Rudall & Rose no. 4372

A Rudall & Rose 8-key flute in cocuswood, number 4372, with the firm's patent head, silver tenon linings and silver socket liners. The flute is stamped Rudall & Rose, Southampton St, Strand, London, with the serial number, and it comes in its original case, which has room for two head joints, along with a signed certificate of authenticity.

It is a fantastic player. This is a small-hole Rudall, with hole 4 at 8 mm, yet it has good energy and power and a nice, strong bottom D. The smaller holes make it a session-worthy flute for players with smaller hands, and it makes a great modern player for Irish traditional music. It plays at A440 with the tuning slide extended about 13 mm, give or take with the player, and the intonation is excellent. The foot keys work really nicely, and the pewter-style plugs benefit from a light touch of oil now and then; a clear, non-staining sewing machine lubricant such as Liberty's works well. A drop occasionally keeps the seal airtight and the low C and C sharp sounding nice and strong.

The patent head is a mechanism in the crown that moves the head joint cork as the tuning slide is set. If you have not played one before, one caution matters: the slide is adjusted by twisting the crown, which moves the slide for you. Never push or pull the tuning slide by hand, and never let anyone else force it, because the mechanism does that work.

The flute was restored by Jem Hammond. The work included crack repairs, restoration of the patent head, leather pads, spring repair and setting, and cork bumpers.

About the Maker

Rudall & Rose was founded in London in 1822, when the flutist George Rudall and the flute maker John Mitchell Rose went into partnership. Richard Carte, a student of Rudall's, became a partner in the early 1850s, and the firm became Rudall, Carte & Company in 1872. Rudall & Rose is arguably the most influential firm on the flutes made today for Irish traditional music, and many modern makers base their instruments on its designs.