This page will show you a little about the way we make
historical flutes and give you some facts and figures.
Since 1984, we have been making about 50 instruments a year for performers,
collectors and students all over the world. We both trained as musicians,
and developed an interest in making historical flutes independently before
we began working together.
The ingredients for our instruments include boxwood from England, ebony
from Sri Lanka, other exotic woods from other places, silver, brass, plastic
imitation ivory, mineral and linseed oil, steel, and measurements of original
instruments.
The boxwood is at least three centuries old before it grows big enough
to be quartered for flute parts. Here's how long that is: the wood we
use is as old as or even older than many of the original instruments we
replicate. Those originals, in their turn, were made from wood that was
growing in the late Middle Ages.
Our two-person workshop is conveniently located in our back garden,
a short walk from our home and office. We refurbished the building
with an eye to its special purpose: in winter a radiant-heat brick
floor heats us and our machines and retains warmth from sunlight.
We make our own tools to reproduce as faithfully as
possible the dimensions of original instruments. In
the center of this photo is a reamer for cutting part
of one model's bore. For the flute to play satisfactorily,
the bore must be accurate to within 0.1mm--that's about
2 thousandths of an inch, or somewhat less than the
thickness of a human hair. Since a new flute changes
this much or more when it is being played-in, it's important
to re-ream new flutes in the first half year of their
life to keep them sounding well.
