Bansuri, Curly Maple, Key of E (tonic A). For domestic sale only*
$299.00
Curly Maple (dyed) with African Blackwood lip plate.
Listen below to the incomparable Joshua Geisler demonstrate a raga on an Ellis bansuri in E.
-
The African blackwood lip plate on these flutes is a rosewood and therefore falls under the CITIES index. Future bansuri will be made with polished black ebonite (natural hard rubber) lip plates.
-
There have been many recent changes in the CITIES regulations. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade for certain species through a system of permits between custom inspections at both ends of the supply chain. This provides extra measures to ensure that various species are protected so that international trade does not threaten their survival. Most species of Rosewood have been added to the CITIES appendix. Not all of them are endangered or even seriously threatened, but many are facing potential over-harvesting that might ultimately endanger them, so their trade is being restricted.
As a result, even artisans like myself who have stockpiles of flute woods that were acquired pre-CITIES now require special permits to ship instruments made from these woods outside of the U.S. These permits are costly and cumbersome, and having them does not guarantee that the international customer will not have to negotiate certain complications on their end when it comes to receiving such woods. Therefore I am limiting sale of all rosewoods to customers within the U.S. who face no restrictions and require no permits to purchase. I have very limited stockpiles of rosewood species and I do not intend to acquire any more, even though the permit process does still allow commercial trade in these woods.
Bubinga Basketmaker, Key of Bflat (for right-handed player) Domestic sale only!
$275.00
Bubinga Basketmaker, Key of Bflat (right-handed).
Sorry, the only sound sample available is in the key of A below. This will give you a close idea of the sound and range of the flute, if not the exact pitch.
Dut to the CITIES restrictions on certain types of woods, this flute can only be shipped within the U.S.
Compact Xiao, Curly Douglas Fir, Key of D (tonic G)
$475.00
The new compact travel xiao is a one-piece, shortened version of the classic xiao. I simplified this design to make this a more practical option for players who want to experience the xiao and who like the ability to conveniently travel with their flutes. The shortened version was achieved by eliminating the extra length and the tone hole matrix that is a feature of the classic bei xiao. The tone hole matrix on the full length xiao adds stability to the root note and enhances higher harmonics. To compensate for their absence, the bore is back-reamed at the foot to enhance the stability of the root.
Listen below to Scott August demonstrating a xiao in D.
Curly Black Walnut Xiao, Key of D (tonic G)
$475.00
Rich and lustrous Curly Black Walnut, key of D (tonic G).
Listen to Scott August demonstrating the xiao in D below.
Curly Douglas Fir Basketmaker, Key of A (for right-handed player)
$350.00
Visually stunning Curly Douglas Fir Basketmaker 2.0, dyed a golden brown to accent grain. Key of A. This is a very rare wood and the last time I saw any was in 2007. I recently acquired a very few boards of this beautiful wood and will be using it for some select flutes while supplies last. When it’s gone, it’s gone!
Curly Douglas Fir Basketmaker, Key of A (for right-handed player)
$350.00
Visually stunning Curly Douglas Fir Basketmaker, dyed a golden brown to accent grain. Key of A. This is a very rare wood and the last time I saw any was in 2007. I recently acquired a very few boards of this beautiful wood and will be using it for some select flutes while supplies last. When it’s gone, it’s gone!
NEW! The Essential Flute, Bocote, Key of D
$399.00
The Essential Flute is ideal for both Celtic music and World music of all kinds. Diatonic major tuning. Featuring a tapered head bore for improved intonation and projection. Ergonomic embouchure hole placement for right-handed player.
The finger hole spacing on the D tuning may not be as comfortable for players with smaller hands, in which case I’d recommend the key of Eflat.
Listen to the amazing Blayne Chastain demonstrate the flute in the sound sample below.
NEW! The Essential Flute, Cumberland Ebonite, Key of D
$499.00
Visually stunning Essential Flute in D, made from Cumberland ebonite (see comments below). The Essential Flute is ideal for both Celtic music and World music of all kinds. Diatonic major tuning. Featuring a tapered head bore for improved intonation and projection. Ergonomic embouchure hole placement for right-handed player.
The finger hole spacing on the D tuning may not be as comfortable for players with smaller hands, in which case I’d recommend the key of Eflat or F.
Listen to the amazing Blayne Chastain demonstrate the flute in the sound sample below.
For players unfamiliar with ebonite, I strongly encourage you to read my blog entry on the subject. It is a truly amazing material for woodwinds of all kinds, and it is all-natural (not plastic or synthetic). Waterproof, stable and demonstrating superior acoustic properties.
Making ebonite is as much art as science, and colored ebonite is very expensive (but worth it!). My cost for materials for a flute of this size is $100 per piece, so the price of the flute reflects this.
Shakuhachi, Bocote, 1.8 Key of D
$425.00
Gorgeous Bocote shakuhachi in the key of D. Players have different weight preferences for shakuhachi. Bocote is on the heavier end of the spectrum.
Listen to world flute master Peter Phippen improvise on Ellis shakuhachi below.