purchasing a flute

Irish Flute
1

I was wondering what kind of flute i should buy that does not require an incredibly large amount of time to get ahold of.

i am looking for something less than about $700 (US) hopefully and dont need any keys as of yet. i am currently borrowing a G. Schultz flute from my teacher but i really need to get one of my own. It may be (incredibly) difficult to personally visit Ireland seeing that i live in America.

It was suggested that i get on the waiting list for a Sam Murray flute but i have not been able to get ahold of him for prices or to check on the wait. I hear that it is nearly 2 years now and that is really too long for me to wait for my first flute (college). I have played his flutes before and love the tone.

If anyone knows anything about Mr. Murray’s waiting list/prices or has another suggestion for something of similar quality i could get in less time i would appriciate it. Also, any information on used flutes ( good quality) would be more than helpful.

thanks
M Bill

2

Hi mBill and welcome to the board!

There are many makers out there with shorter wait times yet with good quality. I’m not sure what Sam Murray’s wait time is or his prices, but you do have other options.

Check out Brad Hurley’s site: http://www.firescribble.net/flute/makers.html

You can spend quite some time looking over all sorts of information on Brad’s site, including the for sale page! Brad’s a boardmember and a nice guy all around despite his spooky avatar…

As you can see from the maker’s list, there is no need to travel to Ireland to buy a flute - all makers will ship, and there are lots of US options, too. Try a search on this board and you’ll get lots of opinions on each makers quality.

Good luck,

Eric

3

For less than $700 and a short wait your best bet for a wooden flute is Casey Burns…nice flutes.

You could also get a decent polymer flute in that price range from Desi Seery or Michael Cronnelley (sp?) of M&E flutes.

You coud watch eBay too. Sometimes there’s a deal over there.

Have fun. :slight_smile:

Doc

4

you may want to check out Eamonn Cotter’s flutes. They come in around $700-$800 depending on the Euro and the wait is only three months or so for a keyless.

5

Have you considered buying a very loud keyless Hamilton flute of the sort which is available a little way south of this thread and which can be posted from Scotland without delay for your delectation and early musical developement ?
It will help you to get rid of those dollar thingies before they become completely worthless.

6

I played the Mopane Casey Burns and thought it was great-Brian

7

Personally, I would second the suggestion of the Hamilton. :smiley:

I know other good options have also been offered.
Let me weigh in on the side of the Ward delrin flute, if you think you want to go non-wood, though. I have one in Eb, and love it! The workmanship is total quality. Mine has silver slide and rings, and sounds wonderful! Check it out at www.wardflutes.com

Mary

8

Another possibility would be a Copley. I have played a Copley and Schultz side-by-side, and the Copley is an easier flute to play, although I prefer the partially lined head of the Schultz. Loren has listed one recently, and I think another has been listed.

The Hammy may play a little more similarly to the Schultz. They’re both big-holed flutes with partially lined heads, although the Hammy will bark somewhat better.

9

Here’s my $.02 for an M&E Rudall & Rose. I’ve had it three weeks and can play a lot of tunes on it - first flute too. ~ $450 shipped and you can get it within 2-3 weeks.

10

I vote for the Hamilton or the Cotter.

(Unless, of course, you can find a used Murray, but I wouldn’t risk the wait on a new one right now.)

cheers!

11

I second the Hammy. Just got one, and am constantly failing to find words to describe the sound I get from it. Besides being extremely loud (and sweet, when needed), it’s also fairly easy to blow - at least when compared to my delrin Seery.

So I think an opportunity to get one without the wait&all should not be missed.

Cheers,

Markus

12

Paddy Ward’s flutes have been well received (haven’t experienced on myself, though), and would be in your price range.

13

Thanks for the suggestions! this has been a great help.

is there any where i can find sound samples of the wooden flutes from above? i havent had much of a chance to try anything besides a Murray and a few Seery flutes. i am really looking at wood though.

14

You can find samples of Copley flutes (which are great flutes with a short wait) at the website. Casey Burns may have some samples on his site…not sure about others.

15

I PM’d you, M Bill.

Cheers,
Aaron

16

You’ll find some good clips on Chiff’s Clips & Snips here:

http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/flute.html

But, come to think of it, probably the better source of recordings with flute identification included on the website are the Wooden Flute Obsession cds, 1&2, that our Chiffer Kevin Krell puts out of various artists.

Here’s the website: http://worldtrad.org/

It’s a great way to hear many different flutes, and how one flute sounds at the hands of different players. Besides, it’s just a great listen. I would suggest buying both. He gives you a discount for the two bought together, and you’re going to want the other, after you hear one!