Opinion on blackwood keyless makers for $1000 USD or less...

[olives]

I'm looking for advice on the best blackwood keyless I can buy for $1,000 US or less. I'm strongly considering Dave Copley, Paddy Ward, and Martin Doyle, but am looking for any other suggestions anyone might have.

[peeplj]

Hammy Hamilton--a blackwood keyless comes in at about $900 U.S. right now.

--James

[pixyy]

Eamonn Cotter,
probably at around the same price.

[dholly]

I am quite biased in favor of the Copley, with an equal to, or strong seconding of a Hamilton. I've had quite a few flutes come and go but am now settled in nicely for the long haul of this flute playing adventure with these two flutes. Very different flutes mind you, but a couple of the best of the R&R and Pratten style instruments being made today. Either one is an outstanding flute and the price is right! You also would not go wrong with an investment in one of these because the price is going to only go up, and you could sell it down the road easily if you wanted to. You wouldn't sell though

[eilam]

Murray

[Unseen122]

Depends on what you are looking for. I would suggest a Casey Burns, I absolutly love my new Pratten, I hear his Rudalls (medium holed) are great too. I would also put in a positive word for a Bleazey if you want a small holed Flute with a short wait.

[tin tin]

I am quite biased in favor of the Copley, with an equal to, or strong seconding of a Hamilton. I've had quite a few flutes come and go but am now settled in nicely for the long haul of this flute playing adventure with these two flutes. Very different flutes mind you, but a couple of the best of the R&R and Pratten style instruments being made today.

Agreed, both makers make good flutes, but Copley flutes aren't Rudall and Rose style flutes.

[jim stone]

You might wish to consider whether you want an all wood flute (which
will have no slide)
or one with a metal lined head; whether you want a Rudall-style
flute or a Pratten-style flute or a hybrid (Dave C's are hybrids).

In which venues do you wish to play?

I think Seth Gallaghers keyless flutes are about 1000,
just checked his site earlier.

[Congratulations]

If I had $1000, I'd get a Hamilton. I've done a lot of research recently, and these seem to be my kind of flute.

[Unseen122]

Dave C's are hybrids.

Actually it is copied from a medium holed Hawkes Flute, it is on the smaller side, closer to a Rudall.

[I.D.10-t]

You might wish to consider whether you want an all wood flute (which
will have no slide)
or one with a metal lined head; whether you want a Rudall-style
flute or a Pratten-style flute or a hybrid (Dave C's are hybrids).

In which venues do you wish to play?

I think Seth Gallaghers keyless flutes are about 1000,
just checked his site earlier.

Perhaps this is the best advice, while price is a component of a flute, a $1000 flute may not be what you want while a $600 may be what you want (or a $2000 flute). Resale may be a thing to think about if you are still trying out flutes. As for playing, do you want flexibility or power (the two are not always mutually exclusive)?

Take this advice lightly, the fife, not the flute is my main instrument (and I am a novice at that).

[jim stone]

Also how long are you willing to wait?

[Sillydill]

Hey Olives,

You could buy 2 all wood Copleys for that price!



Or, if you preferr, you can get one with a long C foot (4-piece flute) for a little more (~$600).

Best of Luck!

Jordan

[IDAwHOa]

Hey Olives,

You could buy 2 all wood Copleys for that price!
Jordan

Point me in the right direction!!!

[eedbjp]

I'll put a vote for Casey Burns, that's where I wish I had started.