The Rudall, Rose or Carte Models Study Questionnaire

A research project to determine how the 8-key flutes manufactured by the various combinations of Rudall, Rose and Carte varied throughout the lifetime of the company.

If you have, have access to or know someone with a flute made by Rudall and colleagues, contact me with the information below. I'll be very pleased to acknowledge your support in this important study.

Identification issues

If different parts of your flute bear different company names, addresses or serial numbers, indicate which sections bear which data.

Measurement Issues

If available, use a vernier callipers for measurements. If not, use a good metal or plastic rule in favour of a wooden one for better accuracy.
Measurements in millimetres are the most convenient, but any other unit will be happily received.
Finger holes are often not round on old flutes. The diameter "along" the flute is usually fairly accurate, the diameter "across" the flute is less accurate due to shrinkage. Either measure both and express as 7.3 x 7.1 or just measure along and express as 7.3.
Measuring from the top of a section to the centre of a finger hole or the embouchure hole is tricky. You might find it easier to measure the length of the tenon, then measure from the shoulder to the near edge of the hole, measure the "length" of the hole, then add the first two measurements to one half of the third.
If a crack runs through the embouchure hole, artificially widening the hole, indicate this with an estimate of the width of the crack.
If there are any signs of later modification, please indicate.
If you cannot supply all of the information, please supply what ever you can.

What information do you want?

GENERAL

The serial number(s) stamped on your instrument:
The company name(s) stamped on your instrument
The company address(s) stamped on your instrument
Anything else which might suggest a date for the instrument

The current owner's name
Who measured the instrument
Form of your name for acknowledgement (e.g. Terry McGee, flutemaker, Malua Bay, Australia)
The device used for measuring (e.g. rule, vernier calipers)

The timber of which the instrument is made (or its colour if not known)

Overall lengths

The Sounding Length (centre of embouchure hole to end of flute, slide closed)
The C#-D# Length (centre of LH1 hole to centre of Eb key pad on foot)
Emb to A (centre of embouchure hole to centre of LH 3 hole, slide closed)

HEADJOINT

Total length of the headjoint section (not including metal slides or the cap)
The centre of the embouchure hole to the bottom of the headjoint.
The length of the embouchure hole (measured along the flute)
The width of the embouchure hole (measured across the flute)

BARREL

The length of the barrel (not including any metal slides)
Slide protrusion (how far the metal slide protrudes from the wood of the barrel)

UPPER BODY

The total length of the upper body (including the tenons)

The distance from the top to the centre of the C# hole
The distance from the top to the centre of the B hole
The distance from the top to the centre of the A hole

The diameter of the C# hole
The diameter of the B hole
The diameter of the A hole

LOWER BODY

Its total length including lower tenon

The distance from the top to the centre of the G hole
The distance from the top to the centre of the F# hole
The distance from the top to the centre of the E hole

The diameter of the G hole
The diameter of the F# hole
The diameter of the E hole

FOOT JOINT

Its overall length
What is the lowest note available on the flute

KEYS

The total number of keys, defined as the number of places to press, not the number of pads
The keys are made of Silver, Nickel Silver, other?
The body keys are flat plate, pewter plug, "saltspoon", low round cup, other style?
The Eb key is the flat plate, pewter plug, "saltspoon", low round cup, other style?
The bottom keys are flat plate, pewter plug, "saltspoon" , low round cup, other style?
Keys are block mounted, pin mounted, other?

OTHER FEATURES

Indicate any features of your flute which set it apart from a "typical" 8-key, e.g:

a "Patent Head" headjoint (turning the cap extends the tuning slide)?
a Bb key with two touches?
a second upper C key operated by ring keys on C# and B?
Other unusual features?

BORE AND OUTSIDE DIAMETER INFORMATION

Bore and outside diameter information has not been made a subject of this study as it presents too great a difficulty for most owners to measure. If however you have or can take such measurements these will be gratefully accepted. It is anticipated that an ensuing study will extend into a comparison of the bore dimensions of the various models identified in this study.

Terry McGee, Flutemaker, Malua Bay, NSW Australia

Contact me for any other information.

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