Felix Skowronek Headjoint and Wood Collection
Felix Skowronek (1935-2006) was a pioneer in the revival of the modern wood flute. His flutes of choice were those by Flutemakers Guild and Rudall Carte, both English companies. He also made his own headjoints using many uncommon species of Australia exotic wood. He experimented with Alexander Eppler on the design of the embouchure hole and the bore. The headjoints listed for sale below are from his collection.
FSG - Flutemakers of Australia (John Lehner) s/n S360 - Excellent condition, no crack, beautiful heavy wood, silver fittings and tenon, oval embouchure, configured for Rudall Carte wood flutes, removable tenon cover and tenon protector. Warm sounding headjoint on my Louis Lot wood flute. Acoustic length 5-7/8" (too long to be used on silver flutes), 120 grams. Sold.
FSJ - Felix Skowronek - Dark reddish wood with sapwood on the back, excellent condition, no crack, aluminum fittings, .013" brass tenon, experimental square-ish embouchure with cut-out in front. Beautiful sound, fast response, quite special. Acoustic length 4-1/4", 87 grams. $550.
FSA - Rudall Carte & Co Ltd - Cocuswood, thinned with carved lipplate, silver lined, a repaired crack along the back of the headjoint, silver fittings, oval embouchure. Unable to test for lack of a body that would fit. Acoustic length 6-1/8", 109 grams. $500.
FSE - W.S. Haynes - Grenadilla, silver fittings, a few repaired cracks, embouchure reworked by Skowronek. Very rich sound. Acoustic length 6-1/8", 126 grams. Sold.
FSO - Felix Skowronek - Brownish wood with moderate open grains, extra length on the left side of the embouchure hole, a small repaired crack near the tenon, aluminum fittings, .014-.015" brass tenon, embouchure with cut-out in front. Brilliant sound, fast response. Acoustic length 4-3/8", 89 grams. $550.
FSF - Rudall Carte & Co Ltd - Ebonite, thinned with carved lipplate, not lined, silver fittings, color has faded over the years, oval embouchure. Very good sound. Acoustic length 6-1/8", 84 grams. Sold.
FSC - W.S. Haynes - Grenadilla, silver fittings, a few repaired cracks, original embouchure. Very rich sound. Acoustic length 6-1/8", 122 grams. Sold.
Felix Skowronek Cocuswood Collection
(Sorry, sold out!)
The cocuswood available for sale here is part of a large collection of wood species accumulated by the late Felix Skowronek (1935-2006) throughout his productive life as a flute performer, teacher and instrument maker.
I have sorted the pieces by size and, more importantly, by feasible yield when turned. Cutting cocuswood from a log into squares is a delicate balancing act of choosing between maximum length and maximum width while avoiding knots, cracks, sapwood and other undesirables. Many of the pieces here are cut larger than the actual wood that is available. Some cracks or knots are present. Sapwood is left on for later removal. The prices reflect potential yield.
Please look at the pictures and descriptions carefully. Some pieces will yield two short wider pieces or one long narrower piece. Most of these pieces have flaws of one kind or another, or need to be recentered for maximum yield. You may be able to avoid the undesirables depending on the sizes you need. There is much usable wood in each piece for the right project. I am available to answer any questions and take additional photos. If the wood does not meet your requirement after inspection, please let me know within 3 days and return them for a refund. Shipping cost is not refundable and you will be responsible for the return shipping as well. Wood that has been cut cannot be returned.
Shipping will be via Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. Shipping cost will be calculated once orders are received.
Please direct all inquiries to david at sideblown dot com, put "cocuswood" on the subject line. Payment by money order only.
For more information please e-mail david at sideblown dot com
