Another long story…
 
Having worked for a musical instrument shop since 1961, my clients often ask “when are you going to retire?”
 
I’ve had the same job for sixty-five years, of course.  Two reasons why I don’t follow their advice:  1) I enjoy a visit every day with my two sons, a grandson and six other fine folks; 2) every day I learn something new.
 
Several weeks ago I acquired a silver flute, hand-made from the Toronto workshop of Jack Goosman.  Must admit that I did not know him well, met him only once (as I recall) at an NFA flute show.  The flute in question is I believe, the first we’ve had for sale.
 
Goosman was born in 1945, joined the Verne Powell workshop in 1968.  In the late sixties, Powell was still a small firm, devoted to creating flutes of the absolute highest quality.  Yearly production was quite limited.  In 1968, only 134 flutes were built.
 
Internet info tells me Goosman was employed by Powell as a specialist in making head sections. In 1971 he made the decision to re-locate to Toronto.  Not sure why, might have had political reasons. In any event, it seems he did very well there, producing a small number of flutes and continuing with  making  sections. Heads were initially produced under his own name (maker’s stamp on the embouchure plate) and also  for  Powell.
 
A mystery here, though. Goosman is reported to have made fewer than one-hundred flutes. Our instrument bears serial number 171.  Was it one of his last instruments?
 
In any event, the last of his hand-made pro-quality instruments was said to have been made in 1987.  Goosman “invented” his patented “Butterfly head section”, found that it sold very well and appears to have stopped making flutes in favor of the more-profitable production of his unique head sections.
 
Goosman was, so I’ve discovered, unique in the fact that he was a performer of some quality, having studied with Bernard Goldberg and Marcel Moyse.  His flute production was supposedly influenced by the late sixties Powells as well as the early flutes from the Paris workshop of Louis Lot and his successors.
 
So enough about history.   I was offered flute number 171 with his “butterfly” head.  But I tried it with an earlier (seventies ? ) Goosman head that performed, for me, something like a “Golden Age” Powell…the model that was copied by Verne Powell in 1927 from an 1880’s Louis Lot.  That  means “equal to an older Powell, perhaps superior”.
 
Over the past three weeks, I’ve spent a great deal of time with the Goosman, comparing it, side-by-side, with five 1970’s Powells that are in my collection.  IN MY opinion, it is an absolutely superb artist-quality flootie, worthy of consideration by ANY particular player.
 
The measurements…
Silver tube is .014 inches thick;  Embouchure measures 9.9 X 11.7 mm;  Riser is relatively high at 5.1 mm.  Soldered tone-holes, pointed pad-cups, in-line G, B foot.
The flute weighs 438 grams and the sounding length is 635 mm.  That means it plays very well at 440 pitch.
 
Recommendations?  Not if you’re planning on being a member of the Berlin or Vienna orchestras.  But yes, PERFECT for adult amateurs or anybody else who appreciates the sweet and gorgeous tone-color of a Golden Age flute.  Don’t be afraid of it not being a Haynes or Powell.  Articulation is easy, lower register is just a little reedy and the upper register sings like a Met soprano.  I give it my highest recommendation!
 
The price is, in my estimation….reasonable. Based on the simple fact that my acquisition costs were not high.
 
Do write me for more information.  This one is a really special find…no jive!
GR/Wichita
 
HG

*** THE ACQUISITION of any pro-quality flute is a very personal decision.  And if there are too many variable, the musician is easily confused and frustrated.
Which means we invite you to pay us an in-person visit.  Wichita’s close to almost everything and a day’s flooting in our shop means you’ll have above four artist-quality flutes (soon to be five), all with French keywork, B foot and solid gold lip, to test.  
We’ll be delighted to welcome you!
***** AND....   Always in stock in our small workshop / sales room:
*** A selection of pre-Wasser Powell flutes
*** A small selection of "Golden Age" hand-made Haynes flutes, pre-DeVeau.
*** A handful of vintage 19th. century flutes, fully original and restored, not re-tuned or otherwise altered.
*** Plus....new flutes from Pearl, DiZhao and other firms.  ALL with our 24 year service warranty.