S843
Louis Lot
#: Serial # 2722

Stamp: Engraved on headjoint: L.L / LOUIS LOT /PARIS / 2722 / BREVET . Engraved (!) on body: L. L. / LOUIS-LOT (hint of hyphen) / PARIS / BREVET . Footjoint unmarked.

Comments: This is an exquisite and special flute. I suspect that it was made by Debonneetbeau while working for Villette. Several new features coexist with the old-style lipplate.This instrument has been the favorite Louis Lot of Gary Schocker, who feels that it is the best playing Lot he has had or tried.

Date: Made in 1879 (Giannini), under Villette.

Material: This is a model 5, silver flute with C foot. The crown is a metal screw. The lipplate is remarkably made with the "over and under" embouchure uni which Lot invented in the early 1860's, and is unique for Villette flutes.

Hallmarks: Hallmarked with the makers mark, "H#V" and the boar's head of silver purity, on the upper body ring and the bottom ring on the footjoint.

System: This very beautiful flute is made with Villette's clutch system, using adjustment screws on both sides of the hanging T clutch, the F# lug (which replaces the middle piece on the back clutch) and the Bb side of the backclutch. All these screws are in mint condition.The footjoint is the pinless design, with an additional set-screw fitted tail on the C#.Flat French pad washers all original.

Condition: This flute is in exquisite condition, and has been painstakingly overhauled by Mark Leone.

Pitch: Although made to play at French pitch of A=435, the headjoint has been trimmed for A=440. Gary Schocker used it at this pitch, and felt the scale was perfect.

Sounding length: Sounding length 600 mm.

Measurements: Emb 11.93 x 10.05. Scale 227 mm.

Case: In original case.

Restoration status: Completely restored by Mark Leone.

Price: Sorry, sold.

The right hand mechanism shows the new "hanging T" replacement for the shoulder clutches, invented by Villette.

The footjoint also shows hints of Debonneetbeau (in the flat-edged C# and the broad teardrop), yet the new pinless footjoint carries a tail with a set screw, thus maintaining the very clutch which had been eliminated by the pinless mechanism! This could only be Villette; I can hardly believe his vision was so well shared by his shop mates.

This is actually the very last that we have seen of the "over-and-under", or embouchure unie of Louis Lot, with two flanges, which we thought had been abandoned back in the years of the Master. Judging by the incredible tone of this instrument, it must be a good idea.

The hidden set screw for the F# can be seen under the B trill key. Repairmen today benefit from the extra work Villette and Debonneetbeau put into this instrument.

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Serial #2722 was made in 1879, under Villette. This extraordinary flute is both advanced, and deeply rooted in the traditions of the past.

The embouchure is perfect, and extraordinary. The dimensions are 11.93 x 10.05, yet she has a very broad and open, sound, like the best of the Debonneetbeau flutes.

Here is the heart of Villette's genius, even though this was really a German idea! The central lug on the hanging clutch, for F#, is replaced by a special shoulder clutch (seen in another picture). The set screw is thereby available, and the center is bulbed to hold this screw.

This rear view of Villette's hanging T clutch shows his brilliant replacement for the two shoulder clutches of Lot. This piece is still used on nearly every flute today, although the set screws are generally left off.

This flute is beautifully made and exquisitely finished. The curves are sensual, and the geometry sublime. There is no hesitation anywhere, as though the maker knew he was producing a masterpiece.