As a result of experiments specified and commissioned by me, I found that the replacement of the usual cork assembly in the head of the flute with stoppers made out of a variety of metals, can improve the tone (including its flexibility) and responsiveness; furthermore there are, in the experience of the player, marked differences between different metals. The experiments were started in 2002 and from 2003 onwards have continued at a much reduced rate. The acceptance of metal stoppers is increasing - so far those made out of zirconium have been the most commercially successful. Metal crowns can be added to advantage.
A stopper is a simple and easy-to-install improvement to any flute head. Simply remove the crown and cork stopper from your head, fit the new stopper, fit the new crown. The difference in sound and response can be surprising.
A titanium stopper and crown give a distinctly brighter sound compared with a cork assembly and the instrument seems to be more responsive particularly in the second & third octaves.
In my article in the March 2003 issue of "Pan" which embodied the results of my initial experiments (there is a link to that article on this site) I wrote" For high aerobatics I suggest that titanium is the best solution". I am using a different instrument to that which I was using for the tests reported on in the "Pan" article but that remark still holds good.
The gold coloured crown is made of titanium but is coated with titanium nitride which gives it this colour; this coating does nothing to the sound but is attractive, hard and scratch resistant. I can supply these items at the following prices:_
Prices: Titanium stopper £60 (approximately $100 or Euros 70)
Titanium crown £115 (approximately $193 or Euros 135)
(normal colour)
Payment using PayPal or credit cards is accepted.
Stoppers and crowns in zirconium and other metals such as niobium & tantalum are also available.
Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 8788 1331
Email: dasymington@hotmail.com
