Head joint comparison
- ImNotIrish
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Head joint comparison
Hi all. I uploaded two versions of the Hills Of Clare using my Firth, Pond & Co. flute. One version using the Jon C. hj, the other using the Abel hj. Any thoughts on tone, etc. appreciated. Thanks in advance. In the posting clips sticky.
Arbo
Arbo
- tucson_whistler
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Re: Head joint comparison
the John C hj sounds a little bit more pure to me, the Abel a bit darker (more undertones). not sure which you prefer.
are they both fully lined? same wood?
cheers,
eric
are they both fully lined? same wood?
cheers,
eric
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- ImNotIrish
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Re: Head joint comparison
The JonC. is lined, the Abel partially lined.tucson_whistler wrote:the John C hj sounds a little bit more pure to me, the Abel a bit darker (more undertones). not sure which you prefer.
are they both fully lined? same wood?
cheers,
eric
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Re: Head joint comparison
interesting. i usually seem to prefer the lined hjs, but here i think i'd go for the Abel
no slight to John C; i love his stuff too
cheers,
e
no slight to John C; i love his stuff too
cheers,
e
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- benhall.1
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Re: Head joint comparison
I much prefer the Jon C hj personally [edited to add: as they sound to me in those two clips]. I agree that it's purer, but it also has more 'ring' to it. To my ear, there's a funny sort of harsh quality to the Abel hj which I'm not keen on, whereas the Jon C has a nice tone, pure, ringy, but still with enough reediness for interest.
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Re: Head joint comparison
I prefer the clip you have indicated is the Jon C. headjoint. The consistency and sweetness of tone over the range seems to be more suited to playing an air such as this. YMMV for other types of tunes.
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Re: Head joint comparison
I liked the Abel more. The texture of the tone was more pleasing. The Jon C. was a bit harsh for my taste, especially for a slow air, but please understand I am nitpicking.
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Re: Head joint comparison
I like the low octave of the Abell, and the high octave of Jon's.
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Re: Head joint comparison
Jon C.
Both are nice but you just seem to be producing a nice solid tone on the JC head. I guess it's what one prefers to hear.
Which head do you have more time on?
Your tone is getting really wonderfully focused and I noticed you are throwing in more finger vibrato. That's good.
Where did you learn this setting? It sounds familiar.
Both are nice but you just seem to be producing a nice solid tone on the JC head. I guess it's what one prefers to hear.
Which head do you have more time on?
Your tone is getting really wonderfully focused and I noticed you are throwing in more finger vibrato. That's good.
Where did you learn this setting? It sounds familiar.
Aanvil
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I am not an expert
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I am not an expert
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Re: Head joint comparison
This was a replacement head for his antique flute, so the original liner was used. It is made from one of the last pieces of cocuswood that matched the original flute very well...tucson_whistler wrote:interesting. i usually seem to prefer the lined hjs, but here i think i'd go for the Abel
no slight to John C; i love his stuff too
cheers,
e
the Abel embouchure has a more modern shape embouchure, which gives a nice clear tone, that is easily played. The embouchure that I cut for his replacement head is more of a traditional round oval, which I think produces a sweeter tone, but is quite a bit more difficult to play. I think it is worth it in the long run, but that is just my two cents worth.
But all in all Arbo, you sound good in both clips, what I hear is Arbo playing in both clips...
Keep up the good work!
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Michael Flatley
Jon
Michael Flatley
Jon
- ImNotIrish
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Re: Head joint comparison
I do have more time in on the Abell hj. I like both of the hjs. I have to admit that Jon C.'s replacement head does take more effort and to be honest, I am still getting use to it. I think I am moving toward its full potential, but I am not there yet! It is interesting to hear the many comments.... just confirms that everyone has a preference for timbre and purity of sound (not to mention playing styles, etc.).Aanvil wrote:Jon C.
Both are nice but you just seem to be producing a nice solid tone on the JC head. I guess it's what one prefers to hear.
Which head do you have more time on?
Your tone is getting really wonderfully focused and I noticed you are throwing in more finger vibrato. That's good.
Where did you learn this setting? It sounds familiar.
Arbo
P.s. Oh, I think I learned this off of one of the flute obsession cds, though that was a while ago, so I have probably turned this tune into my own...
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Re: Head joint comparison
The tune sounded to me like "Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha" ('Tis My Bitter Sorrow), not as played by Eoghan MacAogáin on Wooden Flute Obsession 1. It's from his 2nd CD, "The Clare Hills" (also the name of an air he wrote - not this tune).ImNotIrish wrote:Oh, I think I learned this off of one of the flute obsession cds, though that was a while ago, so I have probably turned this tune into my own...
Fiddler's Companion has Irish lyrics and translation, and an ABC transcription: http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/SEA.htm (2nd tune)
Kevin Krell
Last edited by kkrell on Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:15 am, edited 3 times in total.
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- ImNotIrish
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Re: Head joint comparison
Guess I will have to revisit the cd?kkrell wrote:The tune sounded to me like "Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha", not as played by Eoghan MacAogáin on Wooden Flute Obsession 1. It's from his 2nd CD, "The Clare Hills" (also the name of an air he wrote - not this tune).ImNotIrish wrote:Oh, I think I learned this off of one of the flute obsession cds, though that was a while ago, so I have probably turned this tune into my own...
Kevin Krell
Arbo
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Re: Head joint comparison
The tune is not quite played the same all the way through but if I'm not mistaken the Abell seems a tad brighter, a bit more edge, more harmonics. Do I hear reverb processing? If there was 'presence' then all bets are off.
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Re: Head joint comparison
m31 wrote:The tune is not quite played the same all the way through but if I'm not mistaken the Abell seems a tad brighter, a bit more edge, more harmonics. Do I hear reverb processing? If there was 'presence' then all bets are off.
Yes, there is some reverb. The same setting for both clips. Guess I could easily put the up w/o processing.
Arbo