Artley flute

[crgrbrts]

I, too, have high hopes. One thing bothers me a bit -- and maybe it shouldn't. The Wilkins I acquired was a post-Elkhart model, built in '73. It's been noted frequently that the quality of Nogales Artleys are less than those produced earlier in Indiana. I'm wondering if this applies to the Wilkins model, too. My flute does have some rough edges, but they could be from ham-fisted techs or owners messing with it for the last forty years. It'll be interesting to see what Rodger does with it. I have great confidence in his craftsmanship and care.

(NOTE: My suspicions about the Arizona Artleys may have been aroused by mere parochialism. I'm originally from South Bend, y'see).

Best,
Craig
Washington, D.C.

[jmdewey60]

In response to post by reygbautista on Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:24 pm, where he said:
"i was told by my flute repairman that the way to determine whether a flute is solid silver or plated is to hold the headjoint by itself and hit the headjoint with your finger, ifit sounded like bright and crisp, it is plated. if it sounded as mellow or dark, it is solid silver."
I think being make of silver is something a manufacturer of flutes would like to advertise so they will generally have that fact noted by some sort of stamping on the flute itself. That would be in regards to ordinary production pieces, and may not be true of custom or hand-made flutes where it should be assumed that they are only made from silver (unless it is gold, which is another matter entirely).

[eagle503]

Hello, I recently purchased an Artley Elkhart IND. flute with no model number below the name. It has the serial number 101889 , I think that puts it at 1962 but why no model number? It seems to play well in a low range but I am not a flute player so I don't know the note and scale. It sounds quite a bit lower than other flutes I have seen, could it be a bass model?

[pied_piper]

What is the assembled length of the complete flute?
Is it straight or shaped like a "J"?

[reygbautista]

hello! you can simply google the kinds of flutes, the c flute, piccolo, alto flute and bass flute. and even the contrabass flute. this will give the information whether what you are holding is a bass flute. flute manufacturers also have pictures of their c flute, alto flute and bass flute. hope this helps.

[eagle503]

The flute is strait not j shaped it is twenty six inches in length.
Thanks.

[pied_piper]

You have an ordinary C flute.

[crgrbrts]

Wilkins update: Since my last posting I sold my original "Arizona Wilkins" and replaced it with two Elkhart issues; a plateau model and an open hole one. The workmanship on both is noticeably better than the Nogales one. The headjoints are better sounding,too. The open hole Wilkins, from 1963, has a tone that is indistinguishable from my beautiful handmade, pointed key arm, French model Armstrong Heritage from the Jack Moore/Bickford Brannen/Tom Green days. Plus, the Artley's scale is more accurate -- on a par with modern instruments.

Best,

Craig
Washington, DC

[shannont]

I have an Artley flute that was my mothers and I'm wondering which model it is. My mother played in the sixties, and I've had it and played since the early eighties. I believe it was produced in 1964 (the serial # is 119139). There is no model description on the flute whatsoever, it simply says "Artley Elkhart-Ind. The headjoint has the # 139 printed on the bottom (reverse side from where it says "silver"). It is open holed, has a C-foot, and an Inline G. All three pieces are solid silver.
My mom is worried about letting my 9 year-old start playing on this instrument because she thinks it's worth a lot. It does not say Wilkins anywhere on it. I'd love to know the model.

[reygbautista]

for your reference.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5087515_histo ... lutes.html

[shannont]

I have gone through Ehow. It does not explain how to tell the model when it isn't imprinted on the Flute. It also never mentions headpieces with a three digit number stamped. Does anyone have any info on these items?

[kellyreid]

I just picked up an Artley 'The Wilkins Model' flute at a second-hand store. I usually try to find wooden flutes, but it was a pretty instrument with a nice tone so I bought it. After some cursory research it looks like Wilkins model Artleys are high-end.

All 3 pieces are marked 'Artley' in horizontal lettering, and the head joint says 'The Wilkins Model' below the Artley stamp. No mention of location.


On the foot piece, there is a 6 digit number (which I presume to be the serial) under the keys: 372737. The charts tell me that means it's from 1973 or thereabouts.

So, what can you tell me about what I bought today? I am not sure if I'll keep it (since I prefer woodens) or sell it or trade it, but I want to know what I have so I can make an informed decision. Is this indeed from 1973? Is it made of silver? silver-plated? If it's silver, should I polish it?

I can provide pictures if necessary.

[pied_piper]

The Artley Wilkins is a silver flute, but DO NOT polish it. That should only be done by a professional technician. Silver polish is a mild abrasive and the residue can work its way into the key mechanism and cause problems.

The Wilkins was a high end Artley flute meant to compete with Haynes and Powell, but it never really caught on as a professional model. It is a good, but not great flute.

[kellyreid]

Ok. Thanks for the warning. The more i handle this flute the less likely I am to keep it. Its poorly suited for Irish folk music so I think i will attempt to sell or trade it out. Any guidance on what its worth, where to sell it, etc?

[pied_piper]

A lot of variables affect its value.
Is it an open hole flute or does it have closed holes (plateau model)?
Other than being tarnished, what sort of shape is it in? (any dents, scratches, missing parts?)
Most likely, it will need to be repadded to put it it top shape and get top value for it, but it may be risky to invest that much in it. You may not get back what it cost.
Can you post pictures someplace?