Is the "premium" paid for quality headcork worth the $$$?

[mirwa]

Which one joe, I dont recognise the track,

[JButky]

# 12 in G minor. 2nd section...

[mirwa]

Theres some flute solos, that just make a flute sound impressive with no accompaniment, thats one of them.

I just downloaded a pdf of sheet music for it, and look forward to playing it tomorrow.

[trumpettech]

I would like to say that my experiences in repair have led me to certain conclusions, and to conduct certain experiments. I'm not trying to be secretive, but I will not divulge certain information to non-technicians. I mentioned before that I would be happy to share my techniques with you, even though you may scoff at them and not try them yourself as many others have (remember, Graham Bell had an idea for an invention that electrical experts at the time said wouldn't work), but I will not post them on a discussion board, because these techniques can easily "shut down" an instrument if misapplied. I'm not supposing a hocus-pocus or magic, just flute repair that goes beyond mere pad replacement to adjusting the instrument itself. I'm a trumpeter. I discovered these techniques on trumpet first, then found them to be effective on other instruments as well. These techniques are all the more effective on smaller instruments made of metal, than any other type, so what makes a small difference on an alto or bass flute could make or break the performance of a piccolo. There are technicians all over this country with ideas. Some of them are on to something, others not so much, but many of them do not share their ideas either out of a desire not to be belittled by technicians such as yourself, or some want to keep their techniques a secret (like David Monette). I want the world to know what I know, and have published articles before in the Technicom magazine (an international publication for NAPBIRT members). I'm not trying to cause a problem by contradicting your all powerful knowledge and experience, but when someone tells me their experience leads them to believe there is no difference between A or B, it just lets me know that they have been ignoring that portion of their work for that length of time, or maybe they really can't tell the difference, or maybe they aren't, at this point in their career, open to any new ideas.
I might make someone mad with what I have to say. That's ok. I can live with that, but until you know what I'm talking about, there is no point in further discussion.
If you want to try some of these techniques, I can email them to you.
My email is neal.anderson@donsmusiccity.com

[JButky]

I'll email you just because I'm curious. I've done just about every experiment under the sun for what's out there, so I'm sure it will be interesting..

[trumpettech]

personnel knowledge and tooling to accomplish said tasks

I don't believe your repair skill is based on who you know.
Look up the definition of the word personnel.
Thanks!

[mirwa]

There are technicians all over this country with ideas. Some of them are on to something, others not so much, but many of them do not share their ideas either out of a desire not to be belittled by technicians such as yourself, or some want to keep their techniques a secret (like David Monette).

Neal, I have never met you, but your response leaves something to be desired, nothing but common courtesy has been given to you, I feel you have too great of a need to be recognised as a technician.

As a technician, I am humbled by the fact that others choose me, to repair there pride and joy, I am not of the opinion that I am so great that others should use me or listen to me because I am who I say I am.

[trumpettech]

Recognized... recognized...
I'm not here to be recognized, but I do hate poor spelling and grammar.

[JButky]

but when someone tells me their experience leads them to believe there is no difference between A or B, it just lets me know that they have been ignoring that portion of their work for that length of time, or maybe they really can't tell the difference, or maybe they aren't, at this point in their career, open to any new ideas.

Or... it may be that some experience is not reconciled with research that is demonstrable and repeatable and that there are people who do understand the why's and what's of what is happening because they have combined experimentation with practical acoustics.

Unfortunately, there is way too much meaningless experimentation lacking a scholarly consideration that has led our community, (the general flute community) to not understand or even be misled, because without realizing it, techs (among others) can also contribute to meaningless placebo effects. If things are truly different, these must be empirically and causally identified, must be repeatable, and be capable of explanation with scientific acoustical knowledge. When there is no acoustical knowledge on a phenomenon but the other conditions exist, then it is the job of acousticians to explain what is happening.

So it is not always just someone's blind experience that is telling you about a difference, it may be someone who can also explain to you why you are experiencing that or explain what is really happening or even inform you of a misconception.

Unfortunately, many techs disconnect themselves from the body of knowledge that exists and various claims make the rounds over and over again perpetuating myths rather than delve into real explanations for or against any particular effect. Most of these are innocent attempts, but that is precisely why we ask for specifics when techs make claims. We need to decipher exactly what is going on and why. These almost always fall into the regular body of knowledge currently in existence and can be exposed or codified with known explanations.

[pied_piper]

Recognized... recognized...
I'm not here to be recognized, but I do hate poor spelling and grammar.

You should check your dictionary. Recognised is a correct and accepted spelling, especially for those who follow British spelling. There are many words with alternate spellings. Color vs. colour is a prime example. Mirwa spelled it correctly (he's from Australia).

[mirwa]

Recognized... recognized...
I'm not here to be recognized, but I do hate poor spelling and grammar.

Its all good, even though English is my first language, I do stink at it .

I employ a secretary to do all my typing and invoicing at the shop, as I know this is a field I do not accell in , I am barely competent . I accept this failing and do not get upset or critical when people correct me .

I use google auto correct on occasion, as my english grammar is so poor, the personnel referenced above is a classic example, my intended word was personal.

[mirwa]

A few other inconsistencies that I know of between America and Australia.

Any word ending in ize = ise
Recognize - Recognise
Visualize - Visualise

Most words ending in er = re for us
Liter - Litre
Center - Centre

You folks use or we use our
Labor - Labour
Color - Colour

And just different
Goal - Jail
Offense - Offence
Fulfill - Fulfil
Aging - Ageing

We can if you wish talk Doubled Consonants

For, but a few examples. "Example meaning illustrating a general rule, rather than, example meaning to be imitated or even punished"

Now being a flute website, lets talk flutes.

[flutego12]

Thank you for the discussion and insight guys. First day back... Am so pleased with what the net has trawled. It's quite a catch. Lots to savor. Thank you.