New Blackwood Olwell on ebay

[Gabriel]

It is not uncommon for african blackwood to have brown streaks. Always depends on how old the stocks are and how old the tree was. With time, (sun)light exposure and oiling, the wood turns pitch black. I once had a few billets of blackwood that were indeed pitch black inside and outside, but that timber had been seasoned for over 50 years. Those qualities are hard to come by these days.

[Lars Larry Mór Mott]

Indeed Gabriel..
LewisC: Here's my Murray flute, top when i got it and bottom after 6 months.

[LewisC]

Thanks for the photos. That is a lot of difference. The visible grain has always been one of the appeals of cocus, mopane, kingwood, etc for a musical instrument.

I wonder if there are human-contact safe UV inhibitors that would retain some of the grain variation. If it is oxygen that changes the chemistry of absorbed and reflected light then there is nothing to do.

L

[Akiba]

I wonder if the change in color from grainy brown to black also has an effect on sound/tone of the flute. I would think (though for no particular reason) that the dark black seasoned wood would have a more nuanced "better" tone. What do you think, Lars?

[an seanduine]

No heartwood or partially oxidised wood here:

Quote;Patrick Olwell: Here is a flute that I have just finished, our Pratten model in African Blackwood and all sterling silver and six keys. This is made of the best wood we have, straight grained and clear of knots or tiny defects, and is a flute that I have fussed over a bit..

Bob

[Lars Larry Mór Mott]

Akiba: Sam told me that "a good flute is good from the word go, it's not the flute that gets played in, it's you getting aquainted with the flute"
I can't say i have experienced any difference between 2011 (when i got it) and now. Perhaps there is without me noticing it? But AFAIK only the colour has changed since i got it.

[tin tin]

The visible grain has always been one of the appeals of cocus, mopane, kingwood, etc for a musical instrument.

That was one of my reasons for getting a mopane flute, but after a few years, it got quite dark. In average light, it looks pretty much like what you see in the photo to the left--very dark brown. In bright light, it still has a visible grain and reddish highlights.
Like Larry, I didn't notice a difference in tone as the flute aged/darkened. I think Sam's idea is right.

[Gromit]

It looks a bit like my old Wilkes

[Mr.Gumby]

Sam told me that "a good flute is good from the word go, it's not the flute that gets played in, it's you getting aquainted with the flute

He also told me he hates playing new flutes but I suppose that could be taken as flutes he needs to get acquainted with.

[Piobairi Uilleann Inis Fa]

$9353!! Great for Mr Olwell to have several lively bidders drive the price up for them. Congrats!

[libraryman]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what Patrick's current price is for a "regular" six-keyed blackwood flute? I believe that this one commanded quite a premium. Congratulations to the winner and the Olwells.

[dontf]

Holy crap, that's a chunk of change! Good for Patrick!

[psychodonald]

[Steampacket]

"
Quote:
Sam told me that "a good flute is good from the word go, it's not the flute that gets played in, it's you getting aquainted with the flute" LLM.

"He also told me he hates playing new flutes but I suppose that could be taken as flutes he needs to get acquainted with." Mr. Gumby.

Yes, I've noticed Mr. Murray can get very well acquainted with people's flutes

[Steampacket]

Well done Pat, and congratulations to the the winning bidder. 5.515 sterling = 9353 USD is about what folks would have paid for a good Rudall a few years ago.