In addition to repairs, the Flute Center offers an extensive inventory of new and used instruments. A beginner can find a used student- grade instrument (usually made from a nickel-copper alloy) starting at US$175. A vault holds precious metal professional flutes ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 (or more, depending on the price of gold).

The material from which a flute is made influences its sound, owner Phil Unger says. This is not to say that gold, silver or platinum is better, he explains. It’s just that metals of different densities produce different overtone series and thus distinct tone colors. Even the material of the keys affects the sound of the instrument, he says.

“The piccolo player from the Boston Philharmonic came in looking for a piccolo with gold keys,” Unger recalls. “I pulled out six piccolos with gold keys. There’s probably no other place in the world where this could be done.”

“Jazz players tend to prefer flutes with heavier walls for a darker, gruffer sound. They gravitate toward the older flutes, like the ones William S. Haynes made in their Golden Era, the ’40s and ’50s.”

Over his years in sales and repairs Unger has amassed a personal collection of antique flutes. He scours the world for rare instruments by the 19th century Parisian maker Louis Lot, which are still considered the finest ever made.

Above: Phil Unger scours the world for rare instruments by the 19th century Parisian maker Louis Lot, which are still considered the finest ever made.

Below: A selection of precious metal headjoints from the Flute Center of New York’s inventory.

Atop his workbench-desk, which is rimmed with little bottles of glues and solvents, metalworking tools and a soldering iron; he places a leather case. Inside, resting on velvet, is a crystal glass flute with silver keys made in 1837 by Claude Laurent. In 1806, Laurent, a watchmaker and mechanic, patented a pillar mounting for the keys on his crystal flutes. This type of mounting is now standard for all woodwinds.

As Unger blows into the frosty, fluted tube, condensation from his breath turns the glass clear.

“There are very few of these in private hands,” he says Judith Herman is a writer and artist based in Southern California. Her articles and essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Verbatim, Underwired and other publications.

“Napoleon was given one. James Madison [America’s fourth president] received one as a gift from [French general] Lafayette.” Only about 40 of these flutes exist today. The U.S. Library of Congress holds 18, including the one owned by Madison.

“These are the rarest and most expensive flutes in the world and I am lucky to own one.”

Above: Phil Unger shows an 1837 crystal flute by Claude Laurent.

These photographs show the pillar key mounting Claude Laurent invented for his crystal flutes in 1806 is now standard for all woodwinds.

(Next time: Adventures and near disasters.)

Click here for Part 1

Click here for Part 3

Judith Herman is a writer and artist based in Southern California. Her articles and essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Verbatim, Underwired and other publications.
www.judyherman.com