Which Olwell should i order ?

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:53 pm

I feel the need to stretch out my paws a little on a bigger flute, this time in C

So far, i realy liked my Copley in D, i prefere it over the Hammy and Seery that i've tried out.
But i'm getting carried away by the sound of Olwells lately.
Which Olwell in C might be the nearest to my Copley embouchure wise ?

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:09 pm

Call up Pat himself - he's an easy fellow to talk about flutes to.

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:24 pm

His flutes all have the same embouchure cut; the difference is in the bore profile and tonehole layout.

If you're not crazy about the Hammy, you probably ought not to go for Patrick's Pratten model. There's not much of a difference in the tonehole layout between my Olwell Nicholson and Rudall, although the Nicholson is quite old and I think the layout is a bit different now. I would think the Nicholson with a lined head would be closest to the Copley in terms of the way it feels.

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:33 pm

Nicholson is probably a good idea as Copley's Flutes are most like a medium bore Hawkes, I don't think Pat makes a Hawkes model.

johnkerr · Post by **johnkerr** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:39 am

Embouchure cut doesn't really matter when you're playing in C. You want that mellow old-time Clare/East Galway sound when you're in that key, and there's only one way to get that: hose clamps. Tell Patrick you want the hose clamps. But be prepared for the follow-up questions. Nickel or titanium? Naturally or artificially distressed? Single screw or double screw? Each of these options has profound yet subtle ramifications on the sound of the flute, much too complex for me to elaborate on here. I'd advise doing your research before you make the call to the master, P. Olwell. Post a query on woodenflute.com, and ask for Terry McGee's three-volume dissertation on hose clamp design for wooden flute applications in early 20th-century Irish music. That would be a good start.

It's a lot of work, but the reward is worth it. Hose clamps are where it's at! Enjoy the journey...

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:43 am

As you may know, Dave C makes a C body for his D flute.
You would get a good C flute for a lot less and a lot faster.

Kevin L. Rietmann · Post by **Kevin L. Rietmann** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:03 am

Hose clamps, eh? Did Eddie Moloney and all them have cracked heads?
I notice Vince Broderick seemed to have the headjoint wrapped in electrician's tape, on the Come West video.

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:59 am

Many thanks for all the replies!! I think the Olwell is too much of a gamble for me, and it's not played in sessions very often.
I think 'll take Jim's advice and go for a Copley-C body.
i might get back to the Olwell when i'm further down the road, i'm not even playing a year...

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:15 am

lixnaw wrote:Many thanks for all the replies!! I think the Olwell is too much of a gamble for me, and it's not played in sessions very often.
I think 'll take Jim's advice and go for a Copley-C body.
i might get back to the Olwell when i'm further down the road, i'm not even playing a year...

??

An Olwell C will only appreciate with time. . . I'd say if you could afford it it's a no-brainer, based merely on the economics of it. Add to that the fact that his flutes are pretty much universally esteemed by top players and ya can;t go wrong. Oh, and also esteemed by this 1-year experienced newb:)

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:04 pm

Wormdiet wrote:
lixnaw wrote:Many thanks for all the replies!! I think the Olwell is too much of a gamble for me, and it's not played in sessions very often.
I think 'll take Jim's advice and go for a Copley-C body.
i might get back to the Olwell when i'm further down the road, i'm not even playing a year...
??

An Olwell C will only appreciate with time. . . I'd say if you could afford it it's a no-brainer, based merely on the economics of it. Add to that the fact that his flutes are pretty much universally esteemed by top players and ya can;t go wrong. Oh, and also esteemed by this 1-year experienced newb:)

I think i'd be a fool not to go for the Copley-C body.
And that you're right about the Olwell's reputation, but i'll better get one in D , at least it will get played in sessions then.
But first 'll have to sell one of my accordions for that...

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:26 pm

lixnaw wrote: But first 'll have to sell one of my accordions for that...

So it's a win-win situation!

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:33 pm

chas wrote:
lixnaw wrote: But first 'll have to sell one of my accordions for that...
So it's a win-win situation!

Dude, that is sooo cold..... I love it.

Loren

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:33 pm

chas wrote:
lixnaw wrote: But first 'll have to sell one of my accordions for that...
So it's a win-win situation!

yep, Saltarelle Nuage has gone up by 400 euros in the last 18 months

i'll go for the Nicholson.

daiv · Post by **daiv** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:45 pm

Loren wrote:
chas wrote:
lixnaw wrote: But first 'll have to sell one of my accordions for that...
So it's a win-win situation!
Dude, that is sooo cold..... I love it.

Loren

yeah, i too use accordians in the fireplace to keep me warm.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:52 am

Ha Ha Ha
Ok, how about this...
I have a vintage supply of seasoned Cocus flute blanks I've been burning all winter. There's just enough to last till spring. Pleasant aroma as well.

All the best,
Flute AND Accordion player.