After several years of success with our Nagahara wooden Lipplate headjoints (available
in Grenadilla or Mopane), Kanichi Nagahara decided to experiment with an all-wood
design that would still fit on a standard metal flute body via a silver sleeve. The
result is a perfect marriage of that classic and organic chamber/baroque sound, with
great potential to be used in World Music, jazz, or even modern avante-garde pieces.
.
We are now making headjoints from the following woods (from left to right):
• African Blackwood- Also known as Grenadilla, this wood embodies a rich dark tone
throughout all registers with a bit of edge and great sound projection. Blackwood
is the most dense wood we offer and used broadly by many makers. Often found in Orchestral
settings.
• Cocobolo- Offering artistic resistance in the sound, this wood projects a deep
sound much like the Blackwood but with a lighter pallet of colors. Great in humid
climates. Not recommended for people with allergic tendencies to any woods.
• Kingwood- Another popular choice among makers, this wood provides a vibrant dark
resonance with great projection but less resistance than Grenadilla. Full of color
possibilities and flexibility!
• Mopane- Usually found in a rich brown color, this sweet toned wood is a popular
choice. It has less edge in the tone than the denser woods above but still projects
a great depth of sound. Also used in orchestral settings.
• Tamboti- Bringing an interesting and exotic experience to the ears of those who
listen, Tamboti wood projects a mellow, warm tone with a thick tonal texture. Filled
with lots of smooth low harmonics, you could say this is the dark chocolate in our
box of headjoints.
• Lignum Vitae- Latin for “wood of life” this selection is known to be extremely
durable and long lasting due to the natural oils found within this wood. These headjoints
have a brighter vibrant tone, are quick to respond specially in the top register,
and requires little effort to make the sound come alive!
• Pink Ivory- A rare pink colored wood from South Africa. This option offer a beautiful
timber filled with colorful texture. Having a rosy color in the tone and grain this
is a great choice for silver instruments; sounds and looks striking from stage!•
• Chakte Viga- With a slightly orange grain color, this moderately dense wood provides
a brighter sound that glitters throughout all registers. Very clean and flexible
tones specially in the top octaves.
• Osage Orange- A n exotic wood found in Argentina offering a shade of orange on
the grain. Very resonant, responsive and direct tone with clear sound projection.
• Olivewood- Originally found in Africa, this option provides a warm but lighter
tone. It offers smooth transitions throughout the registers and has a unique cafe
tone color. Best for people with allergic tendencies of woods.
• Ceylon Satinwood- Being a lightest wood we have in density and color, Satinwood
gives a brighter and sweeter tone quality; great for quick and easy resonance with
lots of flexibility among all octaves.
Wooden headjoints are available for Standard and our Full Concert flute models.
Hammig style headjoints are also made by order.
See Embouchure Cuts page for more options.
