Aloha….This flute is 23” in length, with a 1” bore diameter. Materials used in the construction were chosen to reflect some of the elements of the Hawaiian Islands. Beginning with the mouthpiece, woods include macassar ebony between layers of SE Asian amboyna burl, and capped with the Koa. Each side of the compression chamber has inset 22mm disks of amboyna burl, and in my mind’s eye, the figuring looked like a volcano. I did some subtle hand colorizing of the wood to reflect the front and backside of an active volcano. I’m happy with it. The fetish block is not a turtle. It is a stylized swan, cut from koa and bonded to a piece of Oklahoma cedar, for moisture control. The wing overlay consists of birdseye maple, abalone, mappa burl, systemic dyed maple wherein the tree was fed colored water during it’s growth cycles and veneered following harvest. More abalone follows, as well as walnut burl

Inlay for the instrument starts with a 13mm coin pearl, flanked by 4mm turquoise dots, at the mouthpiece. Each side of the compression chamber is then set with 12mm abalone disks, while the sound chamber includes a large 16x31mm teardrop abalone cab. The finger holes are accented with four 5mm abalone dots and a 6mm dome cut labradorite cabochon. Lastly, the block has a 6mm coral cab set to the back of the bird, and 2mm African faceted cognac diamonds, set as eyes.

The flute was tuned at a wood temp. of 67.3°F, and an ambient temp. of 70°F. It was tuned at 439.2 hz, to become 440 hz @ 72°F. Humidity was 51% at sea level.

As with most of my instruments, the block does not have to be completely removed for drying purposes. Simply loosen the deerskin ties and gently pull the block to the side.