Who makes a Pratten style Delrin?

eedbjp · Post by **eedbjp** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 7:03 am

Does Seery still make them? I think Forbes, Copley, and are there more?

tomcat · Post by **tomcat** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:09 am

Check out Garry Somers

http://www.somers-flutes.com/pratten-delrin-slide

MeMyselfandI · Post by **MeMyselfandI** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:54 am

eedbjp wrote:I think Forbes, Copley

I'm pretty sure Copley does not make a Pratten. I don't remember exactly what he makes, I think it had Hawkes in the name somewhere, but I'm fairly positive he does not make a Pratten. Although, if you special order it, he might craft one for you. Forbes, Somers, and Seery do make Pratten flutes, but I don't think Seery is still making. I do believe that Jon Cornia made Cochran delrin Pratten flutes (Rudall style as well), but I've heard mixed on whether or not he's still making either. I can't think of any other Pratten flute makers that actively use delrin.

kmag · Post by **kmag** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:59 am

John Gallagher makes a Pratten delrin.

Peter Duggan · Post by **Peter Duggan** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:02 am

MeMyselfandI wrote:I'm pretty sure Copley does not make a Pratten. I don't remember exactly what he makes, I think it had Hawkes in the name somewhere, but I'm fairly positive he does not make a Pratten.

Copley makes Copleys! It's one of the (many) things I like about them...

copleyflutes.com wrote:Our instruments are tapered bore "simple system" flutes based on originals made in England during the 1800's, with the greatest influence being the flutes made by Hawkes and Son of London. The design has been adapted to give the characteristics sought after by players Irish Traditional Music.

radcliff · Post by **radcliff** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:37 am

and there is a Hammy 2nd hand in delrin just few topics below......

Akiba · Post by **Akiba** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:56 am

Delrin Prattens most readily available and least expensive:

Forbes

Seery (I don't think he's making flutes but has some in stock and you can find them used)

Sommers

Other makers:

McGee (not taking orders at the moment)

Gallagher

Hammy hardly ever works in delrin.

eedbjp · Post by **eedbjp** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:34 am

The Ralph Sweet "Shannon" seems to be getting good reviews. Does it fall into the category of polymer flutes with a strong low d? Also does M and E still only make the smaller bore flute that has been around for a while?

Akiba · Post by **Akiba** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:17 am

eedbjp wrote:The Ralph Sweet "Shannon" seems to be getting good reviews. Does it fall into the category of polymer flutes with a strong low d? Also does M and E still only make the smaller bore flute that has been around for a while?

The M&E is definitely more of the Rudall style. The Shannon is a hybrid but definitely not a Pratten style.

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 2:58 pm

The Shannon, by Walt Sweet BTW, definitely has a honking low D. It's his own design, but leans more towards the Pratten-ish side than the the Rudall-ish side. It is not a quiet flute by an means (in a good way). I think Walt is seriously undercharging for this flute...best bang for the buck out there IMHO.

The M&E is Rudall based, but the bore is much larger than his old style model. I find the low D quite strong if you know how to hit it.

Eric

csoroz · Post by **csoroz** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:44 am

How about these Polymer M&E flutes? http://www.irishflutes.net/mef/Product_Descriptions.htm

Are they really that good?
https://listserv.heanet.ie/cgi-bin/wa?A ... t=us-ascii
http://scientopia.org/blogs/goodmath/20 ... f-plastic/

monkeymonk · Post by **monkeymonk** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:00 am

I cannot speak highly enough for Forbes Flutes.
They are:
Easy to play (maybe has something to do with the squared off embouchure).
Lovely tone
fantastically in tune
loud when you want it
the body is somehow thinner than a Hamilton or an Olwell and that makes it easy to hold.
the integral delrin slide keeps the weight on the head joint to a minimm.

I did a ton of research before choosing a delrin flute. I picked the forbes for all the above reasons and i wasn't disapointed.

I have never played an M&E delrin but i have an M&E ebonite keyless. It's a beautiful sounding flute with a nice growly low D but it will never be as loud as my Forbes or my Hamilton. It's also a heavy flute.

Feadoggie · Post by **Feadoggie** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:39 am

csoroz wrote:How about these Polymer M&E flutes?

monkeymonk wrote:I have never played an M&E delrin but i have an M&E ebonite keyless. It's a beautiful sounding flute with a nice growly low D but it will never be as loud as my Forbes or my Hamilton. It's also a heavy flute.

Two things. M&E does not make a delrin flute. Michael works with ABS(I think?) and ebonite but not delrin or acetal.

I have three M&E polymer flutes. Two originals - one keyless and one keyed. The third is the Rudall model. They are decent flutes for the money. But they are not what the OP is looking for.

But they are neither a Prattens design and they are not delrin.

I'd go Forbes, Gallagher or Seery if looking for the Pratten type flute.

Feadoggie

MeMyselfandI · Post by **MeMyselfandI** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:06 am

monkeymonk wrote:I cannot speak highly enough for Forbes Flutes.The body is somehow thinner than a Hamilton or an Olwell and that makes it easy to hold.

You are very correct about that. Both Forbes and Somers make thin-walled flutes. That by nature makes them a little... not sure how to put it... maybe "buzzier"? Most of the time there is a bit more air sound in thinner walled flutes than thicker. But never the less, Forbes' are phenomenal flutes. I borrowed one from another flute player at the local session, played it through the whole session, and loved it. If it wasn't for the fact that Forbes cost $100 more than Copleys, I probably would've gone with Forbes!

monkeymonk wrote:It's also a heavy flute.

I find nothing to be wrong with heavy flutes. My Copley is rather heavy, but I find that weight to be in a way satisfying. Even if it means my shoulder hurts a bit after a long session. I think it's a good sacrifice. Plus, thicker walls seem to give it a slightly more full and rich tone than thinner walls. But a good maker can get around that (Forbes for example). As I mentioned earlier, I prefer a slightly heavy flute partly because it seems to send that psychological message that says I have something truly awesome in my hands. I find thin-walled flutes don't have that as much, especially PVC flutes. It's really just a question of preference though. Either way, I agree strongly; Forbes flutes are whoppers!

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:27 am

MeMyselfandI wrote: I find nothing to be wrong with heavy flutes. My Copley is rather heavy, but I find that weight to be in a way satisfying. Even if it means my shoulder hurts a bit after a long session.

If the difference in weight between a wooden flute and a delrin flute makes your shoulder hurt, it's probably time to hit the gym

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