WTB: 6-8 key Firth Hall an Pond flute from 19th C damaged OK

[demon_piper]

I am looking for a late model FHP flute, with 6-8 keys, the flute may be damaged, the headjoint and barrel of the flute may be missing or utterly destroyed, The body must be straight and the toneholes intact, I will consider flutes missing some keys. however I require all body sections,

If you have such a flute please drop me a line, with a price etc.

I am not looking for really old ones, I am looking for something I can restore. Hence, no ivory etc. preferably just metal and wood.

Thanks

demon_piper

[Tjones]

Demon_piper,
You might get a hold of the people at vintage Instruments. They have three listed for sale on their web page: http://www.vintage-instruments.com/navigate/catidx4.htm One has been restored by Patrick Orwell.

Tjones

[Jon_C]

@demon_piper

I am looking for a late model FHP flute, with 6-8 keys, the flute may be damaged, the headjoint and barrel of the flute may be missing or utterly destroyed, The body must be straight and the toneholes intact, I will consider flutes missing some keys. however I require all body sections,

If you have such a flute please drop me a line, with a price etc.

I am not looking for really old ones, I am looking for something I can restore. Hence, no ivory etc. preferably just metal and wood.

Thanks

demon_piper

Too bad you missed this one on Ebay… Pardon Our Interruption...
I got it…

[demon_piper]

I checked it out, but that’s a pretty early flute would it still be like Grey’s?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

[Jon_C]

@demon_piper

I checked it out, but that’s a pretty early flute would it still be like Grey’s?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Should be better…

[Jack_Bradshaw]

jon_sparky strikes again !

[Jon_C]

@Jack Bradshaw

jon_sparky strikes again !

I need to sign up at the Antique Flute Acquistion Anonomous or AFAA!

[Jack_Bradshaw]

As a charter member (firewood speciality section… ) I’ll be glad to sponsor you !

[michael_coleman]

And I need to visit Jon very soon since he has quite a few antique flutes now. Jon, you should email me so we can get together.

[Jon_C]

@michael_coleman

And I need to visit Jon very soon since he has quite a few antique flutes now. Jon, you should email me so we can get together.

Sounds good, come on by!
Jon

[demon_piper]

I was actually going to buy that one, but you beat me ! Oh well, there should be some more of those around. So John would an1830’s flute of the same make restored by olwell be as good in terms of sound and response?

Thanks

[Jon_C]

@demon_piper

I was actually going to buy that one, but you beat me ! Oh well, there should be some more of those around. So John would an1830’s flute of the same make restored by olwell be as good in terms of sound and response?

Thanks

Hi,
Oh well, I guess I was just quicker…
I coudn’t say how the restored flute by Olwell would be. But I can say that the D’Almaine that Olwell restored was very exceptional, I think he tweaked it some. Todd will testify to that as he owns it now.
If Olwell still has it, maybe they can play it over the phone for you.
Good luck!
Jon

[Jon_C]

The seller just informed me that the bid item was miss named, it is actually Firth, Hall and Pond. He wanted to know if I wanted a refund…
I informed him that Hall contributed to the company and did not take away from the flutes value…

[toddyboy50]

Amen to Olwell’s restoration of the d’almaine, sounds wonderful… Jon, you need to do something about all those flutes you’re accumulating… I’ll help you out - did the ebay seller also let you know this one was actually made by Monty Hall, the game show host?

Tod

[Jon_C]

@toddyboy50

Amen to Olwell’s restoration of the d’almaine, sounds wonderful… Jon, you need to do something about all those flutes you’re accumulating… I’ll help you out - did the ebay seller also let you know this one was actually made by Monty Hall, the game show host?

Tod

Or maybe it was just made in the “Hall” of the Firth and Pond shop…

I will have to bring a load of antique flutes over to your house for you…
They are piling up everywhere!

[AaronMalcomb]

Let’s no forget that Grey has an Abell headjoint.

From the McGee-Larsen Collaboration:

The original Firth, Pond & Co head and barrel were fully lined with the metal tubes forming the tuning slide, and like most such old flutes have cracked in both sections. Grey now plays the flute with a partially-lined blackwood head and barrel built by American maker Chris Abell. Although of quite different appearance, the head largely follows the original dimensions in matters that count. Probably the only really different factors are a “cutaway” leading away from the “edge” and the fact of the partial lining.

Terry’s conclusion is that the headjoints are of similar dimensions so perhaps the new headjoint doesn’t create a large difference in tone.

[Jon_C]

@AaronMalcomb

Let’s no forget that Grey has an Abell headjoint.

From the McGee-Larsen Collaboration:

The original Firth, Pond & Co head and barrel were fully lined with the metal tubes forming the tuning slide, and like most such old flutes have cracked in both sections. Grey now plays the flute with a partially-lined blackwood head and barrel built by American maker Chris Abell. Although of quite different appearance, the head largely follows the original dimensions in matters that count. Probably the only really different factors are a “cutaway” leading away from the “edge” and the fact of the partial lining.

Terry’s conclusion is that the headjoints are of similar dimensions so perhaps the new headjoint doesn’t create a large difference in tone.

I played Grey’s flute, it is quite nice. I am sure the new headjoint helps. The head joint on the flute I bought is crack free, and the Emb. hole looks to be in good condition. I will see how it sounds, it wouldn’t be a problem to crank out a new head joint if need be.

[demon_piper]

So, I take this to mean no one has such a flute? hey John would it be possible to get an 1850’s FHP into tune?

Thanks

[Jon_C]

@demon_piper

So, I take this to mean no one has such a flute? hey John would it be possible to get an 1850’s FHP into tune?

Thanks

It depends how “in tune” you want it. I don’t really know how the tuning would be. If it is A=460 htz already, then you will have a problem with the tuning slide not being long enough, the flat foot syndrome and the usual tuning problems with conical flutes: flat F#, flat C#, possibley sharp A…

[Jon_C]

@Jon C.

@demon_piper

So, I take this to mean no one has such a flute? hey John would it be possible to get an 1850’s FHP into tune?

Thanks

It depends how “in tune” you want it. I don’t really know how the tuning would be. If it is A=460 htz already, then you will have a problem with the tuning slide not being long enough, the flat foot syndrome and the usual tuning problems with conical flutes: flat F#, flat C#, possibley sharp A…

On first inspection of the Firth, Hall and Pond tuning (just came in this afternoon!) The tuning is very good. Still the flat foot but it seems to be tuned for about 435 htz. The A is a little sharp compared to B but only about 20 cents. Very promising flute. The flute was totally mis-represented, they didn’t mention the crack in the head and foot besides the one they did mention in the barrel. Not a problem though, just more of a fun repair…