Boxwood infor from the pipers

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:36 am

Hey there is a really informative thread about boxwood over on the Uilleann pipe forum. It has some really great information I hadn't heard before.

Here's the link:

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=39480

Doc

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:17 am

Lots of misinformation (mixed in with some accurate info) in that thread, all well intentioned, of course, but as usual it's a mix of experience and inexperience talking.

Loren

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:49 am

Loren's signature wrote:The strongest of all warriors are these two: Time and Patience

Talking from my own experience I would say they are Patience and Enthusiasm. Time is the battlefield. One cannot experience the whole of the latter. Therefore all conversations are marked by both experience and the lack of it.

spittle · Post by **spittle** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:07 am

I'd be interested to hear what's ill-informed over there (just out of my own general curiosity - it was an informative thread!). I found it especially interesting Rod Cameron's technique for 'relaxing' boxwood for his flutes. Man, I should subscribe to the flute-makers list on Yahoo - I miss Rod's evocative musings on flutes and the world at large!

Loren, other than starting with the obvious: quality timbers from the get-go, what sorts of things are done at VH to stabilize box?

Cheers,
- Ryan

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:07 am

Spittle,

I've got a ton of stuff I'm trying to get done today, and I may have very limited internet access over the weekend, but I'll try to get back to this as soon as I can. Obviously the answers to your questions are not "short".

Loren

Jennie · Post by **Jennie** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:10 pm

100% accurate or not, the descriptions I've read of boxwood have convinced me that it's not what I will choose for a flute, unless a boxwood beauty literally falls into my lap. With the variance of humidity in my area from winter to summer, and the fact that I heat my home with wood, I'm very happy to go with blackwood.

In this case, a little information goes a long way.

Jennie

chas · Post by **chas** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:53 pm

I really think the dangers of boxwood are greatly exaggerated. A lot of us have the huge variations in indoor humidity -- here it can be very cold and ~20 percent or so one night and rain the next day and go up to 80%. There is a very simple solution: tupperware and a cigar humidifier. A hygrometer is a good idea, too. Total investment: about $15 if you go for one of the cheapie hygrometers, $30 if you go digital. The effort is modest, but definitely more than some are up for.

I've become a little lax about it in the last year or two. Of all my boxwood flutes, seven right now, one had a tenon that went out of round last year (not sure why), and one has a ring that gets loose sometimes.

Of course, if you're happy with the sound and feel of blackwood, you probably don't want a boxwood flute anyway. Of course, I'm just the opposite.

Jon C. · Post by **Jon C.** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:17 pm

Boxwood can crack...
The Upper tenon was replaced maybe during the civil war. so now it has a new tenon.
But after 200 years it still sounds great!

chas · Post by **chas** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:39 pm

Jon C. wrote: Boxwood can crack...

Can you name a decent flute wood that can't?

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:40 pm

Nonsense Jon, Charlie says Boxwood is relatively trouble free, you must be dreaming.

Loren

Jon C. · Post by **Jon C.** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:52 pm

chas wrote:
Jon C. wrote: Boxwood can crack...
Can you name a decent flute wood that can't?

Well there is cracking, and there is CRACKING!

I use this stuff called delrin...

I once had a boxwood antique flute head joint crack like a shotgun going off, or a yardstick smashed on a desk. (I hope I don't give you nightmares!)

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:20 pm

I've heard mention of certain "relaxation techniques" for warped boxwood, but I don't recall hearing specifics .... anyone here got any ideas what they could be?

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:24 pm

That would be a good thing to know. Anyone?

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:43 pm

Jon C. wrote:
Boxwood can crack...
The Upper tenon was replaced maybe during the civil war. so now it has a new tenon.
But after 200 years it still sounds great!

Aha, now I know where Sam Murray gets his wee keys. What's up with the foot on that pretty thing, Jon?

Chiffed · Post by **Chiffed** » Mon May 01, 2006 3:05 pm

Adjustable foot, just in case it's not flat enough.

Boxwood, grenadilla, any wood that can, when properly worked, make it through a hundred years or so with only a coupla cracks sounds like good stuff. Standing up to life as a flute (or worse, not being played) has got to be torture on wood. I would liken the moisture cycle and stresses from tenons to what hardwoods go though on a boat, and nobody expects an 1850 wooden boat to have much of its original wood left in functional (let alone beautiful) condition.

Just trying to give the makers and the woods their due. Then again, Hawkes would have been nuts not to use Delrin were it available at the time.