Spotlight on Conservatory Stringing - Steels and Posts

We stopped by the Conservatory stringing area recently and met with Elzbieta ("Ella") Lenarczyk as she was fitting steels on the footjoint of a Conservatory Aurumite flute.  When we followed the 14k white gold Custom through production a few months ago, we saw the very same steel-fitting procedure being done by Dennis Williams.  If you didn't have a chance to see the video of Dennis, click here to watch the clip.

So, whether it is a Signature, Conservatory, or Custom, the steel-fitting process is the same -- and a very critical step to making sure the mechanism will perform properly  Ella must cut the steels to length, shape the ends, and make sure they run smoothly (and straight) through the posts.  In addition to reaming the posts so that the steels go through easily, Ella must also "face" the posts. You may have heard of facing tone holes, which makes them smooth, flat, and level so that the key pads will have a level surface to meet when keys are closed.  Ella faces the posts so that they will all have nice, smooth edges for the steel to run through.  She uses a small device that spins against the side of the post to create the facing.  When it comes to the end posts, they must be faced so that the end of the steel fits perfectly.  The steel end of the steel is shaped to conform to the shape of the end post, and the end post is faced so that everything is nice and smooth -- with no gaps.  Take a look at the photos below, and you will see an overview of the post facing process...

Reaming the posts

Red circle around end post and small facing device on steel.

Facing the next post. 

Removing steel to reposition facing device.

Repositioning to begin facing the left side of the second post.

The tool in Ella's right hand is used to remove the device from the steel. 

Grabbing device with tool to remove it.

Posts have all been faced.

Steel is in place and flush with the faced end post!

Signature Spotlight

Thinking about purchasing a Powell flute but afraid that it might not meet your budget?  We understand that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to flute prices -- and options!  Also, hand craftsmanship is not limited to Powell Custom models, either, because all of our flutes are handmade!  So, if you are looking for handmade flute with an economical price tag and the options to accommodate your preferences as a player, the Signature is an excellent choice.

The Powell Signature flute offers hand craftsmanship and the "Powell Sound" at an affordable cost.  The Signature's body and headjoint are both sterling silver, and the Signature headjoint was created specifically to accompany the Signature flute.  The headjoint makers here in the shop who cut the styles offered on our Custom and Conservatory flutes also cut Signature headjoints.  The Signature's drawn tone holes are formed using Powell's patented Zinki technology, and the pinned mechanism is completely built by hand.  Signature options include B foot or C foot, inline or offset G, C# trill, split-E (on offset G models), and a 14k riser.

In addition to the Signature flute, there is also a Signature piccolo!  The Signature piccolo has been described as a responsive, professional instrument with evenness throughout the scale and a consistent, sweet sound.  As one of two Powell piccolo models, Signature piccolos are crafted by the same flute makers who build the Custom piccolos.  The Signature piccolo body is made from grenadilla wood, and the mechanism is sterling silver.  Signature piccolos also have the option of a split-E and the choice of a Classic or Wave style headjoint.

For more information on Signature flutes and piccolos, click here to visit the Signature flute page on the Powell website and here for the Signature piccolo page.