[zivley]

Hi, I have a question and I'm sure someone here will be able to shed some light on it.
I'm not too updated about the flutists world, but I like to hear them from time to time, and I've seen lately a lot of flutists that are using a flute that has a black headjoint, to me it seems to be kinda new trend, I never saw them before.
Is it a make/model of a speciffic flute or is it a custom headjoint that can be used on different flutes? If this is the case, is there only one manufacturer of those black headjoints or there are others?
Thanks,
Ziv

 

[RICHARD GARCIA]

These are most likely wooden headjoints. They provide a different tone, response, lip plate, etc. They are more popular now, so they have become more visible. There are many wood varities and manufacturers available now, and, yes they can be expensive. Flutists can apply all the same arguments for and/or against them as you will find in the mouthpiece forms on this site.

 

[zivley]

Thanks for the info, but I still wonder, if they're wooden, what is the thickness of the wood, because they look very slim, the diameter is equal to a metal headjoint, but metal can be very thin and still be strong, wood needs a little thickness to be resistant, but if the headjoint is thick, then the inner diameter of it would be quite smaller than a normal headjoint, isn't it a big influence on the sound?
Can you please name a few manufacturers of those wooden parts so I can read more about them?
Thanks,
Ziv

 

[RICHARD GARCIA]

I use a "Howell Roberts" rosewood headjoint as it is the same as my piccolo, and I prefer that type of lip plate and sound (just personal preference). As I mentioned earlier, just like this web-site illustrates that there is a whole world of sax enthsiasts, products, equipment, players, custom designers, etc. etc. so there is for flutists. There are many custom flute and head joint makers and craftsmen out there especially in Europe and Japan. If you think saxophones and mouthpieces are expensive wait until you check out the flute world.
Yes that "black" head joint looks cool and I get a lot of comments and questions about it, but it makes no sense to make that type of investment, unless you have a very good flute (expensive) to put it on, and you can justify that by having the chops and need for a rig like that. Thats just my opinion.
I know a guy that wrapped his flute head joint with black electrical tape because he liked the way Nestor Torres' flute looked ... so there you go.

 

[zivley]

I play the flute myself and I remember dreaming about buying a pro flute in the past, before I decided to give up my professional playing and started working on whatever payed my bills.
Today I'm not on that G.A.S about flutes, I still need to find a way to improve my flute, I still play on an old student Armstrong 104 which, to my taste, is not giving me what I want from a flute, I'm a bit more intermediate.
Nowadays I concentrate on tenor sax, so most of the little money I can invest goes to there, and less to the flute, but one day will come and I'll buy a better flute, but I won't be buying one of those custom expensive headjoints, I'm just interested in them as a curiosity.
I only can say that those that I've heard playing on them sound really nice, but I don't know if it's only because that headjoint or because they're really good players and the headjoint only adds an even better color to their playing...
Anyway, can you name a few brand names of the headjoints makers?
Thanks,
Ziv

 

[Dr G]

Here's a resource: http://www.flutesmith.com/headjoints/headjoints.asp

 

[RICHARD GARCIA]

Zivley, just Google "wooden flute head joints" you'll find a bunch, good luck!

 

[rhysonsax]

I was in John Myall's music shop in Croydon, South London last Friday. I was admiring the owner's sax collection and speaking with him about interesting new developments. He showed me his fascinating new composite flute called the Grenaditte.

http://www.flute.com.tw/en/products/...l&sid=31&id=41

Apparently all the body and key work are composite, it is all black, but the body rings a bit like metal if you knock it. It certainly looks tough and like a thoroughly well designed and made musical instrument.

I believe that the Grenaditte was deisgned by Geoffrey Guo (may be German) and Guo Musical Instruments is based in Taiwan. I think they may make headjoints as well as the complete flute, but the size of the fitting on the one I saw was non-standard for other flutes.

Rhys

 

[Dr G]

Gotta love the marketing department there - the "Executer" headjoint. :shock:

 

[zivley]

I was in John Myall's music shop in Croydon, South London last Friday. I was admiring the owner's sax collection and speaking with him about interesting new developments. He showed me his fascinating new composite flute called the Grenaditte.

http://www.flute.com.tw/en/products/...l&sid=31&id=41

Apparently all the body and key work are composite, it is all black, but the body rings a bit like metal if you knock it. It certainly looks tough and like a thoroughly well designed and made musical instrument.

I believe that the Grenaditte was deisgned by Geoffrey Guo (may be German) and Guo Musical Instruments is based in Taiwan. I think they may make headjoints as well as the complete flute, but the size of the fitting on the one I saw was non-standard for other flutes.

Rhys

Now that's a darn good looking flute!!!
I'd looove to try out one of these, and even buy one, the only problem is they cost around 2500 bucks, not something I need to spend on a doubling instrument...
But, as I said, everybody can dream...

 

[Chris Peryagh]

There's always the carbon fibre option: http://www.matitflutes.com/index.html

 

[zivley]

Of course, I don't have 2500 bucks to spend on a Grenaditte flute so you send me to buy a carbon fiber flute that costs 11000 bucks?