Announcement
Come see me at the Richmond Makers Market on Nov 4th. I will debut several new types of 3d printed tin-whistles with hand carved plastic and metal bodies, maybe a few with bamboo tubes?
No international shipping.
All of my bamboo flutes are drilled and carved using concentrated sunlight focused through a handheld fresnel lens.
I have started limiting my bamboo pieces picked from local groves to dried yearling shoots: these first-year stalks are lighter and airier than a fully grown stalk with branches and leaves. The material is more delicate in that it's easier to damage with rough handling; as a trade-off these new flutes are much less likely to crack due to humidity and moisture. Many pieces have speckled or spalted grain patterns. Each flute is slightly different. There are still a limited supply of old-grain flutes; keep in mind that heavier pieces need more climate control and occasional oiling and toasting.
The entire pipe used to make you a plastic flute will last for an eon in your friends, in your food, in clouds. Wouldn't you rather pay for a bamboo pipe and a cardboard shipping tube?
The largest flute I can play is 2/3 as tall as I am. Fittings can be scheduled in-person to explore a personalized ergonomic design.
I have four other jobs and shipping costs have gone up. Thank you for being understanding of price increases.
Reviews
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Sean on Oct 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsGood craftsmanship. Nicely cut holes and good quality pipe used for the flute. Not many people willing to make such large bass flutes on Etsy and I would recommend one from Alex.
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Margaret on Oct 14, 2018
5 out of 5 starsI've tried a number of these very long/low simple system flutes. This is the first one that played easily and on pitch. Very nice. The reach is on the long side but not a serious problem. (I'm 5'4".) This is for the PVC version of the instrument.
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About SolarFlutes
Flutes made with the sun
Shop members
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Alex Pettit
Owner
Alex Pettit has been carving simple flutes from bamboo and plastic pipe for nearly 20 years, self-taught from the internet. In addition, he engineers solar arrays, maintains kiddie rides and photobooths, and plays music for small crowds and his bird.
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