Over the years, Drelinger Optikut® headjoints have earned the most significant measure of success—overwhelming customer satisfaction. As the hundreds of customer letters reveal, Drelinger headjoints have universally met or exceeded the demands of the most diversified and demanding flutists. Part of the reason for this popularity is Drelinger’s patented one piece lip plate assembly and exclusive non-destructive fitting method, named perfect-match®. Another is the availability of an extraordinary variety of models offered in several unique patented lip plate styles and a large precious metal assortment of silver, gold, platinum, and Drelinger’s proprietary Karritium®. Karritium® may very well be considered the most appealing precious metal, as it has proved to combine the acoustical benefits of gold and silver in one solid metal. Pictured here are more exclusive features which is reason enough just to want to try a Drelinger headjoint on your flute or piccolo.
What Is the difference between a conventional headjoint design
and Drelinger's patented Optikut®?
The lip plate cross-sections shown here are a conventional modern
headjoint (a) compared to Drelinger's patented Optikut
headjoint (b). The arrows in the conventional
cross-section show two solder joints connecting the three parts
of the voicing structure. Compare this to the Drelinger
cross-section which has no solder joints in the voicing
structure. Its lip plate, chimney, and section containing the
undercuts are one seamless piece.
The overcuts and undercuts of the Optikut® are contoured in a continuous uninterrupted, solder-joint-free path, allowing the smoothest flow of air. The arrow shows the entire one-piece lip plate assembly soldered to the headjoint tube at a single acoustically non-critical point. Top of page.
What is Drelinger’s exclusive
non-stretch
fitting process named Perfect-Match® ?
Slightly loose headjoints are fitted using burnishers or other
stretching tools. Often these tools are used to extremes,
permanently enlarging and distorting the tenon’s wall and
bore. After this occurs, the headjoint may not play as well as it
did.
Now this problem has been solved by Drelinger’s proprietary
Perfect-Match® technology.
Perfect-Match® eliminates the need for bore and wall stretching
by the use of turbo-spinning which adds metal to the outside of
the headjoint tenon. Perfect-Match®is available exclusively with
Drelinger Optikut® headjoints. There is no extra cost for
fitting our headjoints to your flute body using Perfect-Match®.
When I purchase a Drelinger headjoint, do you need to have my
flute in order to size it? No. With Perfect-Match® there is
no need to have the customer’s flute to provide a precisely
fit Drelinger headjoint. Top
of page.
What is Drelinger's precious metal, Karritium® ?
It Is not generally known that the traditional precious metal
alloys such as sterling silver and 14 karat rose gold used to
make quality headjoints and flutes are the same as those
originally created for the jewelry and metal crafts industries.
Since these alloys were so readily available from foundries
supplying jewelry makers, they have been traditionally used by
headjoint and flute makers and have proven over the years, to
provide excellent acoustical results. The characteristic timbre
that these traditional precious metal alloys produce has provided
flutists with a defined variety of quality choices which have
evolved into the status-quo. Some years ago I asked myself if a
precious metal formulation could be developed based on acoustical
merit, rather than ease of availability. I did a great deal of
research and development, experimenting by combining various
proportions of gold and silver with other metals in search of an
acoustically superior combination that would provide a timbre of
extraordinary variety. The Drelinger proprietory formulation that
evolved from this work came to be known as Karritium®. Unlike
plated or fused topical applications of gold to silver,
Karritium® is solid throughout. As you would expect, Karritium®
is not easily produced, but we feel the results are worth the
effort. Karritium® is, however, considerably less expensive than
our gold headjoints and has found a devoted following who prefer
it to all other precious metals. While Karritium® is ideal for
some people, an equal number of our customers prefer traditional
silver, gold and platinum. Happily, we offer all the choices. Top
of page.
Each of us must get the right headjoint to make beautiful music. If you don’t, you may have to work harder to compensate for the mismatch. Understanding the criticality of headjoint selection, Mr. Drelinger personally works with every flutist in his workshop near New York City and in several other cities throughout the United States. Like the optometrist fitting eyeglasses, Mr. Drelinger helps you choose the right headjoint, usually in a single tryout session. A description of how he works and detailed information about headjoints is provided within the accompanying Headjoint Buying Guide and Q & A.
Pictured here, Sanford (Sandy) Drelinger handmakes his headjoints from the very beginning through the final voicing and engraving process. Each headjoint bears the Drelinger registered trademark and a one of a kind number. Mr. Drelinger has specialized in the design and making of headjoints for nearly 35 years. He is credited with having established headjoint making as an expertise totally separate from flute making. To date Mr. Drelinger has been awarded three patents for his headjoint designs. His ongoing headjoint Q & A series in flute magazines is regarded internationally as the most comprehensive and authoritative source on the subject. Mr. Drelinger is also a flutist, having studied at the Juilliard School of Music. Drelinger’s credo in making headjoints is: “science and engineering bring me from nowhere to almost. From there on, art takes me the rest of the way.”
• I
want to tell you how much I enjoy playing on your headjoint -
S.L. • I appreciate the time and
effort you gave in helping me make the decision on this major
purchase - K.H. • After 3 years,
I love my headjoint even more than ever - H.S. • Your
headjoint has really opened up my
sound and I’m able to do many more things with my tone and
technique - Y.A.
• I want to tell you how pleased I am with my old flute and
your new headjoint - C.B.
• You have more than succeeded in supplying me with a
headjoint that makes a
dillettante play pleasingly - H.S. • I appreciate how
perfectly suited my
new headjoint is to me - N.K. • My students are so grateful
for the wonderful work you
have done for them - P.J. • Your headjoint is an incentive
to practice - G.R.
• Your headjoint is not only easier to play, but the tone is
much clearer - J.R.
• I never knew a single hole in a silver tube could make a
grown man so happy.
Thanks for your ingenious craftsmanship - B.H. • The
headjoint fits my
mouth so well. It’s much easier to pick up and play
immediately - Y.M. •
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