Guitar to pair with Flute

[LeftyArt]

I am beginning to search for a forever guitar.

I have a few nice guitars, but I am looking for "the one". I mostly strum/flatpick but am working on fingerstyle.

One of the things I am looking for is a guitar that would pair well with flute. I accompany my wife; we play mostly hymns and such at church, but I've been slowly getting her interested in fiddle/Irish/contra dance tunes. Mostly unamplified, but a pickup would be nice in the event it is needed.

I like the size of my 214, but would prefer a larger neck and deeper sound (my 214 is really bright).

Anybody out there doing the same? Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Sequimite]

I've only seen duets with classical guitar and flute. That pairing works very well.

[Mark L]

An Irish guitar perhaps?
McIlroy, Lowden, Emerald Carbon Fiber, Avalon come to mind.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Originally Posted by Mark L

An Irish guitar perhaps?
McIlroy, Lowden, Emerald Carbon Fiber, Avalon come to mind.

I think Mark L has a good suggestion.
I would also suggest a Jumbo too. Get some fat bass to balance out the flute.
Martin J-40, or an Avalon are 2 examples I have had that fit the bill.
The J-40 lower bout is the same as your 214, only deeper.
There’s a group called Hightime from Ireland, the mix a McIlroy with the flute or whistle or harp...

[Tico]

Originally Posted by Sequimite

I've only seen duets with classical guitar and flute. That pairing works very well.

...........

+1

[bufflehead]

I should think you'd want to avoid a bright guitar when pairing with a flute. Maybe try something like a Martin 000-18?

[llew]

I've done one old hymn "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" accompanying a woman playing the flute. Turned out really pretty and I don't quite remember but I was probably playing a Martin D-18/D-28 fingerstyle.

[hubcapsc]

Gibson CF-100 ... think Leon Redbone.

-Mike

[YamahaGuy]

My wife plays flute and she and I used to play together a fair amount. Bb & Eb seemed to be the most common keys, so maybe something that sounds good tuned down a half step.

[folkmusikfan]

There is a musical duet of flute and guitar that plays at my hospital. They play mainly songs from the 60s. He plays an Emerald jumbo. I love the sound of that jumbo and the bigger bass from his guitar.

[musicman1951]

I've played flute with many different guitars and I don't recall any that didn't work. As you already know, the flute is a thicker, warmer sound and pairs well with guitar.

There are lots of guitars out there with a darker sound than your current model. I think if you find a guitar you like for solo guitar it will work just fine with the flute.

Now if she's going to play a lot of penny whistle on those Irish tunes you might want to try and balance that shrill sound (and don't let her play in your ear).

[rstaight]

I'm thinking a classical guitar. Just seems like the right thing to pair up with a flute.

Unless your playing some Jethro Tull. Them maybe a SG.😁

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Sequimite

I've only seen duets with classical guitar and flute. That pairing works very well.

Yes.

I highly recommend this album, recorded in the early sixties:

https://www.amazon.com/Duets-Spanish.../dp/B000002S1C

Used copies of the CD are listed at bargain prices.
Note that the last two songs on the CD weren't on the original vinyl album and really don't fit with the others.

[ericcsong]

Michael Hedges did great with a D28:

[darylcrisp]

Carlos Nakai(native American flute) and William eaton have put out two albums of flute and Williams various stringed instruments he builds(he is/was a luthier and taught at a well known luthier school in his past).

an incidental thing to know about William was that he also pole vaulted, and I think at a high level, fyi

its beautiful music, the insert tells of the instruments and tunings used. the sound quality of Carlos playing in the video is not good, Nakai is amazing in person and on CD-this video has some issues

Winter Dreams is one CD
Carry the Gift is another CD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75K4hRUfOEA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa5iDEzrsh4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPutyAHvdhk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlB9IxcfMuc