'Roy Benson' Open Hole Flute

This flute is 'New, Old Stock', bought in at around the turn of the century. It has never been in a show case and has only been played for a few minutes. It has always been in its well fitting case and carton. The plating is perfect. I have smartened it up with a silver polishing cloth. However, it is a little discoloured where I has not been able to reach it. I did not want to remove the mechanism.

This is a flute model that has a stronger following in Europe and the USA (apart from professionals) than in the UK. The mechanism is standard for open hole flutes... The G is not off set and there is no 'split E'. A set of soft plastic plugs is provided for players new to open holes, or to make playing possible if an injury makes a finger plaster necessary. I do not recommend this model for a novice, particularly a young one. Open holes are very unforgiving of untidy finger action. After an initial shock to the system, I would expect an experienced player to appreciate the more open sound and quick response the open holes produce. Be prepared for the sound you hear being a little different. An open hole flute talks more directly to your right ear! My advice is to save the plugs for an emergency. 'Grasp the nettle', and make a complete break from a covered hole flute.

This flute was made in China. The 'Roy Benson' name is not well known in the UK. It features on instruments distributed by GEWA, a German music wholesaler. The quality is much better than that of the generic Chinese student flute that dominates the internet. This one is well built and decently silver plated. The base metal is different, being much more like silver than brass in appearance. The holes are very precisely drawn and the bore true. The pads are well fitted and are concentric with the holes.