My ADSL is back! It only took 15 days for the Telco to repair it...

I had promised some time ago to post some pictures of the old wood flute I received in June. Now I have them. I could not take pictures from closer, as the camera has no macro function. Hope they are clear enough.

The two photos are here:
www.maderkraft.com/img/flute.jpg
www.maderkraft.com/img/flute_disassembled.jpg

I would love to be able to play it but it does not sound. I took it to my teacher but she could not make it sing.

Sorry I have so many questions...:

- Can anybody identify what type of instrument is it?
- What could be its value?
- It has two cracks (one in the head and one in the barrel). The keys do not operate correctly and the pads are almost gone. Does it deserve to have it repaired?
- Repairing this type of instrument is a job for a normal good technician or for a specialist on old instruments?
- Any idea of how much could it cost to have it repaired?

Thanks a lot for your most welcome and valuable opinions!

It looks to be a pretty typical Baroque/simple system flute. Those cracks are probably major contributors to it's lack of playability. It's value depends on maker, condition, material, rarity, and age, and unfortunately, I am no expert in simple system flutes. There are however experts out there, and some people still making them (Terry McGee for example), who I am sure could help you with value. If it has sentimental value to you, it may very well deserve to be repaired (if it can be). Economically it may not make much sense, though. Simple system flutes are not terribly uncommon (they were the standard for several hundred years), and ones without cracks and keys that operate generally sell in the couple hundred dollar range (for your middle of the road, average flute that needs a little work). If you do decide to have it repaired, a competent tech most likely could handle the work, but you'd have to discuss this with your tech first to be sure. Cost will also vary from tech to tech, and upon how much work needs to be done, so also consult on price. Hope some of that helps!

Sorry Lera, the links seem to be working for me and for others who have replied. Please try again it could be the server was down the moment you tried. If you still cannot see the pictures, I could mail them to your email box. Just let me know.

Alieanny, there no marks whatsover on the instrument. I have looked with a magnifying glass. It does seem to be a "simple system" flute with 5 keys, probably made in France around 1860.

Flutist06, thank you for your valuable comments. It does have a sentimental value for me, as it is a gift from a good friend, too far away. I will check with a reputed local technician in Spain to see if I can afford the restoraration.

<Added>

Lera, the links are pictures on JPEG format. You should be able to see them in your browser (but a normal graphic browser such as MS Explorer or Firefox)

Hola Jose Luis,

This simple system flute looks like it has a lot of French influence (5 keys, small holes) but in the same time it does not have the G# key going under the C key like all French flute I know have. The G# key on your flute is more in the German fashion. Also the French flutes have an independant foot when this one has the right body and the foot in one piece, here again the German way. It does not look like an English flute.

I cannot tell based on your picture: does the metal tube in the head going all the way through? Can you see it when looking down into the embouchure hole? The French flute have a partial lining: the metal tube is not going all the way into the head but is only a couple of inches inseted into the head. The thinking was that metal could damage the tone if too close from the embouchure hole.

The style of the rings is very interesting. It looks...American, and not German or French! I think it could very well be a flute made in the US or in the Americas around 1860, inpired by a French flute design.

Those flutes are usualy very robust and it probably can be restaured to playing condition.

Patrick

Jose Luis,

My answer to your other questions:


- Can anybody identify what type of instrument is it?
see my previous answer

- What could be its value?
Between 100 and 200 euros on Ebay.

- It has two cracks (one in the head and one in the barrel). The keys do not operate correctly and the pads are almost gone. Does it deserve to have it repaired?
Probably yes, those are minor issues

- Repairing this type of instrument is a job for a normal good technician or for a specialist on old instruments?
A technician familiar with clarinet could do it I think. However it will probably cost you more than the commercial value of the flute.


- Any idea of how much could it cost to have it repaired?
It will differ widly depending on the technician. Probably more than 100 euros (my guess)

Regards,

Patrick

Thanks Patrick.

The head is completely lined with metal inside. I can see it through the embouchure and from the crown side. Though the head wood has a long crack, there is no leak there because of the metal (I tested it). The barrel is also cracked and lined with brass; but the crack extends beyond the lining into the tenon receiver and there is a leak there (though could be closed or partially closed by the body tenon when it is in place).

The body has three keys and the foot (which is as long as the body) has other two keys. Each part (body and "foot") has three holes to be closed by fingers. These two parts are not cracked and are not lined in metal.

The pads (what remains of them) seem to be of leather or some sort of compresed tissue.

I'm sorry Lera, but I think you must be mistaken. That flute really looks nothing like a recorder, nor does it even remotely resemble the English modified simple system flutes (like those used by Nicholson). It is undoubtedly a hand made flute, as mass production of musical instruments was not prevalent until the 20th century, and this flute (from the information Jose Luis and Patrick have provided) predates this. It's also extremely difficult to machine make wooden instruments, as wood takes special care and is easily damaged comparable to the nickel silver used for mass produced student flutes made today.