This flamewood instrument measures 22-1/4 inches in length, with an oval bore of 1”x 1-3/32”, tuned to D4# (E♭). Despite its size, the flute doesn’t require a challenging amount of wind, and has very reasonably placed finger holes. With the greatest spread being 1-1/4”. That being said, the material is an extremely hard and obstinate rosewood, so there are aspects of this build that look like they were done by a six year old. I have one flute blank left, and after that, my relationship with Laotian flamewood, will be over.

Beginning at the mouthpiece, woods include olive, between layers of amboyna burl, capped with the flamewood. Each side of the compression chamber is set with 22mm disks of addl. olivewood as well..I took the liberty of some subtle hand colorizing of these. The fetish block is still a bird, and is cut from the flamewood, bonded to a base of Oklahoma red cedar for moisture control. The wing overlay includes mappa burl, two layers of abalone, and topped with a flamewood veneer as well. I almost made a mountain lion. Maybe I will next time, with a happier material.

Inlay, beginning at the mouthpiece includes a 12mm labradorite cab, flanked by 4mm turquoise dots. The compression chamber olivewood discs are themselves accented with 6mm turquoise cabs as well. Forward from the fetish, I’ve placed a dome cut 11.91mm turquoise cab. The finger holes are accented with four 5mm abalone dots, as well as a dome cut 6mm labradorite cab. Lastly, the fetish has a 6mm hematite cab set to the crown, and 2.8mm hematite beads set as eyes.

I included a permanent wrap of glueless 1mm distressed rawhide because it’s fun to do.

Overall, I’m not overjoyed with the voice of this monster I’ll have to let you be the judge.

The flute was tuned at a wood temperature of 74.7° F, an ambient temperature of 72.3° F, with a humidity factor of 71%, at sea level.