Wessel flute

The Wessel flute is a new Boehm-style flute built by British flutemaker, Stephen Wessel.

Dubbed the "Complex flute," this innovative instrument enables you to play quarter-tones, multiphonics, and sounds from many non-western flutes and flute-like instruments.

The idea for Wessel's Complex flute was conceived in 1978, but it wasn't put into production until 2009.

Each flute is built completely by hand in the United Kingdom. They are quite pricey, starting at more than $8,000.

Benefits of the Complex flute are listed as...

high responsiveness
evenness of sound throughout the compass
plenty of tonal color
abundant carrying power or projection
outstanding intonation

Another surprising fact about these flutes is that they aren't supplied with a headjoint. You choose the headjoint you want to play with.

The flute itself is fashioned from silver, but the keywork is built out of stainless steel. The benefit of this is that stainless steel is much lighter, so the overall weight of the flute is lighter.

A wooden case of English or American walnut with a leather carrying bag is included.

Just one model is available, with several options to choose from.

Not surprisingly, these flutes are played and praised by British flutists, including William Bennett and Judith Hall.

See the question page for more details.

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