larger holed Rudall or a Pratten. My main flute is a keyed LeHart.
I was thinking about either a Somers, Paddy Ward Delrin, or Forbes, and was wondering if folks here might have an opinion. I have played a Somers that was outstanding, a few that were not as great. Never played a Ward delrin but it sure sounds good on the Irish Flute Store sight. I played an older Forbes that was pretty nice, and I hear the newer ones are better.
Not the makers you are asking about and I’m very very very far from an expert, but for what it’s worth:
I have two delrin or delrin-like flutes, a Walt Sweet “shannon” and an M&E. “Delrin” is a generic name for DuPont’s specific polymer: it comes in different grades and densities: The Shannon is much lighter and the material feels a bit softer.
Both are capable of making very nice music in the hands of a better player than me. The Shannon is a simple and clever two piece tunable design. It’s extremely easy to play and gets a big sound with little trouble. The M&E looks more traditional and has a tuning slide and steel rings. It’s a bit harder to play but has more of what I think of as the “Irish Flute” sound, although that’s subjective. The M&E came coated with some kind of glossy black finish which very quickly started chipping and wearing off. I removed it all with acetone and now it has a nice semi-gloss look. I find myself playing the M&E more, even though it’s harder to play.
I think either one would make a fine flute, for not much money
He does indeed, I went to visit him last month. I have 2 of his flutes in blackwood, 1 in Delrin. However, he’s not a prolific maker and is primarily involved lately in restoration work. I think he enjoys the research & sometimes unique problem-solving aspects of working on antique instruments, and returning them to playable condition. He’s certainly acquired substantial skills from what his “patients” have required of him.
I have owned quite a few different Delrin/Polymer flutes over the years: Baubet, Somers, Seery, M&E, Watson, Forbes, Gallagher, and Copley… Perhaps one or two others that I am forgetting.
Without getting into the pros and cons of each of the others, My personal recommendation to people is the Copley because it ticks all the boxes: Very well made, easy to play, excellent tone, plus Dave Copley is easy to deal with - he communicates and delivers in a timely fashion, which not every maker does. Also, for travel, the Copley has the advantage of being shorter and therefore lighter and more compact than most, if not all of the other flutes I’ve mentioned.
John Gallagher and Glenn Watson also make excellent Delrin flutes, but the cost is about 4 times that of a Copley, and it’s debatable as to whether they are any better.
I agree with the above. I recently (January) purchased a used Dave Copley keyless D in Delrin, (3-piece) with faux ivory rings, corked tenons and soft flute roll. Beautiful fit and finish, and a marvelous voice.
Thanks for the suggestions folks. Copley is definitely on my list for a C flute. We had a few C sessions at the recent Roche Harbor Irish Music retreat and I think there were no less than 5 Copleys. For this keyless D I want something with a tuning slide, and for a Copley that probably puts me closer to $1000. I was hoping to spend closer to $500, so I will probably look at Somers or one of the other options in that price range.
Thanks for the heads up on that Jim. Is this some sort of internal tuning slide? I assumed it was a long headjoint and a regular tenon, at least it looks that way in the photo on his site.
The end of the flute body is reduced to a long-enough cylinder that fits into the headjoint. It’s simple and it definitely works well. I play flutes with metal tuning slides in sessions and often use the delrin slide too, which works as well, as far as I can tell. These are good session-flutes.
Just to note, for those who haven’t noticed, that Dave sells a six-keyed
version of his bottom of the line delrin flute, with an all-delrin tuning slide
and no rings, for 1900 dollars. It’s tempting. His craftsmanship is impeccable, IMO.
I think that Rob Forbes’ flutes are a kind of ‘gold standard’ for delrin flutes with a Pratten sound. The workmanship is superb and the intonation is excellent. I’ve played Copleys and Forbes and listened to others on YT. I hesitate to say that a Forbes is better than a Copley b/c they have different types of sound, but for a full-bodied Pratten type session flute, I think the Forbes is the better.
You should try a Baubet delrin. I own a 6 keys, block mounted, 5 parts w slide. Excellent response and price, much better than previously mentioned options. Just to put everything in perspective, I must say that I already play an 8 keyed Watson, the best flute I have ever played.
PD: I´m selling a keyless Seery D flute in delrin, Pratten style
Yes, opinions do vary on this—and Loren and I have agreeably disagreed on this in the past. I have a Baubet that was a keeper after going through most of the other “top name” delrins. As with Loren, only one opinion to put into the mix.
I will be sadly selling my Paddy Ward Pratten-style delrin, but it won’t be for a few months. Because of some tendon issues I’m having, I need one made with some accommodations, and Dave Copely will be doing that for me. So once that comes in (ETA May) and I know it’s working for me, the Ward will be available.
Might be too far off for you, but let me know if you’re interested.
