Rod Cameron 8-Key R&R

Irish Flute
1

I recently had the opportunity to play a Cameron R&R 8-key. it was one of the best flutes I’ve ever played/heard. It had loads of harmonics and a very complex sweet tone. It was able to be heard in a session too (i.e. now prob hearing it among a few pipers +). I wanted to hear from other Cameron owners/samplers and share their experiences with the 8 key or keyless R&R who play Irish music (or other). The price for the keyless is $1500 and keyed $5500. the latter isn’t surprising-the keys were astounding. Really artistic AND WORKED very efficiently. Anyhow…looking forward to the responses… :party:

2

I think Rod Cameron is the best flute maker in the galaxy [note: there are several great flute makers out there, and i don’t mean them any disrespect]. I have a C.A. Grenser Baroque flute from him which i love dearly. His keyless flutes have a very good price. His keyed stuff is more expensive. I think he doesn’t like making keys. :smiley:

3

is that a keyed instrument?

4

Yes, one key (D#). Imagine something like this, but in blackwood:

(this picture is of a Mollenhauer Grenser)

or see not-so-good pictures of the actual flute here (click).

5

I’m selling a large-hole design Rod Cameron re-worked blackwood flute. The flute is about three years old and is in perfect condition with no splits, no cracks, no dings. It is perfectly in tune and plays easily, clearly and with plenty of volume. It holds its own well in loud sessions. The flute has lovely brass rings and tuning slide. Rod re-bores and retunes the flute to get the tuning spot-on.
I’m selling it for US $475, postage and roll-up case included. Three day trial period is fine with me and I will refund if flute is not to your liking and is returned in timely fashion. Shipping will be at your expense. I will be happy to send more pictures. Thanks.

SOLD –

6

My D flute is a Pratten made by John Gallagher who apprenticed with Rod for just under 10 years before making flutes on his own. John still does a fair bit of corpus work for Rod if I’m not mistaken.

If John’s skills are at all indicative of having had Rod as a teacher, then I’m sure those from Rod’s own hands are superb instruments indeed, although I haven’t seen one myself. I’d love to though, just to compare it to mine.

You sure don’t see Cameron’s come up for sale often, if ever - easily one of the more ‘elusive’ makers. I think this is partly because he splits his time between Scotland and Medocino, CA (where his main shop is located). He tours regularly with Chris Norman as well. I think these other activities keep his production on a small scale

However, I think he is known more for his baroque flutes as well, so the number of Irish muscians who have played his handywork might be comparatively small to other makers more widely know in Irish circles.

Cheers,

  • Ryan
7

Does anybody have pictures of keyed Cameron flutes?

8

I don’t, but email him, his address is rcameron at mcn dot org. Or put a request in the EARLYFLUTE Yahoo forum, i’m sure there are a few people there with keyed Cameron rods.

9

OK, i remembered i had this grainy picture of some guy playing a Rod Cameron copy of an early 10-keyed Rudall&Rose flute. The original was in boxwood, but the copy is in blackwood. Click on picture to see it full size.

10

Courtesy of Google: Philippe Allain–Dupré playing a RR copy by Rod Cameron:

11

… Mr. Cameron sometimes does the key work for Mr. Olwell.

This is a rumour I have heard from multiple sources. But then, what does it matter – a great flute is a great flute.

12

Mr. Cameron does not do keywork for Mr. Olwell.

13

Thanks Glauber

14

You’re welcome. I’m sorry the pictures don’t show the flutes so well. I think i have a picture of a bunch of Cameron flutes, but they’re mostly Baroque and Renaissance, and the picture’s not that good either.

…

Found it! Click on picture to see larger version.

Yep, mostly Baroque and Renaissance flutes here; one keyless Rudall, can you spot it? :slight_smile: Those were the ones he was working on when he came to the Boxwood winter weekend in 2003.

Your best bet to see some pictures of Rudalls would be to email Rod or the Earlyflute group that i mentioned before.

15

I think those are, from top to bottom (just the complete flutes, there are some pieces and “corps” too):

  1. CA Grenser (baroque) in ebony
  2. ??? Maybe a Renaissance flute of some kind? Schrattenbach, maybe.
  3. Bressan (Baroque) in stained boxwood – lovely flute!
  4. Another Bressan in stained boxwood
  5. Hotteterre (Baroque) in ebony
  6. Renaissance tenor flute (what wood?), probably a Bassano.
  7. CA Grenser (Baroque) in stained boxwood
  8. ??? same as the second flute from the top, in different wood
  9. Another Renaissance tenor flute
  10. Keyless Rudall in blackwood (looks like)
  11. Another Grenser in ebony

Those Bressan flutes are really something. They play with an enormous sound, with the slightest effort. I didn’t buy one because they’re not made in modern pitch (440), only in 415 and 390.