FS: David Williams 5 Key Pratten Irish Flute -- SOLD ($1600)

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:37 am

For sale: my Pratten David Williams 5 Key Irish Flute. David Williams was a master pipe and flute maker, from England. I bought this flute in 1998 for $1850 from "Lark in the Morning". It has been well taken care of and has lived in a gentle climate (Santa Barbara). I had it fully overhauled and new leather pads put on in 2004 -- it is in better condition than when I bought it.

I took off the cork tennons when I first got the flute and replaced them with red waxed thread, which seals much better and doesn't continually swell in this somewhat humid climate. When I had the flute overhauled, I was told to leave the thread on and not put cork back.

The keys and rings are silver and show some discoloration with aging. Each flute piece is stamped "Williams."

I am selling this flute because I own an Olwell keyless Pratten flute and I just bought a Stephane Morvan Rudall 6 key (thanks Sylvain!). I suffer from "flute acquisition syndrome" and it's time to sell one of them.

This flute is not from one of the top makers on the planet, but Williams was a strong second. Unfortunately, David Williams died in a car crash in 2004, so these flutes are no longer available adding to their value.

It is a perfect flute to own while waiting seven years for your dream flute. It has seen years of fun at sessions and in performance and now needs a new home.

It is being sold through e-bay, auction 250060578667

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:48 am

i got to play it and it's a great flute, Eliot is a great player, and 100% honest guy.
eilam.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:53 am

I see he juggles too, so he must be okay

Loren

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:59 am

Doesn't Niall Keegan play a Williams?

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:32 am

he's great guitar player as well.

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:33 am

it's Eliot's day today !!!

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:50 pm

Eilam,

Thanks for your nice posts!

I obviously have spent far too much time practicing instead of normal things people do, like fishing, taking showers, or going out to dinner with the spouse.

--Eliot

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:27 pm

So, Eliot, 5 or 6-key, which is it? The description on eBay says 6. Looks like 5 to me, no C.

Kevin Krell

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:33 pm

Hi Kevin,

I thought I fixed that typo on Ebay! At any rate it is fixed now. 5 keys. You can count on that!

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:57 pm

on my site, the bio' page tune #5 is a sample of the David Williams 5 Key flute and Eliot playing it.
Eliot was just teaching my son the tune, and it does not fully reflect his playing, even though i find that clip great.
Eliot, i'll take it off if you're not happy with it.
eilam.

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:11 pm

Eilam,

If you could just have had Sylvain Barou stand in for me just this once

It's fine -- thanks for the link and post. I'm going to put in a hard link to the .mov file (warning -- big file):

http://www.eilambyle.com/Video/Eliot&Edaan3.MOV

The real talent here is your son!

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:21 pm

cool.
thanks, e.

Chase Minty · Post by **Chase Minty** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:27 pm

Is the head lined or unlined?

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:35 pm

This head is lined ... by which I mean there is a metal sleeve inside of it.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:46 pm

I played a williams keyed rudall once--lovely flute.

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