And the award for World's Ugliest Flute goes to....

[O_Gaiteiro_do_Chicago]

I'm usually not so opinionated on the looks of flutes but this one just bothered me. It's like the work of a 5 year old on a lathe, got a little to excited but finished it anyways.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Irish-Flute-Ash ... 1c1f1a9e65

[tsackett]

"Hey, boss, I made one too many drones for our DeLuxe Authentic Professional Bagpipe Set."
"No problem, drill some holes in it and we'll sell it as a flute."

[Doug_Tipple]

The price of $498.00 seems a little steep for a flute made from ash wood. I suppose that the emerald ash borers in the wood are included at no extra charge. Then again, Eric McCarty's "Shellawax" finish may make up for the otherwise crappy design. Some of his customers like his flutes, it seems from the reviews that Eric includes on his description page. I like the review that says, "Great stuff". I'm waiting to see Jem's review of the McCarty flute that is on tour and has made it to Wales.

[benhall.1]

That does indeed look staggeringly horrible. I presume it actually is made out of a pre-existing table leg, isn't it?

[MTGuru]

I guess I'm the only one who likes it. Seriously, I do. If it plays well and is balanced in the hands, it would make a very interesting conversation piece.

Is there any precedent for this look, or is it completely sui generis, do you think?

[voggy_dog]

The new "lathe-crazy" design is likely an attempt to make his flutes look less like the Pakistani models everyone keeps mistaking(?) them for.

[s1m0n]

Is there any precedent for this look, or is it completely sui generis, do you think?

Sharkbite plumbing fiittings, for one.

[LorenzoFlute]

I don't dislike it... I think some of Skip Healy's flutes are much uglier.

[crookedtune]

I don't think it's really ash.....but it could made so.

[kkrell]

I don't think it's really ash.....but it could made so.

Turn, baby, turn!

[david_h]

The Camac flutes that Hobgoblin (I think) sold in the early eighties looked more like bapipe or plumbing parts than that.

[I.D.10-t]

The thing I find odd is the way it seems to swell to meet the rings. Might make for a thinner body, but the chimney of the embouchure would be shallow. If it was made from a "rosewood" I'd wonder if it was whittled from a fatter flute.

[Nanohedron]

Is there any precedent for this look, or is it completely sui generis, do you think?

The first thing that struck me was how it brought to mind some kind of bagpipe drone, especially from the headjoint to barrel area. Indeed, to me it also firmly recalls drones in the way the slide is pulled out well more than would be normal for presentation by someone knowledgeable of usual flute standards. A GHB drone is the only precedent I can think of in terms of looks and probably inspiration, because among flutes themselves I've never seen the like.

Drone-esque = bagpipe = guys in kilts = Seltic = "Irish". I think there's room to argue that that's the equation in the maker's design, or at least the seller's marketing angle.

[david_h]

It does seem like the Camac was a previous contender for the award: viewtopic.php?p=71596#p71596 - the post that starts aargh !
(I was looking for a photo, but no luck)

[Cathy Wilde]

Groooooovy, baby!