I am selling a Terry McGee Pratten copy (based on a Boosey & Co. Pratten No. 8626) in blackwood. It is a discernibly brown blackwood and I would have thought cocus, but Terry's records are clear - blackwood it is. You can read Terry's description of these flutes here:
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/models.html . The flute I am selling has both a long D foot, and a C foot, making it either a 6 key or an 8 key, as you wish. Here is a picture of the flute in its case:
You can see a much higher resolution picture here:
http://home.comcast.net/~tamadden/PICT1153.JPG
I agree with Terry that these flutes sing a bit more freely without the C and C# key, and therefore I have always only used the long D footjoint. The flute has the "Bent and Twisted McG# key and the Mk III tuning slide. It has the traditional cylindrical head with a two semicircles type embouchure. The flute barrel is stamped "Terry McGee Canberra" and on the other side it is stamped "232"; according to Terry's records he finished this one in March, 2001. I bought the flute used, from another Woodie-L member about 9 months later.
The flute has just been fully inspected and refurbished by Terry, and therefore is in A+ shape. Larry Mallette tried it in East Durham last year and promptly informed me that I had a leaky key, so off to Terry it went. It is playing great now.
I have about $4,200 in the flute, and will sell it for that, shipping extra. The flute comes with the two footjoints mentioned above, and one of Terry's beautiful wood cases. The case has a few scratches on it, and the flute may have a ding or two but nothing obvious. The flute and case look great. The flute has never cracked. Looking at Terry's website I see that a new 8 key with case would go for about $4,400, and I cannot tell what he would charge for the long D footjoint, but it would probably be at least $500.
Here is a picture of the case:
or go here for a high resolution copy:
http://home.comcast.net/~tamadden/PICT1152.JPG
This flute is a serious bargain for the right owner. Caveat - please note: this is a Pratten copy, not one of Terry's improved models. It exhibits the characteristics many people associate with the original Prattens: it demands a focused embouchure but will repay the skilled player with a strong bottom D, a very consistent tuning, and an overall volume and tone that will let you cut through the noise in a session. It is also, have I not mentioned this already?, gorgeous. But it is probably not for a beginner.
I know this is a lot of money, so it is my intention to offer it to Woodie-L and Chiff and Fipple first, give you all some time to think about it, and if I get no takers I'll put it on eBay in a few weeks.
eBay rules apply; you send me your check; once the check clears I'll send you the flute. If you can come out to Bloomfield, NJ, you are welcome to drop by and try the flute out.
Regards,
Tom
Tamadden@comcast.net
