Handmade headjoints for metal flutes
The headjoint is the most important part of the flute. A handmade headjoint built with a different material and with a different embouchure cut will make your flute sound VERY different, without needing to invest a large amount of money to buy a whole new high-end flute.
They are made of ebonite that, unlike plastic, is made from natural materials and has a very similar density to African Blackwood (Dalbergia Melanoxylon), resulting in a comparable sound.
With this headjoint your metal flute will have a warm, dark sound, perfect for many types of music.
The embouchure hole
After years of tests and experiments, I´ve settled with an embouchure hole design with a mildly curved edge that aims to replicate the sound of the great old instruments from over a century ago, but with several modern adjustments to bring the performance to today´s standards.
It results in a warm, resonating and complex sound with a wide range of tone colors and possibilities.
It´s ideal for a variety of music, such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, traditional, ethnic, jazz etc.
The tuning slide
The tuning slide is made of brass or silver. The metal extends only 1,5 cm into the headjoint to reduce its impact on the tone.
The standard tuning slide diameter will fit a Yamaha flute body (diameter of about 19.78 mm) as well as most other brands.
Thanks to the dimensional stability of ebonite, it is possible to use hot glue to fix the metal to the headjoint body. This way the gluing process is easily reversible if the slide has to be replaced or modified to fit it to a new flute body with non standard diameter.
If you provide a precise measure I can also try to make it as close as possible to the right size, though ideally I would need the body of your flute to make a perfect fit, but if needed your local flute technician will easily be able to fit it for you.
The stopper
After experimenting with many different materials, I´ve settled with a hardwood stopper, which is kept in place with an O-ring. This approach was inspired by the work of flute maker and historian Robert Bigio. This is a modern concept that works very well and the O-ring can be easily replaced if damaged. The stopper doesn´t have a screw mechanism but can be pushed up and down with a rod. The reduced area of contact with the headjoint wall and the empty space between the stopper also helps providing extra resonance.
Prices 2024
- Black ebonite with brass slide: 650 euro
- Silver tuning slide: 100 euro
- Colored ebonite: about 100 euro (please inquire for options)
- Tracked shipping to Europe: 20 euro
- Tracked shipping worldwide: 35-50 euro (please inquire)
Please check the ordering menu for payment options.