S810
Louis Lot
#: 3952
Paris France
Stamp: On headjoint: L. L / LOUIS LOT/ PARIS/ 3952/ BREVET/. On body: L. L./ LOUIS LOT/ PARIS/ BREVET . Footjoint unmarked.
Comments: This flute has a great and compelling tone. It is a loud flute for a Lot, possibly due to the very large embouchure, which appears to be original. The embouchure is not exactly symmetrical. We are reminded of the story about Debonneetbeau and his lengthy lunches. He apparently kept all of the embouchure cutting to himself, and the embouchures from after lunch are reputed to have been somewhat wayward. This looks to us like an afternoon cutting, which nonetheless was genius.
Date: Made in 1884 (Giannini).
Material: Made of silver plated metal, probably with silver lipplate. New crown of silver with steel rod.
Hallmarks: No hallmarks.
Markings: No marks visible under keys.
System: This is Lot's model 7, plated flute with C foot. The keys are plateau model. The upper trill key trills the G-G# rack! Pinless foot. Lot's mechanism. Tone holes with tapered rim.
Condition: This flute has been in constant service. Although no major damage or repair is visible, nonetheless the plating has worn off entirely where the fingers touch the instrument. The pad washers are original, yet the springs, several screws, some steels, and the crown are new. This instrument was recently completely overhauled in Canada, and these new parts may well come from this work. At any event, the parts that wear out from use have been upgraded, while the parts that principally make the sound are all original.
Pitch: Appears to play right at A=440.
Sounding length: Sounding length 601 mm.
Measurements: Scale length 227 mm. Embouchure 12.9 x 10.4 mm. FJ tone holes 15.6 mm. Body holes 13.5 mm (B, Bb, A. G#), and 14.3 (G, F#, F, E).
Weight gram: 374 g.
Case: No case (currently in modern band case).
Restoration status: Completely restored recently in Vancouver, Canada.
Price: Sorry, sold.
This interesting flute was made with plateau keys and a mechanism with many of the adjusting screws introduced by Villette.
The closed G# is topped by a great swirling key that actually trills the whole G-G# rack, giving an A-G trill.
The upper mechanism, with split rib at the trill keys.
The underside of the lipplate shows the clean flange. We do not believe this lipplate has been altered.
Please click on calling card to return Home.
The engraved mark in the headjoint lacks Louis Lot's personal hyphen, since this flute was made by Lot's second successor, Debonneetbeau de Coutelier.
This is the "hanging T" clutch, which replaced the shoulder clutches of Lot. The adjustment screw is for the arm to the E key at left.
The plating on the tip of the G# key is worn, giving an idea of the desirable playing quality of this flute.
The beautiful embouchure is slightly wayward, suggesting that this is one of Debonneetbeau's famous "after lunch" flutes.
The footjoint touches show the classic spatulated D#, with slightly flattened top, of Debonneetbeau.
