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The North Bridge Flutes

Students playing North Bridge flutes Making the step up to a musical instrument offering professional features is an important decision for all musicians. The step-up instrument is the bridge that often transforms the budding student into the professional artist. Choosing the right instrument can lead to significant musical progress, as well as great success and accomplishment.

North Bridge offers a unique family of intermediate level flutes, which allow the flutist to find their musical voice and to develop a full, rich, and beautiful sound.

The flute headjoint is one of the most important components of the flute, providing the greatest contribution to the flute's tonal quality. All North Bridge flutes feature a sterling silver headjoint handmade in the USA by flute artisan Chris McKenna. For over 30 years, Chris McKenna has been crafting some of the finest flute headjoints available. The art of creating a flute head joint requires many years of experience, bringing together a blend of technology, craftsmanship and artistry. The McKenna headjoint is designed and crafted to be both responsive and flexible while offering superb projection and control, making it easier to hit high notes and perform at softer volumes.
Chris McKenna and his handmade flutes

Made in the U.S.A.

Made in the U.S.A.
NB-500
The NB-500 features a durable silver plated body hand paired with a sterling silver McKenna headjoint. It comes standard with pointed arms, open holes, high quality Pissoni pads, and a French-style case with a nylon case cover. The result is flute that is fun and easy to play, with impeccable tone and projection.

NB-600
The NB-600's solid sterling silver body, hand paired with a sterling silver McKenna headjoint, is the perfect choice for the advanced flutist! This flute has Y-arms, and also features open holes, high quality Pissoni pads, and a French-style case with a nylon case cover. The NB-600 provides an exceptional warm tone, control, and response.

NB-700
The NB-700 has all of the great features found on the NB-600, with the addition of pointed arms. Pointed arms allow for a lighter touch and keep your flute in better adjustment than Y-arms. Discriminating flutists will appreciate the subtle differences in response and aesthetics.


"In a market which is saturated with dull sounding instruments, North Bridge step up flutes shine brightly. Great work from a company that understands what young flutists are really looking for."

- Paul Edmund-Davies, former principal of the London Symphony

Click here to see Paul Edmund-Davies evaluation of the North Bridge Flute.


  North Bridge Features
NB-500
NB-600
NB-700
 
Faded Flute
  Sterling Silver handmade headjoint by Chris McKenna
X
X
X
 
  Headjoint country of origin
USA
USA
USA
 
  Flute Body Tube country of origin
Japan
Taiwan
Taiwan
 
  Sterling Silver body/footjoint
x
x
 
  Arms
Pointed
Y-arms
Pointed
 
  Silver plated keys
X
X
X
 
  .016" Medium tubing
X
X
X
 
  Quality Pisoni pads
X
X
X
 
  A-442 Pitch
X
X
X
 
  Offset G with Split E available
X
X
X
 
  French-style case and nylon case cover
X
X
X
 
  Tested and Adjusted
USA
USA
USA
 
  Assembled in:
Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan
 


North Bridge Flute Overview

There are so many flutes out there; it can be a little confusing!

Keeping in mind all the features that you generally prefer will give you a solid foundation to begin your decision making. Of course, there is no substitute for playing the instrument to judge response, tone color, ease of playing and comfort of the mechanism. Here are some things to consider in finding a flute for that Next Step:
   
North Bridge Flutes

Made in the U.S.A.

The North Bridge Flute is designed with a Modern A-442 Scale so all the notes and registers play well in tune.
  • When looking for a flute that will respond the way you want and that will serve you for years to come, an Open Hole Model with a B Foot is a must.

  • You will hear people talking about Pointed Arms and they are certainly the choice of nearly all Professionals so we offer Pointed Arm Models for both levels of our North Bridge Flutes.

  • Offset G has become the most popular set up in recent years. It is mechanically more stable and for most hands it is more comfortable and promotes better hand position.

  • Split E is an option that we offer. With modern Scales and Headjoints, many players find the split E unnecessary to produce the high E easily. There are other players and teachers that still prefer the Split E.

  • Drawn Tone Holes are “drawn” or extruded from the flute tube itself so there is no solder seam like on soldered tone hole flutes. By using a Medium Wall tubing of .016 inches we have crafted an instrument that produces a vibrant tone easily and moves smoothly from note to note. There is also a depth and complexity of tone to be developed over time.

  • The North Bridge Flute is designed with a Modern A-442 Scale so all the notes and registers play well in tune. North Bridge Offers a Flute Model with Sterling Silver Body Tubing and a Solid Sterling Silver Headjoint (NB-600 and NB-700), and also a Model with Nickel Silver Body Tubing and a Solid Sterling Silver Headjoint (NB-500).

  • Our Headjoint is really a Step Up! It has been carefully designed and crafted by hand to balance these flutes perfectly and will be immediately capable of bringing your passion to life.
 


 
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Contact Info

ph: 888.258.2070
info@northbridgewinds.com

 
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