Vintage W.S. Haynes, solid silver, 100% USA-made, flute, fully reconditioned and a superb player! serial #8694
Wm. S. Haynes solid silver flute number 8,694 ( 1925 ). FRENCH (OPEN HOLE) keywork to low C, in-line G, extruded tone-holes, flat pad cups.
Constructed with .018 silver tube (foot and body), head is .016. French (open) keys, inline G and C foot
Sounding length is 601 mm (A=440), the embouchure measures 10.1 X 12.0, giving the instrument a wonderful feminine voice. Please note that the head has not been shortened or altered in any way. The flute plays well at 440 pitch, not 435.
Total weight is 423 grams. All pads and corks are new or close to it. The 1920's case is original.
Verne Powell was vice-president of the W.S. Haynes firm until 1926 and flutes from that early "Boston Golden Age" have a voice that is unique...full, dark, and wonderful. We’ve been told that Powell cut the embouchures and did the engraving on all flutes from the early to mid 1920’s.
The 1923 Haynes catalog notes that there had been recent interest in French models and so, in October of that year was born the first “French”. One flute was made in 1923 and 29 the next year, 31 examples were produced in 1925.
We note that #8694 has been played very little since new: keywork is still tight, the engraving to the body and head is still sharp.
The instrument is not for every flutist, of course. But we quite like the way it performs and feels. It's a totally comfortable and beautiful lady in whom we have no hesitation in giving our full recommendation.
****GR/Wichita
HG