Gautrot-Marquet 8-key flute

Gautrot-Marquet 8-key flute

> modern pitch

> rosewood with German silver keys

> excellent condition

Pierre Louis Gautrot woodwind company, established in 1845, expanded to become one of the largest in France. This flute dates from after 1875, when Gautrot added Marquet to denote the first class flutes.

And this flute is indeed a lovely example. There are no cracks in the wood, which shows a beautiful grain. The elegant keys, which have no ugly repairs, and include a neat little roller on the foot low C touch. The keys are closed by blued needle springs, which act with a more positive feel than earlier leaf springs.

Unusually for French flutes like this, pitch sits nicely around A=442 with the tuning slide pulled out about 7mm, making it very usable in a session, or with friends where its sweet voice will sound at home.

The flute comes in a good modern case.