- Made in England in 1942
- Model 9, unibody construction
- Monel (similar to stainless steel)
- Chrome-plated mechanism
- Closed hole
- Pointed keys
- Offset G
- B shake
- To low C
- Silver embouchure
- Embouchure: 10.50 mm x 12.29 mm
- Embouchure height: 0.186″
- Weight: 427 g
- Traditional scale
- A=440 Hz
Looking for a cool flute? This one might be for you! It’s constructed with monel, a metal that’s similar to stainless steel. The body is also a single unit without a separate foot joint. The pointed keys are chrome-plated, giving the flute an overall Art Deco impression.
The flute is very responsive. Articulation is quick, and dynamics are easy to control. The sound of this flute is brilliant, clear, and compact, with a zing you won’t hear in a silver flute. It’s a sound that has projection built into it. The third octave is easy to control, making the flute passage in Brahm’s Third Symphony, the third movement, easy to play. The tonal quality is consistent throughout, transferring smoothly between the registers. The scale is also very stable. Only minor adjustments are needed to remain in tune.
The service record included with the flute shows that it was last serviced on August 1, 1945! It has its original leather pads, which will need to be replaced, but they are holding up surprisingly well and sealing the tone holes just fine. They are in appropriate condition to properly assess the flute to determine if it’s to your liking.
The flute will also need to be refinished. The original finish (some sort of shellac) that coated the monel tubing has almost all peeled off. What remains is mostly on the barrel and between the tone holes. So, this flute should be restored by a skilled technician with expertise in vintage flutes. The original case is in fair condition with a musty odor. (This highly unusual and rare flute would retail for $4,000-$5,000 after restoration of the flute and case.)
Price: $2,350
Sold as is, and the price takes into account the need for restoration. Sales tax applies to purchases within California. For inquiries on purchasing, please contact Gary Lewis.
