A SUPERB SOLID GOLD FLUTE WITH  SILVER KEYS, FROM THE VERNE Q. POWELL WORKSHOP,  “HAND-MADE CUSTOM” SERIES, MADE IN BOSTON IN 1994.
SOLD NEW BY OUR SHOP IN JANUARY, 1995.
 
NOT "AURUMITE", BUT SOLID 14K gold, silver keys.
 
From the Verne Q. Powell workshop, “Handmade Custom”, serial number 9098, soldered tone-holes, in-line G, B foot.
 
Sounding length is 632 mm.
 
Total weight = 463 grams.  Silver keys (est) = 140 grams.
 
Estimated weight of body = 220 grams.
 
Gold tube with silver tone-holes;  End-cap (crown), tenon / socket rings, embouchure, all solid gold.
 
A = 442, "modern Powell" pitch.
 
*** Powell's website does not quote a price for a similar instrument. Our estimate is $50,000 to $55,000.
 
*** A bit of our personal history with the firm....
 
Verne Powell sold his small flute workshop in 1961 to a quartet of long-time workers: Ed Almeida, Ed Machon, Richard Jerome and Elmer Waterhouse. From that time until the 1986 purchase by Harvard MBA-graduate Steven Wasser, the Powell company was dedicated to building flutes of the highest quality. In the pre-Wasser years, only two models were produced: the “Handmade” and the so-called “Commercial”, the former based on the classic French instruments of the previous century and the latter loosely patterned after the work of Theobald Boehm.

Handmade Custom” models (as they are called today) were considered “top of the line”, with soldered tone-holes, key arms extended over the pad-cups and without stack-key adjustment screws. The Commercials were built with flat pad-cups and wore adjustment screws. And the tone-holes were always extruded from the body tube.
 
 ***It might be interesting for flutists to read a bit of business history that our firm enjoyed during the “Wasser years” with Powell.  Opinions expressed herein are only mine and do not reflect the quality of the superb musical equipment now being produced by Powell.***
After thirteen years with the Boston W.S. Haynes establishment,  Verne Powell founded his own firm, located but a short distance from his previous employer.  From the beginning, the minuscule shop was devoted to the production of a limited number professional-quality flutes of the highest quality.
 
Two models were offered to the musical community:  the so-called “Handmade French”, based on the Paris instruments of the Louis Lot workshop and the flute we now know as “Commercial” models, patterned on the work of Theobald Boehm and William S. Haynes.
“Handmade Custom” models (as they are called today) were considered “top of the line”, with soldered tone-holes, key-arms extended over the pad-cups and without stack-key adjustment screws.  The Commercials were built with flat pad-cups and wore adjustment screws.
 
Verne sold his small shop in 1961 to a quartet of long-time workers:  Ed Almeida, Ed Machon, Richard Jerome and Elmer Waterhouse.  From that time until the 1986 purchase by Harvard MBA-graduate Steven Wasser, the Powell company continued to create flutes of the highest quality.  In the pre-Wasser years, only two models were produced:  the handmades and the so-called commercials.
 
Steven A. Wasser,  a clarinet player with an MBA degree from Harvard, acquired control of the company in 1987. 
 
The “2100” model soon replaced Powell’s “Commercials”, the former made entirely in Boston and with (as we called it) “Danish Modern” keywork.  The flutes looked modern, were competitively priced and played quite well.   Regretfully, production ceased a few years later. 
2002 saw the introduction of Wasser’s “Conservatory” model flutes.  Designed, as the name states, for advanced students.  We quite like these instruments which, I believe, are still in production.
 
I’m not quite sure why Mr. Wasser next came up with the “Signature” model flutes, but I do recall conversations with him in which I questioned the difference between the Signatures and the Conservatories.  In any event, there was quite a difference in price between the two.  We did discuss the keywork between the two models and I vividly recall a conversation about the source of those parts that Steven was using on the Signatures.  I don’t think I ever got a candid answer to my concerns.
 
In any event, the flooting public should be informed that the best Powell models in those years were (top to bottom and by price) the “Handmade Custom”, the “Conservatory” and the “Signature”.  On-line postings today sometime confuse these models.  The looks are, of course, similar.
 
The introduction of the Sonare flutes, confused clients even further.  I was disappointed that Steven had elected to use the same Powell name of the Sonare instruments.  I had, still have, no major issues with the Sonares, did mention to Steven that I thought it ill-advised to use the name of a (previously) professional instrument on those flutes marketed for student use.  But that was only my opinion and our Mr. Wasser pretty much ignored the same.
 
And that’s enough said about my early contact with Steven.  Powell is now owned by Buffet-Crampon and high-quality instruments are still being produced by them.  My short essay on the various models are to hopefully educate internet buyers on how the early Powell-Wasser flutes compared to each other.
 
*** 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 a-flooting in our shop means you’ll have half a dozen or  more artist-quality flutes, many 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.
***  And please allow me one more comment  about this magnificent instrument.  I kindly request that a perspective buyer not make me a  "low-ball" offer.  The flute plays wonderfully, has a personal history with me.  I'm perfectly happy to reserve it for my own use.   Thank you!
*****GR/Wichita
 
HG