Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Josh on October 16, 2012, 12:52:52 am

Title: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D (new flutes added pg 2)
Post by: Josh on October 16, 2012, 12:52:52 am

I just finished this one up tonight after I got off work. It is my first successful bamboo flute to date.  It is the largest and deepest flute I have made yet also. Most of the flutes I make are in the mid range in the keys of G and F#. I route the flutes on my router and jig I built and the biggest bit my router will take is 3/4" which limits how deep sounding you can make your flutes. (the larger or longer the bore size the deeper the flute becomes) So instead of buying a new router, making a new jig, and cutting out some new blanks I figured i would try my hand at making it from bamboo.

I split the bamboo in half lengthwise to remove the node from between holes 2 and 3 and then glued it back together with titebond.   I bound it tightly in leather in three separate places besides where the bird sits to hopefully help keep it from splitting.  The bamboo has been seasoning for about 2 years now so hopefully it will hold up.  Well what do ya think?   Thanks for looking!!!  :)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121015_210617.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121015_210642.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121015_210719.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121015_210658.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121015_210602.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 16, 2012, 12:56:16 am

Oh and here is a video in case anyone wants to hear what it sounds like.  Thanks again!

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/th_20121015_210327.jpg) (http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/?action=view&current=20121015_210327.mp4)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Pappy on October 16, 2012, 07:34:52 am

That is sweet Josh,nice work and sounds very nice also. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: DQ on October 16, 2012, 09:44:19 am

Amazing!  Thanks for showing.

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Wolf Watcher on October 16, 2012, 10:20:55 am

Josh:  Fantastic sound!  My favorite flute is a rivercane!  Thanks for sharing!  A/Ho Joe

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: coaster500 on October 16, 2012, 05:36:42 pm

That sounds great!!

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 17, 2012, 11:32:02 pm

I've got a friend who would absolutely love something like that. He sells and trades staves for a living. Would you be interested in making another for trade? I'd love to send one to him as a favor.

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 18, 2012, 12:00:01 am

Thanks guys!

Fred this is the first one from bamboo so not really wanting to trade one yet until I am sure the bamboo isn't going to split.  I usually make them from cedar and poplar if you'd be interested in one of my cedar or poplar ones I would be happy to trade ya one...  whatcha got for trade? I can post pics of those if you like.   :)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 18, 2012, 12:07:02 am

Josh, I'd love to see pics. My friend writes and publishes his own music. He said that he loves all primitive musical instruments. I just sent him a bamboo flute and he loves it. The bass would be a great addition.

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 18, 2012, 11:44:39 am

My tools only allow me to make mid-range F sharp, G, and A flutes at the moment.  Here are some pics of my work for you to see.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0337.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0336.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0339.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0348.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0347.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 18, 2012, 11:46:42 am

some more...


(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0467.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0466.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0465.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0463.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0462.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 18, 2012, 12:15:50 pm

oh and fred here is a song I wrote on one of my G flutes.

http://soundcloud.com/deftones3333/lake-storm

Hope ya like it.   :)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 18, 2012, 12:48:37 pm

Beautiful work. I sent you a PM. Any one of what you have pictured would be fantastic.

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: TRACY on October 19, 2012, 07:35:49 am

Very beautiful work Josh!


Tracy

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Keenan on October 19, 2012, 08:03:52 am

 Beautiful work Josh. I have made two flutes but I'm not real good at tunning yet. Lulyn got me an incredible "G" flute last month for my birthday and I love it. They are certainly soothing to play

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 19, 2012, 11:42:15 am

Thanks!  :)

Tuning is easy if you just take it slow! I bought a small hand held chromatic tuner that works great and I start by getting the fundamental note about 10 cents sharp first. (it will flatten out some as you tune your holes so it is easier to start out a little sharp)  Then I draw out where I want my holes to go and using a small drill bit drill out just the bottom hole first.  I gradually increase this hole's size until I get it in tune.  Then I drill out the next hole.  after you get the second hole in tune go back and check the hole below it because drilling a hole above will flatten the hole below it slightly.  bring it back up to perfect pitch.  Continue this procedure for all six holes and there ya go.  I usually spread my tuning on each flute out over a couple of days instead of trying to get the tuning in one sitting which greatly affects how close you can get it to perfectly in tune.  Hope this helps Keenan!

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: SA on October 19, 2012, 10:46:08 pm

those are sweet! i like the sound of the bamboo alot . i have a couple of bamboo flutes but they don't have any where near that rich sound, great job.

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Ben M on October 20, 2012, 11:20:14 am

I just have to echo what you've already heard:
Excellent work, and thank you for sharing! The heartwood cedar flute is gorgeous. I've never seen such a beautiful flute!

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 20, 2012, 11:40:44 am

PP, I agree. That cedar is one awesome looking work of art. 

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 20, 2012, 12:49:00 pm

Thanks a lot guys!  here are a few more pics if you want to see more of my work.

This one is made from Poplar the bird is Cedar and Poplar.  I like how this one has a black streak in the wood close to the mouth piece. 

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_094455.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_094446.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 20, 2012, 12:50:33 pm

This one is made from Spanish Cedar.  the top of the flute is a mixture of heart and sapwood although it is hard to tell in these pics.   The bird is Zebra Wood.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_094201.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_094211.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_094230.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D
Post by: Josh on October 20, 2012, 12:51:30 pm

This one is made from Eastern Red Cedar.  The bird is Zebra Wood.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_093859.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/20121020_093909.jpg)

Title: Re: New Bamboo Bass Flute Key of D (new flutes added pg 2)
Post by: Alpinbogen on October 21, 2012, 10:06:18 am

Those flutes and your playing are fantastic!  Thanks for posting this.   ;D