Cotter vs Watson flutes

[Normski]

Could anyone help me in comparing tone/quality between Cotter and Watson keyless D flutes please. I am not in a position to compare them myself. - Thanks

[jim stone]

Here's something, a Cotter Pratten 6 key. Apologies for the misspelling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGyJIf3xz0Y

[radcliff]

my 2cents: Cotter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr1e4I3GoF0

[sligofluter]

Watson of course.

Here you can hear my Watson flute just a few days after I recieved it, now it sounds even better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L4aFqZsueU

[LorenzoFlute]

Watson makes Rudall style flutes (medium bore, large holes), Cotter makes Pratten style flutes (big bore, very large holes).
The Cotter will be louder, a bit easier to sound but requires more air, while the Watson (in my opinion) will have a more interesting sound, a little more difficult to sound and requires less air.
Personally I would choose the Watson (in blackwood rather than mopane) but it's a matter of style and sound preference.

[ChrisLaughlin]

First, why are you only interested in these two? We are fortunate these days to have a big range of fantastic flute makers out there. For information, I own flutes by Patrick Olwell, Michael Grinter, David Copley, and Martin Doyle. All of them are outstanding, and on all of them I sound like myself

I'm not qualified to comment on Cotter vs Watson flutes. That said, if you want a good sense of what they can sound like then I would recommend listening to a range of recordings of them being played (youtube, CDs, etc...), especially by professionals.

There are several videos of Eamonn playing his own flutes on youtube, and on his web-site Glenn has clips of Harry Bradley playing his flutes. Do keep in mind that Eamonn and Harry have very different styles, and that will account for a lot of the tone.

- Chris

[Normski]

I already have a Cotter but would like a "split body" instrument so I could align the top and bottom sections off centre. The Olwells and Grinters you mention have long waiting lists and I'm too old to wait years.

[Juan Pablo Plata]

Watson makes wonderful flutes. And don't be afraid with the typical volume complaints of the different styles of design: my 8k flute in blackwood is considerably louder, if I want, than my Pratten Seery. And richer, lot of different tones and textures. And very easy to blow. I'm really satisfied.

[piobaire mor]

I own two Watson flutes and have owned and played many others from really good makers. The Watsons are always my favourites, I have several friends who own Watson flutes and everyone agrees that you would go far to get a better flute. I couldn't recommend him highly enough, also his waiting times and prices are very reasonable.

[tucson_whistler]

I met Mr. Watson in Galway once; he was really nice and let me try one of his flutes. No complaints; I would buy one. He sounds amazing on his.