Native Echo flutes are made of the highest quality components using state of the art tools to provide an heirloom quality instrument.
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The Wood Selection
As a flute maker, I have a profound respect and love
of nature and all things created in it. It's hard not to believe
in a creator when holding a Buckeye Burl flute in my hands. How can
a piece of wood be so beautiful? I believe the heart of the
flute begins with the heart of the flute maker. I asked for inspiration when
selecting wood. The exotic woods I use are harvested in ecologically
friendly way. The price I pay per board foot for these exotic
woods can be 400% to 1000% higher then most common woods used
by flute makers. The beauty of these woods command reverence
from those who hold these flutes in their hands and penetrates
their soul with their voice. Those that have held one in their
hands agree. |
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Single Piece Construction
All Native Echo Flutes are made of a solid piece of
wood that is never split to create the bore. This process allows
the flute body to remain intact, as nature made it. The longevity
of the flute also remains intact. No seams to split open at
some unknown future date. Split bore glued flute are much more susceptible to normal elements like the heat of a day or over night lows. As the ambient temperature changes up or down, the wood of the flute expands or contracts. This expansion or contraction can have an adverse effect on these glue seams. Having no glue seams in every Native Echo flute provides a clean, straight, consistent
sound chamber. Aesthetically, I also like not having any glue
seams showing. |
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Lathe
Next the flute is placed in a lathe and turned down to the desired wall thickness. This computer controlled lathe machines the flute within thousands of inch tollerance. Detail is carved into the flute body when desired. A Nest is then created to provide a flat spot for the Fetish. Now the True Sound Hole (TSH) and Slow Air Chamber (SAC) hole are cut and filed to perfection. This is an important component for a strong voice for the flute.
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Tuning
Now the tuning of the flute begins. Playing the flute
with no holes in it will play the flutes fundamental note. The
flute is played and a tuning meter tells me how flat the flute
is. The end of the flute is trimmed 1/16" to 1/8" and then played
again. This process is repeated until the perfect fundamental
note is in tune. Now the finger holes are laid out on the flute
body. Pilot holes are carefully drilled to provide a starter
hole to insure the holes are lined up left to right. Then all
the holes are drilled a little under a 1/4". Now each hole is
burned with a heated tool. Burning the holes to their final
size provides a clean tone to the flute. Each hole is burned
and tuned, one at a time. This can take about an hour to do
right. The first time through the scale, I tune the flute on
the flat side. Then when I'm all done, I start over again and
tune closer to perfect scale. |
Finish
The finish process is a trade secret.s Two options are available. First is a hand rubbed oil finish. This provides a natural look and feel. Second is a sprayed high gloss finish. The high gloss is by far the most popular when I go to shows. The natural is my personal favorite. You can have any flute made with either finish. |
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