This lovely flute was made by Alfred Bull in 1919. The body is ebonite, the keywork silver. It plays at modern pitch A=440.

The flute was extensively renovated by us in 2021, at which time we tightened the keywork, including the replacement of the thumb and RH silver tubing, and repadded. The flute has seen only moderate use since then and remains in excellent playing order.

We have seen an increasing interest in Rudall Carte's ebonite flutes. The company began to manufacture in ebonite, which is a vulcanised rubber, for flutes that were used in countries where the weather is hot and humidity changeable, since ebonite does not crack in such difficult conditions. But actually players everywhere valued ebonite for its sound, which is warm, powerful, and slightly more direct than wood, and it was preferred for these qualities by some of the finest players of the time.   

Today ebonite is making a comeback as we face  heatwaves and sharp winters, and the humidity in our rooms becomes dry with air conditioning and central heating.

This flute, having been brought up to excellent order in 2021, is a very good example of what ebonite has to offer. It  plays easily, the headjoint is excellent, and the mechanism feels tight and responsive under the fingers. Comes in a fitted case.

Please  contact us if you require more information or wish to purchase a flute.

We will send you an invoice with details of how to pay by bank transfer, IBAN, etc.

Selling your flute

Find out more about Selling Your Flute.