Hi Ed,
Ive been playing these flutes for approx 8 to 10 yrs off and on...I just began making some a yr ago. Basically Ive been using what Lowes has ...the oak and poplar. I get wood 1 1/2 wide x 3/4" thick 30 " long depending on what flute Im making..I rout a 3/4 or 7/8 half round in two pieces and then glue them together.....Then after drying I have been taking the corners off with a 45 deg bit (wood will be in hexagon shape now)and sand sand sand........Ive been learning on this part...Now I have changed somewhat on this and plane the thickness down to 1/8 or so and then sand...Planer saved a lot of work....(I even now have another router bit that will shorten this even more and bring me closer to a tube than the other steps but Ive got to do some experimenting .Anyhow after getting the general flute shape I shape the mouthpiece...These are flutes that you play using your embrouchere...sort of like blowing across a drink bottle...And then you drill your holes a certain size and location tuning as you go......
A friend in Charlotte did give me some different woods.......Makore known as African Cherry too, canary wood, purpleheart and ambrosia maple. I have also used some flamed box elder I bought from a saw mill in Texas....very beautiful wood...I will post some pics when I get a chance but basically these are simple tubes and it takes a bit to learn to play them..........Blessings Mike
