Why play gold?

By David Houston, Flutist and Director of Quality at Powell Flutes

Why play gold? 

Traditionally, flutes made entirely of gold have been played by only the most famous solo flutists in the world or owned by wealthy amateurs.  Starting with Powell #30, the earliest gold Powell flutes were made exclusively and entirely of 14 karat rose gold.  They were known for their warm, rich and colorful tones.  They also made an attractive statement on the concert stage visually.  These gold flutes were not the first choice for orchestral flutists.  Because of their natural tonal purity and warmth, flutes made of gold were believed to blend too well with other instruments in the orchestra, not project well enough and thus get lost in the myriad of orchestral colors.  Most of these concerns were not solely the fault of the metal.

The earliest gold headjoints were constructed with different parameters than their silver counterparts.  They were made with risers/walls that were .015” - .020” lower than silver ones.  Considering the lower wall height, the earliest gold headjoints rendered a more immediate delicate response and an easier upper register.  These headjoints, paired with a gold body, were more adaptable to smaller performing environments and solo recordings.  For many, they lacked the extra power and projection necessary to penetrate through large orchestras especially during forte tutti sections in the music.

During the mid-twentieth century, a change in the construction of gold flutes at Powell transpired, and the first flutes made with 14K rose gold body tubing and sterling silver mechanisms were produced.  It was thought that by mounting a silver mechanism on a golden body there would be no noticeable effects on the tonal properties of the instrument, and that one could have all of the benefits of a golden flute at a much lower price. (There is an ongoing debate as to whether gold or silver mechanisms on gold flutes affect their response and tone)  Thereafter, the manner in which gold headjoints were constructed changed as well.  Gold headjoints can now compete with the tonal and dynamic range of their silver counterparts by building them with risers/walls at the same height.  Additionally, “modern” cutting techniques increased projection and power for all headjoints.  Gold flutes were not just for soloists anymore.  Anon, all flutists could enjoy the versatility and benefits of playing a golden instrument!

Today’s flutists have an array of metal options to choose from when selecting a golden flute.  Powell Flutes offers gold flutes in 10K yellow gold, 14K rose gold and 19.5K rose gold with either gold or sterling silver mechanisms.  10K yellow gold flutes are desired by flutists who like the tonal flexibility of a gold instrument while retaining the clear, vibrant sound equal to sterling silver.  14K rose gold flutes are the most popular golden instrument.  They are known for their exceptional tonal warmth and depth.  Their radiant, rich tone has attracted flutists for many generations.  Flutes made with a higher gold content are the latest additions to the golden family.  More recently, Powell has done extensive research on the tonal properties of higher karat gold alloys, and has found an alloy of 19.5K to have quite extraordinary tonal properties.  The extra density of 19.5K produces a tone that is exceedingly smooth, extra rich and deeply colorful. 

From all gold to the many different combinations of gold and silver, modern flutists exploring gold flute options are sure to find the best arrangement to suit their playing style and needs.