purchasing a flute

mBill · Post by **mBill** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:46 pm

I was wondering what kind of flute i should buy that does not require an incredibly large amount of time to get ahold of.

i am looking for something less than about $700 (US) hopefully and dont need any keys as of yet. i am currently borrowing a G. Schultz flute from my teacher but i really need to get one of my own. It may be (incredibly) difficult to personally visit Ireland seeing that i live in America.

It was suggested that i get on the waiting list for a Sam Murray flute but i have not been able to get ahold of him for prices or to check on the wait. I hear that it is nearly 2 years now and that is really too long for me to wait for my first flute (college). I have played his flutes before and love the tone.

If anyone knows anything about Mr. Murray's waiting list/prices or has another suggestion for something of similar quality i could get in less time i would appriciate it. Also, any information on used flutes ( good quality) would be more than helpful.

thanks
M Bill

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:53 pm

Hi mBill and welcome to the board!

There are many makers out there with shorter wait times yet with good quality. I'm not sure what Sam Murray's wait time is or his prices, but you do have other options.

Check out Brad Hurley's site: http://www.firescribble.net/flute/makers.html

You can spend quite some time looking over all sorts of information on Brad's site, including the for sale page! Brad's a boardmember and a nice guy all around despite his spooky avatar...

As you can see from the maker's list, there is no need to travel to Ireland to buy a flute - all makers will ship, and there are lots of US options, too. Try a search on this board and you'll get lots of opinions on each makers quality.

Good luck,

Eric

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:06 pm

For less than $700 and a short wait your best bet for a wooden flute is Casey Burns...nice flutes.

You could also get a decent polymer flute in that price range from Desi Seery or Michael Cronnelley (sp?) of M&E flutes.

You coud watch eBay too. Sometimes there's a deal over there.

Have fun.

Doc

BrendanB · Post by **BrendanB** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:04 pm

you may want to check out Eamonn Cotter's flutes. They come in around $700-$800 depending on the Euro and the wait is only three months or so for a keyless.

andrewK · Post by **andrewK** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:23 am

Have you considered buying a very loud keyless Hamilton flute of the sort which is available a little way south of this thread and which can be posted from Scotland without delay for your delectation and early musical developement ?
It will help you to get rid of those dollar thingies before they become completely worthless.

eedbjp · Post by **eedbjp** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:25 am

I played the Mopane Casey Burns and thought it was great-Brian

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:05 am

Personally, I would second the suggestion of the Hamilton.

I know other good options have also been offered.
Let me weigh in on the side of the Ward delrin flute, if you think you want to go non-wood, though. I have one in Eb, and love it! The workmanship is total quality. Mine has silver slide and rings, and sounds wonderful! Check it out at www.wardflutes.com

Mary

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:55 am

Another possibility would be a Copley. I have played a Copley and Schultz side-by-side, and the Copley is an easier flute to play, although I prefer the partially lined head of the Schultz. Loren has listed one recently, and I think another has been listed.

The Hammy may play a little more similarly to the Schultz. They're both big-holed flutes with partially lined heads, although the Hammy will bark somewhat better.

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:25 am

Here's my $.02 for an M&E Rudall & Rose. I've had it three weeks and can play a lot of tunes on it - first flute too. ~ $450 shipped and you can get it within 2-3 weeks.

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:30 am

I vote for the Hamilton or the Cotter.

(Unless, of course, you can find a used Murray, but I wouldn't risk the wait on a new one right now.)

cheers!

Markus · Post by **Markus** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:29 pm

I second the Hammy. Just got one, and am constantly failing to find words to describe the sound I get from it. Besides being extremely loud (and sweet, when needed), it's also fairly easy to blow - at least when compared to my delrin Seery.

So I think an opportunity to get one without the wait&all should not be missed.

Cheers,

Markus

tin tin · Post by **tin tin** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:20 pm

Paddy Ward's flutes have been well received (haven't experienced on myself, though), and would be in your price range.

mBill · Post by **mBill** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 2:50 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! this has been a great help.

is there any where i can find sound samples of the wooden flutes from above? i havent had much of a chance to try anything besides a Murray and a few Seery flutes. i am really looking at wood though.

tin tin · Post by **tin tin** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:34 pm

You can find samples of Copley flutes (which are great flutes with a short wait) at the website. Casey Burns may have some samples on his site...not sure about others.

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:13 pm

I PM'd you, M Bill.

Cheers,
Aaron

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