Very close to getting my dream keyed flute, but a concern has arrised. Often you hear the term that a flute has a one or two piece body, I am curious if this refers to the mid section, or that the whole lower section that's past the headjoint. I am curious if any of you have a preference. I don't think I would mind if the mid section was made in one piece. My main concern is that it would have a foot joint so I can rotate the Eb key out of the way, and put it into position just for songs where I would need it, otherwise I prefer to rest my pinky finger right in the spot where the key is.
Another question is the whole mopane vs. blackwood. Is there anyone on this forum who has owned both and can give me a good analysis of the tonal differences they find with each one?
One or two piece body, which is better? Mopane vs. Blackwood
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O_Gaiteiro_do_Chicago
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I've owned both and I vote for blackwood, but it's all
impressionistic. Here's an argument anyway:
most everybody agrees that mopane is no better
than blackwood, so a blackwood flute will be no
disadvantage. There is some controversy about
whether mopane is as good. Therefore one might
as well go for blackwood, you can't lose.
The parts of flutes--headjoint-barrel = 1 section.
Foot = 1 section. Midsection, either one or two
pieces. So the question is about the midsection..
Advantages of two sections: the flute is easier to
transport. You can possibly line the holes up differently
to suit your rt hand position--though this may be
problematic with a keyed flute.
Advantages to one section: quicker assembly.
If you do want the holes lined up, that's a cinch,
as they can't move.
By the way, your standard Pratten-style has an undivided
midsection; your standard Rudall a divided mid section,
however some Pratten makers divide the midsection,
e.g. Seth Gallagher.
impressionistic. Here's an argument anyway:
most everybody agrees that mopane is no better
than blackwood, so a blackwood flute will be no
disadvantage. There is some controversy about
whether mopane is as good. Therefore one might
as well go for blackwood, you can't lose.
The parts of flutes--headjoint-barrel = 1 section.
Foot = 1 section. Midsection, either one or two
pieces. So the question is about the midsection..
Advantages of two sections: the flute is easier to
transport. You can possibly line the holes up differently
to suit your rt hand position--though this may be
problematic with a keyed flute.
Advantages to one section: quicker assembly.
If you do want the holes lined up, that's a cinch,
as they can't move.
By the way, your standard Pratten-style has an undivided
midsection; your standard Rudall a divided mid section,
however some Pratten makers divide the midsection,
e.g. Seth Gallagher.
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Sillydill
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Hey Ted,
Tonally I can't discern a difference between blackwood and mopane.
I used to think that perhaps mopane had a stronger cross-grain structure and was less likely to crack. But now I've seen and heard of mopane cracking. So I think it disproves that theory.
I think mopane is certainly more attractive (I know many like the formal look of silver & blackwood). But I still believe mopane is a whiskery wood, it takes good bore polishing and treatment to keep the whiskers from rising.
As per number of body sections; it has been argued that accoustics are improved by minimizing the number of joints. This creates a more homogenious body. So if you don't mind the inline toneholes and the longer size to portage, go for the single piece body (K.I.S.S. principle).
Jon C. also makes Pratten bore flutes with 2-piece bodies.
All the Best!
Jordan
Tonally I can't discern a difference between blackwood and mopane.
I used to think that perhaps mopane had a stronger cross-grain structure and was less likely to crack. But now I've seen and heard of mopane cracking. So I think it disproves that theory.
I think mopane is certainly more attractive (I know many like the formal look of silver & blackwood). But I still believe mopane is a whiskery wood, it takes good bore polishing and treatment to keep the whiskers from rising.
As per number of body sections; it has been argued that accoustics are improved by minimizing the number of joints. This creates a more homogenious body. So if you don't mind the inline toneholes and the longer size to portage, go for the single piece body (K.I.S.S. principle).
Jon C. also makes Pratten bore flutes with 2-piece bodies.
All the Best!
Jordan
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tin tin
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I own a mopane flute, and have never had an issue with it being "whiskery."
The wood takes an almost plastic-like smoothness, and the bore is still glossy. (I oil maybe once or twice a year.)
As far as tonal differences, whatever they are, they're quite subtle. Even the same model by the same maker in the same wood will have differences, so it's tough to guage the difference between woods. (Although boxwood does seem to have its own definable mojo.)
And if the headjoint is lined, I'd venture to say there's almost no difference in sound. A fickle reason to choose a wood, to be sure, but I picked mopane because I like how it looks!
The wood takes an almost plastic-like smoothness, and the bore is still glossy. (I oil maybe once or twice a year.)
As far as tonal differences, whatever they are, they're quite subtle. Even the same model by the same maker in the same wood will have differences, so it's tough to guage the difference between woods. (Although boxwood does seem to have its own definable mojo.)
And if the headjoint is lined, I'd venture to say there's almost no difference in sound. A fickle reason to choose a wood, to be sure, but I picked mopane because I like how it looks!
Last edited by tin tin on Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Bart Wijnen
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Geez, it's brownish with a flowing grain and it looks
lovely. Casey Burns has some pictures of mopane flutes
on his site. Maybe there's more info.
It was supposed to be an environmentally
superiour alternative to blackwood, however Casey
says it's now in short supply and expensive.
Another consideration in favor of blackwood,
as people are giving cogent defenses of mopane:
people THINK blackwood sounds better.
So if ever you sell the flute, it'll be more in
demand if it's blackwood.
Of course if mopane is about to become pricey,
maybe blackwood will be cheaper.
About the environment: it is said (and I believe it for
entirely self-serving reasons) that blackwood is
not endangered. It's only that instrument grade
wood is in shorter supply. Plenty of blackwood, though.
Heh, heh, heh!
lovely. Casey Burns has some pictures of mopane flutes
on his site. Maybe there's more info.
It was supposed to be an environmentally
superiour alternative to blackwood, however Casey
says it's now in short supply and expensive.
Another consideration in favor of blackwood,
as people are giving cogent defenses of mopane:
people THINK blackwood sounds better.
So if ever you sell the flute, it'll be more in
demand if it's blackwood.
Of course if mopane is about to become pricey,
maybe blackwood will be cheaper.
About the environment: it is said (and I believe it for
entirely self-serving reasons) that blackwood is
not endangered. It's only that instrument grade
wood is in shorter supply. Plenty of blackwood, though.
Heh, heh, heh!
try this Bart,
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/colomopane.htm
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/colomopane.htm
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brotherwind
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some pictures of Mopane
Just have a look on my post:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... &start=390
Her are some pictures of my new "baby".
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... &start=390
Her are some pictures of my new "baby".
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Sillydill
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See this post:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ght=mopane
Caution there are some very large pictures there!
Wonder who did that!
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ght=mopane
Caution there are some very large pictures there!
Wonder who did that!
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Cathy Wilde
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Don't be silly!Sillydill wrote:See this post:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ght=mopane
Caution there are some very large pictures there!
Wonder who did that!
...hmmm...nevermind
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dow
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Are you sure your name's not Silly-BILLBOARD-dill?Sillydill wrote:See this post:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ght=mopane
Caution there are some very large pictures there!
Wonder who did that!
Dow Mathis ∴
Boerne, TX
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently motivated fool.
Boerne, TX
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently motivated fool.
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chas
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Gaiteiro, you should check with the maker as to the footjoint issue. Some makers don't make separate feet, and others may or may not depending on model.
As for the mopane vs. blackwood thing, I have a strong preference for mopane. It's very pretty wood, and I've never warmed up to blackwood despite having owned at three blackwood flutes and several blackwood whistles. Undoubtedly a personal matter, but based on experience.
Mopane is a good instrument wood -- It's very high density, very hard, tight grain, and easy to work for those used to high-density woods. I've never seen the bore grain raised as Jordan has. I wonder if that was just a poorly finished bore?
As for the mopane vs. blackwood thing, I have a strong preference for mopane. It's very pretty wood, and I've never warmed up to blackwood despite having owned at three blackwood flutes and several blackwood whistles. Undoubtedly a personal matter, but based on experience.
Mopane is a good instrument wood -- It's very high density, very hard, tight grain, and easy to work for those used to high-density woods. I've never seen the bore grain raised as Jordan has. I wonder if that was just a poorly finished bore?
Charlie
Whorfin Woods
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Whorfin Woods
"Our work puts heavy metal where it belongs -- as a music genre and not a pollutant in drinking water." -- Prof Ali Miserez.
Those aren't flute whiskers; they're mopane worms!
Nobody can say they weren't warned.
Jordan's photos of mopane flutes are gorgeous,
and Casey's mopane flutes are very striking.
I saw at the Tional a very beautiful Dave Copley
mopane keyed flute. Mopane and silver are
scrumptuous. The wood was darker and less
dramatic, I thought at first it might be cocus.
Sounded very good too.
Nobody can say they weren't warned.
Jordan's photos of mopane flutes are gorgeous,
and Casey's mopane flutes are very striking.
I saw at the Tional a very beautiful Dave Copley
mopane keyed flute. Mopane and silver are
scrumptuous. The wood was darker and less
dramatic, I thought at first it might be cocus.
Sounded very good too.