artley e flat flute

[saxhorn]

I have an Artley e flat soprano flute...
My question is as follow; does anyone know the proper distance
from the Head Joint cork plate to the middle of the embrochure hole?
Also the plate is not smooth the metal seems to be corroded
does that have a detrimental effect. Thanks...Joe B...ya out there?

[wkzh]

Hey,

I don't think there're any specs for Eb flute stopper positions, simply because there are so few out there, but you can figure it out by experimentation. Stopper positioning affects intonation in different registers differently, so it's always a compromise. The key is to find a *good* compromise (some claim "perfect" but IMHO that's nonsense.)

The simplest way to go about this is to tune your octaves. If octaves are wide, push the stopper in. If octaves are narrow, pull the stopper out. (Not exactly "pull" it out, but you get the idea.) When you're happy enough, tune the flute by adjusting the amount which you push the headjoint in, just as you would normally do. Check the octaves again. If you're not happy with the intonation, repeat the process...

It is not likely that you'll get perfect intonation, especially with these older instruments, and that it might have been built to a different pitch standard (e.g. A=435 or the sorts) so it might NEVER play in tune with modern instruments (unless, of course, you send it for some tweaking...). But as I said, it's always a compromise; sometimes, alternate fingerings will be the best solution. Alternatively... you could get someone else to experiment for you! (and tell you all the problems, heheh.)

The corrosion shouldn't be a problem, because the air doesn't really move there. (I've experimented before, putting all sorts of nonsense into that space, and the flute still plays -almost- fine. A little bit of scratchy surface would have negligible effects.) However, given that it is corroded, I think you should replace the whole cork assembly...

Hope this helps!

[JButky]

I have an Artley e flat soprano flute...
My question is as follow; does anyone know the proper distance
from the Head Joint cork plate to the middle of the embrochure hole?
Also the plate is not smooth the metal seems to be corroded
does that have a detrimental effect. Thanks...Joe B...ya out there?

I used to know that off the top of my head. i have it written down somewhere. I own one of those so I can go measure the headjoint and tell you what it should be if I can't find my notes...

[saxhorn]

O.K , Joe...i happen now to have another one in my shop for an overhaul.
Last time i did this i used greenback valentinos with marginal success.
Could or would you recommend a better pad for this flute!
The sizes are odd..like16mm or 16.5 mm

i'll have to check...they came with all rubber? pads that were quite soft but actually
worked O.k for this flute. thanks for your time in helping with this matter

[JButky]

O.K , Joe...i happen now to have another one in my shop for an overhaul.
Last time i did this i used greenback valentinos with marginal success.
Could or would you recommend a better pad for this flute!
The sizes are odd..like16mm or 16.5 mm

i'll have to check...they came with all rubber? pads that were quite soft but actually
worked O.k for this flute. thanks for your time in helping with this matter

I forgot to answer about the stopper placement last time. It should be @ 14mm.

Pads, Sizes are about that. I just ordered them in that size. Mine had clarinet pads glued in it. I took them out, cleaned all the glue out and installed regular pad nuts so I can install with screws and washers. The tone holes were so bad on mine that it was going to need this if it ever was going to play correctly. That's why the rubber pads did OK, they were soft a squishy enough to make up for the bad tone holes.

It's a lot of work to do it that way though, but padding is a lot easier. If the tone holes are as bad as I suspect a squishy pad like valentino might be your best hope, but like you said, with marginal results. I would do the conversion personally. Even though these flutes are "not worth the expense" they are rare and can be usable for a long time.

[cocuswood96]

Joe, I got out my Haynes Eb, measured the cork to embouchure hole center and it was 14mm- oddly enough, the mark on the original swab stick is around 17mm, obviously miss marked.
Thanks for looking that number up- I was wandering if my trial and error position was close to the real "mark"!
cocus

[StephenC]

I have an Artley e flat soprano flute music...
My question is as follow; does anyone know the proper distance
from the Head Joint cork plate to the middle of the embrochure hole?
Also the plate is not smooth the metal seems to be corroded
does that have a detrimental effect. Thanks...Joe B...ya out there?

Check your cork position in your headjoint. It should be at 17.3 mm from the center of the embouchure hole. Some even move their corks to between 17.5 and 18 mm. if playing an A442 flute. Check that your cleaning rod marker is measured correctly too (many are not in the correct place.) When I am practicing I watch on the tuner & I am some what off- but not to the decree I am told in the orch.

[southernbeefcake]

On a related topic... I have been desperately searching for a Haynes Eb Flute now for many years and am willing to pay absolute top dollar. Anyone know where I can find one?

[fluteguy18]

I have an Artley e flat soprano flute music...
My question is as follow; does anyone know the proper distance
from the Head Joint cork plate to the middle of the embrochure hole?
Also the plate is not smooth the metal seems to be corroded
does that have a detrimental effect. Thanks...Joe B...ya out there?

Check your cork position in your headjoint. It should be at 17.3 mm from the center of the embouchure hole. Some even move their corks to between 17.5 and 18 mm. if playing an A442 flute. Check that your cleaning rod marker is measured correctly too (many are not in the correct place.) When I am practicing I watch on the tuner & I am some what off- but not to the decree I am told in the orch.

This topic is about a flute pitched in 'Eb', not the Concert 'C' flute that most players play. It is a smaller instrument and has a different position as Joe defined for us.