Opnions on best Sounding Delrin flutes

[Ballygo]

Im looking to buy a Delrin flute. I like the look of Rob Forbes flutes. Before I order, has anyone had one of these, or has an opinion on Delrin flutes they have played etc.

Cheers

Ballygo

[plunk111]

Copley without a doubt. Wish I still had mine! I have a Garry Sommers Pratten and it's great, but I think the Copley suited me better. Oh well, seller's remorse (X 2)!

Pat

[skyspirit]

Copley without a doubt. Wish I still had mine! I have a Garry Sommers Pratten and it's great, but I think the Copley suited me better. Oh well, seller's remorse (X 2)!

Pat

I also vote for a Copley. I also agree with Pat. I have a pratten as well. Great flute, but a Copley suited me better. Like Pat, oh well.

Rob Robison aks skyspirit

[Ballygo]

I just had a look and listen to Copley, very nice. Did you guys find them easy to play, especially bottom D.

Ballygo

[kmag]

I have a large holed Rudall from John Gallagher in delrin that is great!

[OldHag]

Vincenzo Di Mauro flutes are good too. Seems a lot Murray style.

[Gordon]

Are we giving opinions on the best sounding Delrins, or on which flute is preferred for its body-type, regardless of Delrin? If you want a Pratten, the Forbes is an amazing flute, and fully tunable at a lower price. The Copley, which fully deserves the high praise it's received, is based on a Hawkes, not a Pratten, so it's a bit easier on the hands, especially if you're not a Pratten player. Both these flutes are at the upper-end of workmanship and sound, but beyond that are no more comparable than wooden flutes of different types. The new plug for the large holed Rudall from John Gallagher by kmag, or Vincenzo Di Mauro by OldHag - both assuredly great flutes - are cases in point.

[Feadoggie]

Are we giving opinions on the best sounding Delrins, or on which flute is preferred for its body-type, regardless of Delrin?

Gordon has a very good point there. The Forbes flute is a fine flute. Go for it if you like it. It's not a bad suggestion to actually play the flutes to see how you sound on them. Each flute is going to sound mostly like the player anyway. Some flutes suit some players better than others. If you can't try 'em all then start with a Forbes. Keep it if you like it. Try the others in your travels and sell/trade as you see fit.

I do like the Copley Delrin flutes. I favor the tone of the long foot model with the slide over the three piece model. But the three piece model is a great bargain, IMO, and a nice compact design.

I also vote for a Copley. I also agree with Pat. I have a Pratten as well. Great flute, but a Copley suited me better. Like Pat, oh well.

Hmmm? Is that the three piece Copley I have, Rob? Should we talk?

Feadoggie

[Thomaston]

Can anyone compare the Copley to the WD Sweet Shannon? I'll be choosing btwn these two if finances eventually permit.

[mke_mick]

I love my Somers medium-holed Rudall model. Great balance between power and responsiveness, fully tunable, and a lovely woody sound. And cheap!

Of the instruments people have named here, there are no bad choices. Just some that suit certain players better than others -- you'll just have to try one and see. The good news is, any of these instruments will be easy to re-sell later should you decide to move on.

Regards,
Mick

[dontf]

I have a large holed Ruddall from Terry McGee that is fabulous, there might be another out there.

[Akiba]

Can anyone compare the Copley to the WD Sweet Shannon? I'll be choosing btwn these two if finances eventually permit.

Copley without a doubt. Much better flute in terms of craftsmanship and playability.

[Raggle Taggle]

Copley with his elliptical embouchure gets my vote.

[kkrell]

My preference: Cochran Rudall-style Delrin flute by Jon Cornia (Jon C.). The others mentioned above are all decent, too, at different price points, slide & ring appointments, design & finish.

Additional Delrin flutemakers to consider: Desi Seery (based on Hudson); Paddy Ward.

[pmcallis]

If you want a big sounding, large hole pratten, the Somers' pratten model is a great flute (and did I mention inexpensive). Copleys have a great sound, are not as powerful but are priced right. Hammy Hamilton and Terry McGee make excellent delrin flutes but you will pay "wooden flute" prices.
P.