Dixon????

Lerin Keeliey O'Hara · Sun Nov 03, 2002 3:20 pm

I do a lot of bicycle touring and wish to take a flute along with me. I have considered both the Dixon polymer and the Dixon two-piece plastic flute.

I enjoy the taper bored flutes but think perhaps the Dixon two-piece thinner plastic flute would suit my needs for an all conditions travelling flute.

NOW! I would like to hear from those who have experience with playing these flutes. It would be great to hear why I should or should NOT get the Dixon two-piece. If I had the ability to only buy ONE flute, which would be preferable, the Dixon polymer or the two-piece thinner plastic flute?

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Sun Nov 03, 2002 6:57 pm

I have a 3-piece polymer and the Low D/Flute Combo. As trail flutes they have their pros and cons. The polymer is solid. If you took a spill and landed on it you might more likely hurt yourself than the flute. Because of it's solid nature it's naturally heavier but hardly noticeable. The PVC is very light but I would be worried about bending it or it getting warped in heat. Another con would be size. The PVC, because it's only 2 pieces, is longer and might stick out of your backpack. The polymer breaks down to three short pieces that are easily stowed into a small pouch.
I don't ride bike much but my final suggestion would have to be the polymer. It's pricier but solid, compact, and much more like a "flute" and less like a student flute. I hope this helps.
Does Dixon make t-shirts? I feel like I should be wearing one since it seems like I'm always plugging his polymer flute. Maybe a 3-piece polymer suit?
Cheers,
Aaron

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: AaronMalcomb on 2002-11-03 20:01 ]</font>

BmacD · Post by **BmacD** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 12:42 pm

Not to mention that the polymer sounds better.Neat idea about the T shirt.It would be better than being made to wear a polyester leisure suit just because you play a plastic flute.Bike rider spandex might be appropriate for the Dixon-as long as your not built like me. I'm made for comfort, not speed.
Bruce

Lerin Keeliey O'Hara · Mon Nov 04, 2002 12:58 pm

GREAT!!

I was actually lusting after the Dixon polymer anyway. As for weight, I am not concerned about that as I carry about 60 pounds of gear with me in a trailer when I tour.

I have a Susato Low D two-piece whistle. I love the sound but am underwhelmed by the feel and "heft" of the ABS plastic. It feels like a toy made of TupperWare that may scratch and bend easily. The volume of sound is incredible though. The huge pipe and cavernous holes sure do their job.

How about one of these crafted PVC pipe flutes??? they seem rather indestructable. Does the tone sound well enough to be taken seriously???

Thankies,
LKO

DanD · Post by **DanD** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 1:10 pm

As an owner of the 2 pc Low D/Flute combo, I also have to recommend the 3 pc. polymer. The PVC tube used on the Duo is relatively thin. There isn't much of a chimney at the embouchure, so it's hard for me to switch between it and my woodenflute. The 3 pc polymer is probably more like playing your regular woodenflute.
Just my $0.02.

Lerin Keeliey O'Hara · Mon Nov 04, 2002 2:17 pm

Does anyone know of a retailer here, in US, that has the Dixon polymer currently in stock?

Time is kind of getting short for me til my next tour? I will be going back to Galway next April. Perhaps I could wait til then,,,,,,,,NAAAAH!,, I want it now!!

I just hope the poodle will dance to it as she does the Low D whistle.

LKO

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 3:14 pm

Okay, I am a dabbler, not a flutist, but I have played with a few of the cheaper flutes, including the Dixon 3-pc. I really liked it, but thought it was a little heavy. Personal thing.

For a fun, cheap flute, I am really fond of Doug Tipple's Irish flute. He makes it out of PVC pipe. It is one piece, so you are stuck with a longer pipe. However, it is friendly, light, loud enough without being overpowering, and a total tyro can puff on it and get a nice sound the first time. I think he'd got a nice design. He sells on E-bay. Just look for Doug Tipple's Irish Flute. For $25 it is probably the best value in a plastic flute. For an inexpensive alternative to a real wooden flute, the Dixon polymer seems to be the way to go.

-Patrick

MkN · Post by **MkN** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 3:18 pm

Hobgoblin has them in stock, it took me about 5 days to get mine. Just go to their website http://www.hobgoblin.com and click om USA.

Lerin Keeliey O'Hara · Mon Nov 04, 2002 3:38 pm

OKAY!!

How easy is the Dixon polymer to blow and is there any "reprogramming" of my mouth and lips when I go back to my Sweetheart??

How is hole spacing?? width?,, hole diameter?

Sorry to ask so many questions but dropping $260-$280 for another flute is kinda sorta intimidating. I think I really do want the Dixon Poly though.

It is so easy to make really good "friends" with one flute, namely, "Kate", My wooden flute. But she just does not fair well on the bike trips.

Thanks for suffering this fool

LKO

shoner · Post by **shoner** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 3:43 pm

Since you bicycle tour I recommend you acquire the heaviest most solidly made plastic flute available, e.g., a Seery. Keep it fully assembled and close at hand. Apply liberally to marauding canines. Plays pretty darn good too.

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 11:59 pm

The Whistle Shop also has the polymer in stock. The Seery's a good suggestion too but the Dixon is a fair bit more economic and equally as menacing for bludgeoning.
Cheers,
Aaron

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 7:28 am

I got a DIxon three-piece from the whistle shop yesterday...very nice flute. I'm a very new fluter but had no trouble playing it. The tone quality is remarkably good. The holes are smallish and the spacing is reasonable. If you get one and don't like it I think you could get your money back very easily selling here on the board. But I don't think you'll be re-selling. They are very nice flutes.

Doc

tin tin · Post by **tin tin** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 8:43 am

The Dixon 3-piece is the way to go, I think. It sounds good, has good intonation, plays easily, and has very manageable tone holes (small, not too far apart). The Whistle Shop sells it for under $200.
It should be easy to switch between this and a wood flute, since this flute plays much like a wood flute.
best,
Micah

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:51 pm

Hi Lerin,You sound as if you are three-quarters sold on getting the Dixon 3 piece- go on buy it-YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT!!!(lol).Seriously though,it's a great flute for the money,quite 'professional' looking, and tough as old boots-so it would make a great travel flute.I certainly love playing my Dixon!

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 1:18 pm

Yeah, having had one of the Dixon 2pc flutes, and doing a fair bit of cycling myself, I agree with everyone else that the 3pc is the way to go.

Shoner - that bit about applying the Seery liberally to Marauding Canines cracked me up! Many is the time I wish I'd had an a big indestructible stick like that when being set upon by the hounds while cycling or running. Wouldn't be much proof against the gators here, but A telescoping version of the seery would be just perfect mounted under one's top tube.....

Loren

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