An Inexpensive NA Flute…
If you’re in the market for an inexpensive flute, I recommend checking out the Amon Olorin PF by Ken Light. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something that’s low-priced, and/or durable and portable. You can hear a sample on the Sound Files page on this site. Here’s a short review I posted on the NA Flute Forum after I got mine in April of 2006:
I was a bit skeptical about this, but wanted to give it a try. I mean, it’s plastic. There was a link here on the forum a little while back by Dura-Flutes. I checked out the website and they don’t sound too bad for $40-$45. Although, you can detect a hint of that “plastic” sound. They may sound better in real life though. They still don’t sound bad though.
I was interested in a plastic flute for a few reasons. No tuning issues with changing weather, durability for travel, and price are a few. I liked the idea of not risking a nice $150 flute on a trip - something I could just throw in the suitcase and not worry about.
I decided to go with the Amon Olorin PF because Ken Light is a well-respected builder and the PF comes with two keys (F# and G).
Well, I got it in the mail today and have spent about 30 minutes just playing around with it and must honestly say that I’m impressed. I really don’t detect any plastic sound at all. If I played them back to back to my wife with her eyes closed, I’d bet she couldn’t tell the difference between it and my Golden Eagle - honestly. There are a few things that sound a bit different, but overall it’s a very similar sound. I’m honestly happily surprised.
Now to the bad (and it’s not too bad).
First, it is plastic. And it looks like plastic. It’s not super-ugly or anything, but obviously there’s no grain, no character - just a few places where you can tell it was glued together and a couple of minor cosmetic imperfections in the plastic. Also the strap used to hold the block on is some kind of synthetic suede or something that’s only long enough to go around once. So, I may use something else to hold it on a little more snugly.
Second, the holes are a bit far apart. Both the F# and G flute bodies have holes spaced farther apart than my Golden Eagle. They’re both still manageable for me, but it will probably be a stretch for some with medium to small hands. The farthest stretch on the F# is to the last hole, and it’s almost 1.5″ from the next hole up, and I think the nearest stretch is around 1.25″. The G flute body is more manageable, but is still farther than my Golden Eagle. All of the holes are about the sames size.
Third, Ken uses a different fingering configuration than I’m used to. On his flutes, the octave note is apparently fingered OXO OOO rather than OOX OOO. And maybe it’s my ear, but the octave sounds slightly sharp. I should be getting a tuner in the mail next week, so I’ll check it then. This isn’t a huge deal, but the different fingering is something else to keep in mind when switching to other flutes.
Overall though, I’m very happy with it. It sounds much better than I expected, and I can see why he says on his site that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a PF and his cedar flutes from a sound clip. I think it even successfully handles the tongueing and breathing techniques used in flute playing. And although I didn’t try much, I think more notes are available in the upper register than I’m able to get with my Golden Eagle.
I’d recommend it as a “take with you” flute that you don’t feel like you have to be super-careful with, or as a first flute - if you think you can manage the reach. And if you don’t like it, you can send it back to Ken.
Obviously, these are just my thoughts and opinions and can’t guarantee you’ll feel the same way if you get one. However, I do think you’d be pleasantly surprised.
I’m not affiliated with Amon Olorin.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Jason, you’re dead on about all you said about the PF (I think PF stands for Plastic Flute?). I’m not only the happy owner of two PF’s but I own Ken Lights silver edition of the Waterspirit F# cedar flute as well as several of Odell Borgs flutes including his F3 Golden Eagle. First let me say that for about $130.00 you have four outstanding flutes in the most popular tunings (F#m and Gm) and you have both of them in the car at all times in a nice small package and you don’t have to worry about temperature or breakage.
I not only own flutes made by Ken and Odell, but I have made over 40 flutes myself and none of them sounds better than the PF’s. Regarding the octave note being a little sharp your correct yet many of the best made cedar flutes are also sharp on the octive base note regardless of the fingering. I find that you can play that note to its correct tuning by either over blowing or under blowing, but that octive note use as a thrill note and being sharp it sounds great! I have had other flute players play their cedar flutes one tone at a time while I play the PF right along with them and you can’t almost can’t tell that two flutes are playing, that’s how good the PF”s sound. I like the PF’s because you can play them above the 7 basic pentatonic scale with ease! I think everyone who is interested is taking up the nA flute should start with purchasing the Ken Light PF flute and I also have no affiliation with Amon Olorin Flutes By Ken Light.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Hey Jason,
Your review helped me gain confidence in the PF series. The first when it shipped to me, I was eagerly waiting for that first blow. And the first sound relaxed me completely since I figured its not a cheap plastic toy
I recorded a Travis Terry tune on it too. Sharing the link for anyone else who might consider buying the PF series
July 8th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Travis Terry’s tune on the PF series Gm: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4GWvIED63u8