History of the 19.5K

19.5k with 14k mechanism

We had a chance to look at the 19.5k flute "launch event" in a previous post, but this week, we came across some of the original programs from the event.  Since the event included a recital by Powell artist Paul-Edmund-Davies, the program listed the repertoire he performed and a couple of notes about the specifications of the 19.5k flute.  However, the program also came with a special note by Powell's President, Steven Wasser, about Powell and the development of the 19.5k as you will see below.  The event took place at the Harvard Club in Boston on June 7, 2003.

Changing the Status Quo

How do we make changes to Powell instruments while protecting the traditional qualities for which our instruments are known?  In other words, why change what's not broken?

All our instruments share certain Powell family characteristics, most importantly, the "Powell Sound."  But in a world that is constantly changing, maintaining the status quo is tantamount to going backwards.  Yes, we have an artistic tradition that must be protected, but we also have a responsibility to test the limits of materials and technology.

What makes a Powell flute special is that we, as an organization of people, have a shared artistic concept about what we want a Powell flute to be.  While this shared concept has been modified over time to reflect changes made possible by technology and the demands of customers, it remains remarkably intact from the day Verne Powell founded his flute making shop in 1927.  

Everything we do at Powell -- whether it involves a new design, a new tool, or a new technology -- is always evaluated against the question, "What does it do to the Powell Sound?"  If it leaves our sound unchanged or enhances it, we proceed.  If we feel it detracts from what we want our flute to be, we go back to the drawing board.  Over many years, these numerous small decisions have become a complex system of values, tooling, designs, and attitudes that collectively account for the uniqueness of our instruments.

Why 19.5k gold flutes?  It was an "accident."  Our supplier found that the 18k rose alloy we had been ordering was so difficult to work with that they simply refused to make it any more.  Instead, they suggested a 19.5k rose alloy they had developed.  We thought the 19.5k alloy might be interesting, since higher karat gold alloys are denser, and because density is generally regarded as desirable with regard to flute acoustics.  In order to test a 19.5k gold flute, we had to buy a large amount of gold -- body tubing, sheet for lip plates, casting grain, post wire, various sizes of tone hole tubing, rings, crown rod, and more.  It was a risk, but there was no way around this if we wanted to hear what a 19.5k gold flute sounded like.

We're here today because we like the results of our 19.5k endeavor.  You are the beneficiary of the chance we took.  Listen to the music -- try the flute.  See whether you like this change in the status quo.

Steven A. Wasser
President, Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc.

Event Program

Inside the cover

First page: Status Quo Note

Bottom of the page

Last page

10th Anniversary of the 19.5K

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 19.5K Rose Gold Handmade Custom Flute, which was introduced to the public in a very special event at the Harvard Club in Boston on June 7, 2003.  The special black-tie event at the Barlett Room of the Harvard Club featured French Music performed on the new 19.5K flute by Powell Artist Paul Edmund-Davies.  When it was introduced, the 19.5K Custom was available with a 19.5K body and 14K mechanism or a 19.5K body and silver mechanism.  The model with the 14K mechanism was priced at $29,800, and the model with the silver mechanism was priced at $20,100.  In its first year on the market, the 19.5K came in a handmade French-style Moroccan leather case and special accessories designed by Wirkkala designs, including a hand-carved wooden swabstick, a flute mat, flute cover, and a Cross pencil.  The flute and accessories were all presented in a velvet drawstring pouch.

Powell was the first flute maker to offer the 19.5K gold, and Powell's President, Steven Wasser, felt the new gold option offered "many of the characteristics of a platinum flute while maintaining the warmth and subtle colors of gold."  The 19.5K joined a list of metal options for Powell Handmade Custom flutes, which in 2003 included silver, 10K gold, 14K Aurumite, 14K gold, and platinum.  Introduced with two metal options for the mechanism in 2003, today's 19.5K is available with a sterling silver, 10K yellow gold, or 14K rose gold mechanism.  As the price of precious metals has increased since 2003, the price of a 19.5K today would be quite different than it was in 2003.  You'll want to check with your local Powell dealer for exact pricing, although today's prices for the 19.5K would range from around $39K to $59K, depending on options.  If you're in the market for something of 19.5K gold but aren't quite in the position to get a flute, Powell does offer (as with all their metal options for bodies) the headjoint only.  If you've never tried a 19.5K Powell, you should!  Check it out -- it may be the perfect flute for you...

*Note - Quote and event details from article in MMR Magazine, August 2003