Q: What type of finish do you use on the flutes and is it toxic?
A: Trimble flutes are finished with a non-toxic salad bowl finish.
It is the same finish used on wooden kitchen and eating utensils.
Q: I have an old flute that is split along the side next to the mouth piece, why do you think that has happened?
A: It is hard to say without seeing the flute. There are a few things in my experience that are linked to splitting along the mouth piece side.
The three most common are:
#1 The glue not having enough time to make a bond to hold the flute together and so it comes apart at some point.
#2 The mouth piece on the inside is not properly sealed with finish and moisture causes the wood to expand, forcing it to split or crack.
#3 Not storing the flute mouth pieces down to allow the moisture to drain out.
There are other things, like misuse or dropping the flute.
Q: Do you make the flutes offered on this site?
A: Yes, every flute. I could not dream of having someone else making my flutes.
Every one has been cut from a log and made in to a flute and finished by my hands alone.
Q: Does each flute go through the same process?
A: Not after cutting the logs in to manageable chunks. Some need more time drying. Some need a little more finesse during tuning.
Like people, each flute is different and everyone needs just a little something special to sound and look great.
Q: I have noticed that flutes on your site are for more than I have seen elsewhere. Why is that?
A: Trimble Flutes are made by hand, crafted one by one. They are not mass produced.
Since we only make so few a year we take our time with the flute making sure that they will perform every time.
Some new flute makers want to cash in on the business of making flutes. My family has seen them come and go through out the decades.
By creating a high volume of flutes quickly, other flute makers can sell them for a lower price.
Q: Does the wood type have an effect on the quality of sound of the flute? For instance the western red vs. the walnut?
A: Yes. The western red has a mellow haunting sound quality, as the walnut has a clear present tone.
Each wood has a unique voice, some dark and mysterious, others bright and cheerful. The density, hardness and grain of the wood help define the tone and timbre of the instrument, and we call this distinction tonality.
If you still have unanswered questions feel free to ask directly:
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