Olwell boxwood: lined or unlined?

chas · Post by **chas** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 3:37 pm

I just had a long chat with Patrick Olwell. I hope to graduate to a bigger-sound flute in the next couple of years, and figure I need to get on the list soon. He makes three styles of headjoints in boxwood: fully lined, partly lined, and unlined. Does anyone have experience with lined vs. unlined boxwood? I'd kind of like a flute that "barks" a little bit, which would indicate the lined head. But I'd like to keep the buttery sound of box, which would indicate unlined. A slide would be nice but not totally essential, so half-lined might be best. Does the lining change the character of the sound or just focus it a bit more?

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:03 pm

Good question. I know a lady who plays a lined Olwell boxwood, and while capable of strong tone, it's quite rich and buttery to my ear. She gets "honk" out of it when she wants it, and that's pretty buttery, too, if that doesn't sound too contradictory. As I recall, Pat has a preference for lined heads on his instruments.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:29 pm

I prefer the unlined boxwood, but if you like a tuning slide, I'd suggest partially lined. Boxwood has a very special sound (and smell).

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:48 pm

Lined, of course!

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:48 pm

Unlined, of course!

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:48 pm

Partially lined!

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:49 pm

On the other hand, my dog is unlined and she barks just fine. So maybe unlined. I think we need a poll!

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:55 pm

Glauber, go to your room.

Blackbeer · Post by **Blackbeer** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Now that Glauber has gone to his room we can talk. I have both fully lined and not lined flutes. The Dixon rosewood is unlined and yet can be made to honk if one is inclined. The Lehart which is fully lined I think is more versital in timber and voice. Not to mention LOUD. My old German 8 key is fully lined and is very hard to honk. Its an Eb and is mostley mellow and pure. But it will buzz if you push it. I like the idea of a tuning slide so I would be more partial to lined heads but I could change my mind in an instant. I guess you would just have to get your hands on any of them and try them out.

Tom

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:35 pm

I'll be getting some headjoints from Peter Noy to compare soon. One will be unlined. The wood will be blackwood, though, so the boxwood perspective can't be addressed, unfortunately; still, maybe a review could shed some light on this if Peter OKs it.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:45 pm

If it were me I'd ask Patrick what he prefers
and take that seriously. Best

Steven · Post by **Steven** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:10 pm

Chris Layer (awesome flute player in NYC) plays an Olwell boxwood flute (6 keys) with a lined head. He gets some fantastic sounds out of it -- pretty much any type he wants. I've gotten my lips on it a couple of times, and I nearly melted from the beautiful sounds that came out of it. Warm, buttery, and gorgeous, but still quite powerful.

Man, that is one nice flute....

Steven

herbivore12 · Post by **herbivore12** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:20 pm

I haen't compared lined and unline boxwood flutes, but have played lined, partially lined, and unlined blackwood flutes. All of them could "bark". I think the primary difference betwen unlined and lined that I noticed --YMMV -- is that the lined heads are maybe slightly brighter, and a little more responsive. Some people claim they're louder, too, but I dunno. The unlined heads had a slightly woodier tone, a bit darker.

My McGee has an unlined head, and I like the sound.

Good luck!

--Aaron

Ben Shaffer · Post by **Ben Shaffer** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 8:14 pm

I've got an unlined Olwell Flute in Boxwood. It's a RR small holed Flute. It is a modest barker. I don't really need to have it bark as I play this Flute for solo stuff, mainly 18th century tunes.
If one were playing alot in Irish sessions, a bigger holed instrument would give you that honking sound, and of course a lined headjoint to tune in a somewhat wider range. It just depends on what your doing. Of course having 2 instruments with these different qualities would be great.
I think alot of people feel they must move up to a big session Flute (RR or Pratton), when what they really need is a small holed RR Flute.
So as I see it....playing ALOT of sessions....get a lined Pratton or bigger holed RR Flute ( big lungs help)
Kitchen Table Player, solo or with a couple other musicians....get a small holed unlined RR Flute ( minimal breath requirments)
and yes only get Boxwood, once you've had it you won't go back!!
also consider having a nitric Acid wash on the boxwood to give it a nice patina!
Ben

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 8:41 pm

Boxwood smells great, as mentioned earlier.