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About.

Welcome to my new website. I am a flute maker based in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Ireland. I have a long involvement in traditional Irish music (I am a keen flute player) & began woodturning (attaining the City & Guilds qualification) & making simple cylindrical keyless polymer flutes around 2003 mainly as a hobby.  I was fortunate enough to make my first wooden flute (an African blackwood keyless Rudall & Rose copy) in Cambridge in 2012 under the expert guidance of Robert Bigio (highly respected flute maker & Author of 'Rudall, Rose & Carte, The art of the Flute in Britain' & 'Readings in the History of the Flute'.) Following on from that in 2013 I obtained a place on the much renowned 'Woodwind Instrument Making & Repair' course in Newark on Trent UK, a full time three year specialist course (attracting students from around the world) which covers all aspects of woodwind instrument making/repair in very great detail, running alongside a separate two year course in engineering practices providing invaluable instruction in using the various techniques & machinery involved in woodwind instrument making and specialist toolmaking.

Now having set up my own workshop, I am very happy to be offering my own flutes based on some of the best examples from the original historical makers (Rudall & Rose/Boosey & Co.). With careful adjustments to certain measurements to bring into modern pitch A=440 and optimized for playing Irish traditional music. My flutes have a full and balanced tone throughout two & a half octaves, feature excellent intonation and minimal air requirement to fill, with a strong bottom D. I offer instruments in selected African blackwood & Mopane (a dark reddish tropical hardwood), & 'Delrin' (Acetal Polymer) which is a fantastic alternative to the tropical hardwoods, being an extremely dense and rigid polymer used in many engineering applications being known for its toughness & durability (& being almost indestuctible!). The tone of the Delrin instruments is almost indistinguishable from the wooden equivalents (it is turned by hand & machined in exactly the same way as wood from solid rod).It is also impervious to the elements (no need to worry about moisture/temperature/risk of splits) & requires virtually zero maintenance (no oiling/swabbing out etc). If you are interested in any of my models please feel free to contact me to discuss any questions, options, pricing etc. You are welcome to visit me at my workshop near Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, Ireland (by prior appointment please).

Thanks!

Damian Thompson (Flute maker).

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I offer a choice of three models, available in D, E flat and C.

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                                      The 'Student two piece' model.

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The 'Student two piece' model. A tunable two piece design incorporating a lengthened headjoint  & one piece (tapered bore) body with a Delrin tuning slide. Slightly shorter and lighter than the other models. An extra joint in the body can be added to any 'Student' model for 50 euros.

Only available in Delrin (a polymer).

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In D or E  flat with nickel silver rings 350 euro

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In C  with nickel silver rings 375 Euro

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                                              The 'Rudall' model.

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The 'Rudall' model. Based on a flute  by Rudall & Rose, medium/large tone holes & bore, the body is in three sections. Nickel silver tuning slide. An extremely well balanced & responsive instrument. Available in African Blackwood & Delrin.

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In D or E flat 

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African Blackwood (with sterling silver rings) 790 euro

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Delrin with sterling silver rings 590 euro (without rings less 50 euro)

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In C

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African Blackwood (with sterling silver rings) 860 euro 

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Delrin with sterling silver rings 630 euro (without rings less 50 euro)

 

 

                                             The 'Pratten' model.

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The 'Pratten' model. Based on a flute by R.S Pratten & Boosey & Co. with larger tone holes & less 'complex' bore giving a more powerful tone, with a two piece body. Nickel silver tuning slide. Available in African Blackwood & Delrin.

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In D 

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African Blackwood (with sterling silver rings) 790 euro

 

Delrin with sterling silver rings 590 euro (without rings less 50 euro)
 

 

 

Wooden flutes

Supplied with a hard case. Sterling silver rings are fitted as standard.
Selected African blackwood usually available (from sustainable sources). Mopane or Boxwood may also be available.

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Delrin (polymer) flutes

Supplied with a soft carry roll up pouch.Nickel silver rings are an option.

Availability.
Delrin flutes estimate  @ 6-10 Weeks.
Wooden flutes estimate @ 5-7 Months.

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All models (except the all Delrin 'Student two Piece') come with a nickel silver part lined headjoint/barrel with a (nickel silver) tuning slide.

All rings are hand hand forged.

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Tone holes can be 'off set' (for those with smaller hands) on all models at no extra charge.

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Please note that I am currently unable to offer keyed flutes whilst upgrading my workshop equipment. Keyed models will be available again in due course.

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A deposit of 20% is asked for when placing an order.

Payment through Paypal or BACS (Bank Transfer)

A 14 day trial/refund period is offered after delivery if you are not happy for any reason whatsoever.

A full 12 month workmanship guarantee is also provided.

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Shipping (Worldwide available, tracked & signed for) at cost.

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Updates:

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Update February '18- Video added to the gallery of James Murray of Tubbercurry, Co Sligo playing two jigs on a Delrin 'Rudall' model.

Video also added April '18- 'The Green Mountain' (Reel) played on three Thompson flutes.

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August '18 More videos added! Just go to Gallery & hit 'Video'

 

Update June '18- New 'Two piece' model flute.

NEW MODEL INTRODUCED!  brand new all Delrin (tunable) 'Student two piece' student model. Tuned to D (A=440)  the 'Two piece' model is a simplified two piece design in Delrin incorporating a lengthened headjoint (to include what would normally be the separate barrel section) & a one piece tapered bore body section (following a 'Rudall' profile). The single (Delrin) tenon on the body has been slightly lengthened & thinned to work in the same way as a conventional metal tuning slide. Thinning the tenon this way helps to reduce any disruption inside the bore when the headjoint is pulled out for tuning purposes. This would not be possible on a wooden flute as the risk of cracking would be too great. It works perfectly with Delrin. My aim in introducing this new design is to be able to offer a well made, responsive & in tune instrument at an affordable price for those whose budget does not extend further. The same care & attention to finish is given to this flute as all my other models (being precision machined from solid rod stock by myself & worked by hand in detail ). The same amount of time is taken over the embouchure cut/undercutting of tone holes, intonation & voicing of the flute.It is essentially just stripped down of any extra features & being all Delrin is reasonably quick & economical to make.. A soft carry pouch is included in the price of Euro 300 (plus shipping). Nickel silver rings can be added for an extra Euro 50 (total Euro 350). Pictures in the 'Gallery' (& across right). An Eb and C version of this design are now also available. The same headjoint can accommodate D/Eb & C body sections. Additional body sections are available to purchase separately please message me for more details. An extra joint in the body can be added (to any 'Student two piece' model) for an additional 50 euros.

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March '19- Flutes in E flat now available!

All my models are now available in the key of E flat (as well as D).

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Summer trip July 2019 Ireland!

I am in Ireland from July 7-29 2019 and will be in attendance at;

Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay Co. Clare July 7-13

South Sligo Summer School. Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo July 14-20

Joe Mooney Summer School, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim July 21-28 

I will have a selection of flutes available to try for anyone interested, send a message on the 'contact' page, or call me, now or at the time, cheers!

 

February 2020.

I have now relocated to Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

 

July 2020

Flutes in the key of C now available.
 

June 2021

Wooden Whistles now available

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Links:

https://www.facebook.com/thompsonflutes/

Robert Bigio http://www.bigio.com/

Newark woodwind course clarinet making video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D76nBZ02WOo

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