Klarinet Archive - Posting 000275.txt from 2004/04
From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] OT: Haynes-Schwelm flute
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 14:35:11 -0400
I made what was probably an overly-optimistic (i.e., stupid) impulse buy at
a flea market this morning: a Haynes-Schwelm Co. flute, silver plate on
brass, SN 462157. I paid US$18. My impression, FWIW, is that this flute
is a well-made student model. However, it's missing the tuning adjustment
screw mechanism inside the head joint. It does have the end plug. The
screw seems to be a standard size, since the screw assembly from my 1956-7
Olds Ambassador fits. The Haynes-Schwelm is tarnished and needs pads.
Otherwise, it appears to be in excellent condition. What is restoration,
with the tuning screw, likely to cost? I don't know enough about flutes to
work on it myself, other than cleaning it.
This brand is neither rare nor sought-after. Recent online auction and
used prices range from $130 to $600, with the latter clearly outside the
norm. (That dealer said he had a professional model. A few dealers who
wanted much higher prices confused Haynes-Schwelm with Haynes.) Most were
below $200. My question about value refers to value to me as a learning
instrument: Is it worthwhile for me to buy the replacement tuning screw,
get the flute professionally repadded, keep it and sell the Olds (or se if
I can trade the Olds to the repairman for the work on the Haynes-Schwelm)?
If not, I can unload the Haynes-Schwelm "as is" at the local buyer-beware
auction where I get rid of my mistakes. Or I could unload them both and
spend more money for something better that may sit around unplayed, as the
Olds has done for four years.
The nickel silver 1956-7 Olds, the lowest of the Olds student line at that
time (the Ambassador line had been downgraded over the years), is the only
other orchestral flute I own. I haven't learned much on it, though I play
recorder. Under the circumstances, I don't want to pay much for a flute,
but I don't want to get stuck with a total junker, either.
I haven't been able to find a list of serial numbers with dates or much
other information for this company (which is *not* the same as the Wm. H.
Haynes Co.). The high quality of the case influenced my decision to buy,
since it's been my experience that shoddy instruments usually come in
equally shoddy cases. The black case, with synthetic leather covering
wood, is the original (labelled), sturdy, clean and in good condition, with
heavy steel corners and steel handle hardware. The inside of the case is
lined with black, synthetic plush, similar to the lining of Bundy clarinet
cases from the 1950s and 1960s. Based on the style of the case, I
tentatively date this flute from the 1950s, but I can't find a source of
serial numbers online.
Paraphrase from the Larry Krantz site's FAQ and elsewhere: William S.
Haynes, Jr. was the son of the famous William H. Haynes (who started the
fine Wm. H. Haynes company in 1886 with his brother, George, who went off
on his own to California in 1897). The son apparently didn't get along
with his father. He and a Haynes employee, John Schwelm, who had also
worked as a foreman at Powell, started their own company as Haynes-Schwelm
in 1920. Schwelm left in 1923. The company continued in business until
the 1950s, according to most reports (including the Larry Krantz site).
Some owners believe there's a Haynes-Schwelm "professional model," but I'm
unclear on whether or not anything was labelled as such. Opinions of
(mostly former) owners of Haynes-Schwelm flutes vary, from "decent quality
intermediate instrument" (on the Larry Krantz FAQ page) to very bad student
brand (Sax on the Web, poster unknown to me; he's a sax player who got this
info. from a repair person). Curiously, the owner of the bad instrument
bought it brand-new in the 1970s and theorizes that it may have been a
low-end revival of an extinct brand name.
Any information received with gratitude. Private replies to this off-topic
post are welcome. TIA!
Lelia Loban
E-mail: lelialoban@-----.net
Web site (original music scores as audio or print-out):
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/LeliaLoban
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