Well, I was more confused than anything. I do need to speak to him though---the complication is that I've used him for about 10 years now. My flute teacher seems to think that he "fixed" it as a Christmas gift since there wasn't a charge for the refitting. Ugh. Otherwise, he's a really good technician. He was incredibly busy when I picked up my flute and I had another appointment to catch so I didn't speak to him then.
Awkward.
Orpheus Flutes
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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flutepicc06
- Posts: 1353
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm
I'd say it was a nice thought for him to "fix" it for free, but since you don't seem to have the same idea of what "fixing" is, that's a bit of a problem. I think it's great that you've been able to use him for ten years, but it is (at least on some level) a business relationship, and if he does something you don't like, then you have every right to break that off. Don't be afraid to let him know what you think just because you've sent flutes to him for 10 years...If anything, knowing him that long is more of a reason to talk to him. Good luck when you get the opportunity to speak with him...I hope everything can be put right without too much trouble.
Hey Briolette!
YIPPIE!!!!!!
Glad to hear the flute's on its way. Let me know what you think. Mine arrived in two days after I received notice from Craig. As for your technician, simply explain to him that you have found some "rough" areas on the end of the head-tube, and would like for him to burnish out the edges. Since these rough areas were not there prior to his refit, he should be a professional and comply with your request. And, explain to him that you PREFER "less friction" -not looseness- at the head/body tenon. Again, if he's a good tech, he'll comply with your wishes. I prefer less friction when putting the head/body together. I like the way my flute vibrates with this change.
Enjoy the new flute, and good luck with the technician.
Glad to hear the flute's on its way. Let me know what you think. Mine arrived in two days after I received notice from Craig. As for your technician, simply explain to him that you have found some "rough" areas on the end of the head-tube, and would like for him to burnish out the edges. Since these rough areas were not there prior to his refit, he should be a professional and comply with your request. And, explain to him that you PREFER "less friction" -not looseness- at the head/body tenon. Again, if he's a good tech, he'll comply with your wishes. I prefer less friction when putting the head/body together. I like the way my flute vibrates with this change.
Enjoy the new flute, and good luck with the technician.
Well, I had conversation with my flute tech. Since it was sort of a delicate situation, I first thanked him for the free fix but mentioned that it now doesn't easily fit on my other flute (sort of a lie, since I only use my Sheridan headjoint on my gemeindhardt these days...but it's a legitimate claim). Anyhow he apologized profusely, offered another refit (I declined, but asked if he could polish the base better for "less friction"--that's for the suggestion guys...) and mentioned on his own that he should have asked first but figured the sound would improve with a better fit, etc. etc.
As for the sound, in reality, it's fine. I think was paranoid when I first got my flute back but after playing on it off and on for the past few days, really there's no difference, so I can't complain. I also don't play on this particular flute as much since it is my "outdoor" instrument, but I glad we got the issue cleared up.
***
Okay, I've got my fingers crossed that the flute is waiting for me at home now. I can't wait to get home from work. Masters7, did you get a tracking number when Craig shipped your flute?
As for the sound, in reality, it's fine. I think was paranoid when I first got my flute back but after playing on it off and on for the past few days, really there's no difference, so I can't complain. I also don't play on this particular flute as much since it is my "outdoor" instrument, but I glad we got the issue cleared up.
***
Okay, I've got my fingers crossed that the flute is waiting for me at home now. I can't wait to get home from work. Masters7, did you get a tracking number when Craig shipped your flute?
Hey Briolette!
Hey Briolette!
Ask Craig for the tracking number. He'll email it to you. He sent my flute 2nd day. So, yours should be arriving anytime. You've been patient. One more day won't hurt....even though it doesn't feel that way...LOL. Let me know what you think. Enjoy
Ask Craig for the tracking number. He'll email it to you. He sent my flute 2nd day. So, yours should be arriving anytime. You've been patient. One more day won't hurt....even though it doesn't feel that way...LOL. Let me know what you think. Enjoy
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
Me too. It really was sort of an awkward situation. He meant well.
Okay, not flute yet.
Geeze, who knew I would be so impatient! I PMed Craig about a tracking number, but hopefully it'll get here tomorrow if he did send it out on Monday. Sigh...waiting waiting waiting.
I'll be sure to take pictures of it, give a run down of the specs and upload sound samples when I get it. I'm milking this for all it's worth. Heh.
Okay, not flute yet.
Geeze, who knew I would be so impatient! I PMed Craig about a tracking number, but hopefully it'll get here tomorrow if he did send it out on Monday. Sigh...waiting waiting waiting.I'll be sure to take pictures of it, give a run down of the specs and upload sound samples when I get it. I'm milking this for all it's worth. Heh.
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
Good. I am looking forward to it.
And it is also a good thing that you can talk to your tech about this sort of thing [even if you do have to pretty it up a little bit]. It shows trust between the two of you, and commitment. So, even though he did have to fix something, it at least lets him know that you trust him enough to come to him with any side affects of his work rather than have it fixed behind his back. And, in this aspect of music, it is good to have trust with the people that fix/ prepare the technical aspects of the art that we practice.
And it is also a good thing that you can talk to your tech about this sort of thing [even if you do have to pretty it up a little bit]. It shows trust between the two of you, and commitment. So, even though he did have to fix something, it at least lets him know that you trust him enough to come to him with any side affects of his work rather than have it fixed behind his back. And, in this aspect of music, it is good to have trust with the people that fix/ prepare the technical aspects of the art that we practice.
I definitely appreciate my flute tech. He's come through on emergencies on more than one occasion, so I can definitely overlook this misunderstanding.
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Okay, my orpheus flute is still not here nor have I heard back about a tracking number. I'm starting to get paranoid that it got lost in the mail.
***
Okay, my orpheus flute is still not here nor have I heard back about a tracking number. I'm starting to get paranoid that it got lost in the mail.
Hey Briolette!
YIPPIE!!!!!
Now that you have your flute, what do you think? The photos look great...nice grain on the body. And, I see you opted to try the grenadilla headjoint first. You said you have mixed feelings. I'm wondering if it is with the flute itself or with the extended wait time. Let me know what you think. Have fun!
Now that you have your flute, what do you think? The photos look great...nice grain on the body. And, I see you opted to try the grenadilla headjoint first. You said you have mixed feelings. I'm wondering if it is with the flute itself or with the extended wait time. Let me know what you think. Have fun!
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
long post ahead...
Hey Guys,
I played on it all night and well, I dunno. I'm a tiny bit underwhelmed to be honest. Maybe you guys can help me decide if this was a worthwhile investment for the cost.
First of all, the specs:
Price: $1649.00
Wood: African Rosewood with extra Grenadilla Head
Keywork: Pointed cups in Rose Gold over sterling
Offset G
Split-E
C# Trill Key
B Footjoints
Packaging: French Case with blue velveteen interior and nylon case cover, wood cleaning rod and polishing cloth included
Production Time: 14 weeks
***
THE GOOD:
The flute is finished quite well and I must say it is a beautiful looking instrument. Tonal color is fairly balanaced throught and I didn't notice any intonation issues.
Spring action on keys seem fine. They also feel a tad bit more slippery than I am used to (probably due to the gold plating) it isn't detrimental to technique. With that said, the keys are BIG (more below).
There is a difference between the headjoints. The Rosewood plays the lower notes with a much warmer tone with a decent amount of edge to it. I'm not quite warmed up here and my runs are clunky (again, more on that below), but you can get an idea of what it sounds like with the Rosewood head:
http://www.mediamax.com/cindyadzuki/Hos ... sewood.mp3
The Grenadilla provide a clear easy upper register---a little bit girly sounding. However, it is a plesant dulcet sound and I definitely don't get that type of timbre on my metal flute:
http://www.mediamax.com/cindyadzuki/Hos ... adilla.mp3
Again, forgive my asmatic breathing and clunky fingering...
I played on it all night and well, I dunno. I'm a tiny bit underwhelmed to be honest. Maybe you guys can help me decide if this was a worthwhile investment for the cost.
First of all, the specs:
Price: $1649.00
Wood: African Rosewood with extra Grenadilla Head
Keywork: Pointed cups in Rose Gold over sterling
Offset G
Split-E
C# Trill Key
B Footjoints
Packaging: French Case with blue velveteen interior and nylon case cover, wood cleaning rod and polishing cloth included
Production Time: 14 weeks
***
THE GOOD:
The flute is finished quite well and I must say it is a beautiful looking instrument. Tonal color is fairly balanaced throught and I didn't notice any intonation issues.
Spring action on keys seem fine. They also feel a tad bit more slippery than I am used to (probably due to the gold plating) it isn't detrimental to technique. With that said, the keys are BIG (more below).
There is a difference between the headjoints. The Rosewood plays the lower notes with a much warmer tone with a decent amount of edge to it. I'm not quite warmed up here and my runs are clunky (again, more on that below), but you can get an idea of what it sounds like with the Rosewood head:
http://www.mediamax.com/cindyadzuki/Hos ... sewood.mp3
The Grenadilla provide a clear easy upper register---a little bit girly sounding. However, it is a plesant dulcet sound and I definitely don't get that type of timbre on my metal flute:
http://www.mediamax.com/cindyadzuki/Hos ... adilla.mp3
Again, forgive my asmatic breathing and clunky fingering...
Last edited by briolette on Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
more on the flute...
THE BAD:
I'm able to color the sound easily on both headjoints. They're cut pretty much the same, but over all, I'd say the blow hole is really small and more ovalish compared to other flutes. Here's a side by side pic with my Sheridan:
Normally, this wouldn't be a huge deal, but the problem is that I'm going to have to drastically learn how to play with less air on this flute. I have a tendancy to over blow and my metal flute allows me to pack more sound into it. I think that's the trade off for the sweeter more effeminante sound.
I mentioned key action earlier....tis true I'm a little out of practice, however I did not consider how much larger in girth this flute is! First of all, the keys are a tad slippery because of the gold plating. But, the keys have to travel a great deal farther to close the tone holes. Hence, when I play, I'm not used to needing to press as much to get my runs in. Combined with the girth of the flute, my hands literally cramp up when I play:
I'm able to color the sound easily on both headjoints. They're cut pretty much the same, but over all, I'd say the blow hole is really small and more ovalish compared to other flutes. Here's a side by side pic with my Sheridan:
Normally, this wouldn't be a huge deal, but the problem is that I'm going to have to drastically learn how to play with less air on this flute. I have a tendancy to over blow and my metal flute allows me to pack more sound into it. I think that's the trade off for the sweeter more effeminante sound.
I mentioned key action earlier....tis true I'm a little out of practice, however I did not consider how much larger in girth this flute is! First of all, the keys are a tad slippery because of the gold plating. But, the keys have to travel a great deal farther to close the tone holes. Hence, when I play, I'm not used to needing to press as much to get my runs in. Combined with the girth of the flute, my hands literally cramp up when I play: