Hi Briolette;
William "is" Craig, and 10 weeks does not sound too far off base. My flute took about that long, maybe longer. Don't worry, anything international usually has a waiting period. The flute I received has been well worth the wait. There are going to be little things that feel odd or different with every flute. Those things can be adjusted. I am happy with the over-all quality of my instrument.
I know you would like your flute by the 10th. But, I wouldn't play a full concert on a new wood flute. Break-in the wood SLOWLY. That will reduce the likelyhood of cracks. I've played on wood for several years, and the break-in period is THE most important part of instrument care. If you have questions about wood care and break-in, give me a shout.
I just played the Honegger, King David, and everyone loved the sound of the instrument, and it responded great for me while playing. I just need to get my playing back into shape.....BIG TIME!! I'm going to play the Honegger, Concerto da Camera with the woodie. Time to get some performing chops!
Orpheus Flutes
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
How funny! I had no idea he went by "craig" LOL.
I appreciate the tips, Master's 7. I guess it makes sense to break in the wood slowly to prevent cracks.
What kind of oil do you use and do you apply it only to the outside or also the inside of the instruments? Might be a silly question, but I honestly don't know how to take care of a wood instrument. I just know I love the sound.
You got a violet wood model, correct? The one I ordered is rose wood, but I did get a grenadilla head as well.
I appreciate the tips, Master's 7. I guess it makes sense to break in the wood slowly to prevent cracks.
What kind of oil do you use and do you apply it only to the outside or also the inside of the instruments? Might be a silly question, but I honestly don't know how to take care of a wood instrument. I just know I love the sound.
You got a violet wood model, correct? The one I ordered is rose wood, but I did get a grenadilla head as well.
Howdy!
Hey Briolette;
Yup, Craig and William are one in the same. No matter, he's been a solid dealer from my limited interactions. I'm still waiting for a case cover...LOL. But, I'll get it when it arrives from Asia. That's just how it is with international shipping and production.
I have the violetwood Artiste model. I'm very happy with my choice. From my experience, the rosewood will have a different response and resonance -core- than the granadilla or violetwood. I believe you will notice a difference between the grenadilla headjoint and the rosewood from the get go. Both have their place in performance practice.
All new wood flutes will have tight tenons. Apply a LIGHT DAB of cork grease to the "male" metal portion of the headjoint and bodyjoint tenons before assembly. This helps the headjoint and footjoint slide together with less friction. You DO NOT need to repeat this step each time you assemble the flute, just when it feels "tight" fitting together. Everything on a wood flute needs to adjust to being used. There are a few reasons for this lengthy process. There is a drying process needed before cutting the tone holes, rib fittings, etc. And, the cutting process dries the wood as well.
As for wood care. Start by playing the instrument 15-30 minutes per day. Play a variety of music. Wood "adjusts" to the stress it is exposed to -high, low, fast, soft, loud, etc. Ask Steinway about breaking in a piano soundboard! They'll tell you the same thing. Swab the instrument dry, and put it in the case after each session. Repeat this for the first week or two. The wood needs to absorb some moisture. After two weeks, apply a small amount of bore oil to a chenille type swab. LIGHTLY apply a coating of oil to the bore before playing the flute. Once you've played the instrument, use the regular swab to dry it out. I oil the bore once every 2-3 weeks -if I'm playing a lot. Otherwise, oil the bore every two months or so. It can take a few months to properly break-in a wood instrument. Be patient, it is worth the wait. The late Felix Skowronek gave me great advice on caring for my wood flutes.
Let me know when your flute arrives. Have fun.
Yup, Craig and William are one in the same. No matter, he's been a solid dealer from my limited interactions. I'm still waiting for a case cover...LOL. But, I'll get it when it arrives from Asia. That's just how it is with international shipping and production.
I have the violetwood Artiste model. I'm very happy with my choice. From my experience, the rosewood will have a different response and resonance -core- than the granadilla or violetwood. I believe you will notice a difference between the grenadilla headjoint and the rosewood from the get go. Both have their place in performance practice.
All new wood flutes will have tight tenons. Apply a LIGHT DAB of cork grease to the "male" metal portion of the headjoint and bodyjoint tenons before assembly. This helps the headjoint and footjoint slide together with less friction. You DO NOT need to repeat this step each time you assemble the flute, just when it feels "tight" fitting together. Everything on a wood flute needs to adjust to being used. There are a few reasons for this lengthy process. There is a drying process needed before cutting the tone holes, rib fittings, etc. And, the cutting process dries the wood as well.
As for wood care. Start by playing the instrument 15-30 minutes per day. Play a variety of music. Wood "adjusts" to the stress it is exposed to -high, low, fast, soft, loud, etc. Ask Steinway about breaking in a piano soundboard! They'll tell you the same thing. Swab the instrument dry, and put it in the case after each session. Repeat this for the first week or two. The wood needs to absorb some moisture. After two weeks, apply a small amount of bore oil to a chenille type swab. LIGHTLY apply a coating of oil to the bore before playing the flute. Once you've played the instrument, use the regular swab to dry it out. I oil the bore once every 2-3 weeks -if I'm playing a lot. Otherwise, oil the bore every two months or so. It can take a few months to properly break-in a wood instrument. Be patient, it is worth the wait. The late Felix Skowronek gave me great advice on caring for my wood flutes.
Let me know when your flute arrives. Have fun.
Flute oil
Hey Briolette;
The oil is meant to be used on areas that get "wet" during playing. As the interior is exposed to moisture, it will swell/expand at a greater rate than the exterior. This is why you oil only the interior(bore). Oil is primarily a moisture barrier. There is one exception to this rule. The inside of the embouchure and lip plate get wet. It is OK to oil these areas. Try not to oil the headjoint tube, just the plate. Oiling the exterior of a wood instrument happens after a year or so. Then you will apply a small amount to the surface, then wipe it dry.....or close to dry.
Let me know when your flute arrives. Just like any instrument, each one has it's own quality.
The oil is meant to be used on areas that get "wet" during playing. As the interior is exposed to moisture, it will swell/expand at a greater rate than the exterior. This is why you oil only the interior(bore). Oil is primarily a moisture barrier. There is one exception to this rule. The inside of the embouchure and lip plate get wet. It is OK to oil these areas. Try not to oil the headjoint tube, just the plate. Oiling the exterior of a wood instrument happens after a year or so. Then you will apply a small amount to the surface, then wipe it dry.....or close to dry.
Let me know when your flute arrives. Just like any instrument, each one has it's own quality.
Ah...that makes a lot of sense.
No flute yet. I'm thinking average completion time is more than 2 month then, eh? I do hope the quality is good and that my perstering Craig hasn't caused the quality to be lackluster. I can't help but be antsy.
I did purposely get the grenadilla and rosewood heads because I wanted to maximize tone colors. Sigh...waiting waiting!
No flute yet. I'm thinking average completion time is more than 2 month then, eh? I do hope the quality is good and that my perstering Craig hasn't caused the quality to be lackluster. I can't help but be antsy.
I did purposely get the grenadilla and rosewood heads because I wanted to maximize tone colors. Sigh...waiting waiting!
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atoriphile
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:35 pm
- Location: Washington, DC
I recently purchased a grenadilla flute from Orpheus Flutes on eBay. The item description says that "Orpheus Flutes are made to order and usually ship within 30 days." Should I be worried that it might take 10 weeks or more? That's more than twice as long as I was expecting! On the plus side, shipping is free.
I bought the flute based on the positive feedback other buyers had left for grenadillapic (William Marlowe), as well as Masters7's recommendation. Also, the price couldn't be beat.
Another important piece of info is that according to the Larry Krantz Flute Pages at http://www.larrykrantz.com/sections.htm , Carolyn Oh is principal flute for the Washington Symphonic Orchestra (in D.C.) and listed as "ass1/pic" is none other than William Marlowe!
BTW, Yamaha has some good info on caring for grenadilla instruments at http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product ... /index.htm . I don't know how much of this would apply to rosewood or other wood types, but you might want to take a look.
I bought the flute based on the positive feedback other buyers had left for grenadillapic (William Marlowe), as well as Masters7's recommendation. Also, the price couldn't be beat.
Another important piece of info is that according to the Larry Krantz Flute Pages at http://www.larrykrantz.com/sections.htm , Carolyn Oh is principal flute for the Washington Symphonic Orchestra (in D.C.) and listed as "ass1/pic" is none other than William Marlowe!
BTW, Yamaha has some good info on caring for grenadilla instruments at http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product ... /index.htm . I don't know how much of this would apply to rosewood or other wood types, but you might want to take a look.
Hey astoriphile, after contacting the prior Ebay winners who purchased Orpheus flutes, on average, it has taken around 10-12 weeks for them to get their instruments. Last time I spoke to him, there has been lots of back log due to christmas and as of yet, my flute is still on its way to the states. I also learned that the flute needs a long steady break in time to really mature in sound (thanks to Masters7) So, make sure you plan accordingly.
Hopefully Marlowe will be able to get more professional flautists to endorse the Orpheus flute. I'm assuming if he is 1st assistant flautist, he's busy and doesn't have my time to do much campaigning so it makes sense that Carolyn Oh would be one of his first big customers. Again, it's a relatively new brand so time will tell whether or not it'll enter into the ranks of pro-instruements.
I can say though he's one of the nicest and most patient ebay sellers around, so I have faith this will be a good instrument.
Hopefully Marlowe will be able to get more professional flautists to endorse the Orpheus flute. I'm assuming if he is 1st assistant flautist, he's busy and doesn't have my time to do much campaigning so it makes sense that Carolyn Oh would be one of his first big customers. Again, it's a relatively new brand so time will tell whether or not it'll enter into the ranks of pro-instruements.
I can say though he's one of the nicest and most patient ebay sellers around, so I have faith this will be a good instrument.
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atoriphile
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:35 pm
- Location: Washington, DC
It still hasn't come in yet. 
*sigh*
It's been 3 months now so I wrote him a quick note. I suspect the factory is going to ship them in bulk to save on cost, but yeah, still waiting. He said he was waiting on several when I last wrote to him. I just pray they don't get my order wrong because I will cry a river if they do!
*sigh*It's been 3 months now so I wrote him a quick note. I suspect the factory is going to ship them in bulk to save on cost, but yeah, still waiting. He said he was waiting on several when I last wrote to him. I just pray they don't get my order wrong because I will cry a river if they do!
I just got word from the seller. It gets mailed out tomorrow. I am *very* excited.
In other news, I sent one of my other flutes out for a tune up and got a message from the repair man that he had to "refit" my headjoint. It did fit loose and now it fits more snugly, but I swear the sound has changed some. I don't know if I'm paranoid, but when I look on the inside of my headjoint, the base of the tube is rough. I'm a little confused since I didn't ask him to do anything to the headjoint (just wanted a tune up). What should I do?
In other news, I sent one of my other flutes out for a tune up and got a message from the repair man that he had to "refit" my headjoint. It did fit loose and now it fits more snugly, but I swear the sound has changed some. I don't know if I'm paranoid, but when I look on the inside of my headjoint, the base of the tube is rough. I'm a little confused since I didn't ask him to do anything to the headjoint (just wanted a tune up). What should I do?
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flutepicc06
- Posts: 1353
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm
Well you should at least bring it up with him. If he did work without your consent that you feel has had a detrimental effect on your flute, he needs to take responsibility for that, and either put things right (if possible), or if what he did is not reversible, he owes you a new head/flute. If he had discussed it with you, and told you the risks and benefits (whenever a head is fit, it can change the way the flute plays), then there would be no problem, but since he didn't even call to consult you, it's his responsibility. I would also be more wary of him in future when other flutes need work.briolette wrote:I just got word from the seller. It gets mailed out tomorrow. I am *very* excited.
In other news, I sent one of my other flutes out for a tune up and got a message from the repair man that he had to "refit" my headjoint. It did fit loose and now it fits more snugly, but I swear the sound has changed some. I don't know if I'm paranoid, but when I look on the inside of my headjoint, the base of the tube is rough. I'm a little confused since I didn't ask him to do anything to the headjoint (just wanted a tune up). What should I do?
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
flutepicc06 wrote:Well you should at least bring it up with him. If he did work without your consent that you feel has had a detrimental effect on your flute, he needs to take responsibility for that, and either put things right (if possible), or if what he did is not reversible, he owes you a new head/flute. If he had discussed it with you, and told you the risks and benefits (whenever a head is fit, it can change the way the flute plays), then there would be no problem, but since he didn't even call to consult you, it's his responsibility. I would also be more wary of him in future when other flutes need work.briolette wrote:I just got word from the seller. It gets mailed out tomorrow. I am *very* excited.
In other news, I sent one of my other flutes out for a tune up and got a message from the repair man that he had to "refit" my headjoint. It did fit loose and now it fits more snugly, but I swear the sound has changed some. I don't know if I'm paranoid, but when I look on the inside of my headjoint, the base of the tube is rough. I'm a little confused since I didn't ask him to do anything to the headjoint (just wanted a tune up). What should I do?
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I would be furious if that happened to me. I would definately take it up with him. Then, if it wasnt put right, I would stop business with him, and not recommend him to anyone..... [but of course I get rather hot tempered and hold grudges sometimes..... so this might be a bit extreme for you]