Flute Cases
A beautiful instrument deserves the protection of a beautiful
fitted case. We offer a handcrafted flute case in Tasmanian Blackwood, a fine Australian
hardwood, with quality
lining materials.
These cases are built for me specially by Ken Free, of Freestyle Design.
You'll notice that the corners are box-combed to give great strength, and
the edges rounded to make the case pleasant to carry. The top and
bottom panels are let in to slots in the sides. They are solid wood,
not plywood, and are not glued in, and can thus move with the weather.
This form of construction is known as frame & panel, and is seen in fine
cabinetwork. It is the furniture equivalent to my New Improved Tuning
Slide - it works with nature rather than trying to outmuscle her.
The catch and hinges are solid brass (not sheet). Tasmanian Blackwood is
clearly not black. The bark of the tree is black, which is how it got
its name.
The flute is cradled in an insulating foam tray, individually cut for it, and
held in place by quilt batting inside the lid. The case thus offers
considerable protection against high temperature should the flute be
inadvertently left in a car or near a heater.
The fabric is panne velvet, and can be readily replaced by the owner if it
becomes soiled. We are at the mercy of the fashion industry in the
choice of colours, but if you have a preference, we'll do our best to meet
it!
Economy flute case
If your budget doesn't run to one of Ken's Freestyle Design cases, or if you
are on the go a lot and need a more "knockabout" case, our Economy case might
suit you better. These are based on the typical Boehm flute case, but are
relined to hold your particular flute. The cases are light but strong, weighing less than 500gms
(0.5Kg, just over 1lb).
The lining approach used is the same as for the Free-style cases, except the
space is divided into two sections rather than three.
There are a few limitations when you try to shoehorn a wooden flute into a
metal flute box. For example, it's not possible with three-piece flutes
such as my integral feet models. But it's fine with any of my models, keyed or
keyless, with a
removable foot.
Cheaper still?
If your budget doesn't run
to a custom case, consider a plastic pistol case, available from sports stores for
only $20 or so.
As a Texan customer once told me, "We keep our flutes in pistol cases, so as
not to arouse suspicion... ".
Cleaning stick, improved.
Our own design, it
removes all the moisture from the area around the stopper. And has
stopper location rings suited to wooden flute. Made from 10mm acetal rod, it
cannot scratch the bore and is strong enough to push the
stopper out if it gets jammed. For more details:
The Improved flute cleaning rod
Next, about Ordering a flute ...
Or, back to McGee Flutes home
page...
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