I think we're probably in agreement here, but speaking in such a way as to sound argumentative...talasiga wrote:Gordon, that looked to me like the pot calling the kettle black.
Whilst I honed in on one portion of your post as an epigraph to my post
the thrust of my post addressed your thrust because I discussed the reedy outcome on other flutes as well including flutes with lip plates.
That an olden flute head filled a particular need well does not mean that it cannot be surpassed by a modern head which fills an alleged new need providing that the modern head can also fulfil the alleged olden need as well.
I was proposing that some makers replace flute heads more to fit modern sensibilities (most often for trad players), and so it becomes a matter of definition - what is improved? There are some amazing old flutes out there, imbued with something more - an intangible element - that many moderns lack. A new head solves perceived issues, but more often tweaks the flute to simply respond in a more comfortable way for the modern trad player, and loses its unique qualities in the process.
That said, and with a major nod to modern makers/restorers currently out there (and not to backpedal too much!) there are also probably far fewer old flutes around with such unique qualities than us romantics would like to believe... Some old flutes clearly, or simply, need help, and a new head might just be the ticket...