All of our custom wooden headjoints for the concert flute, alto flute, piccolo, and others, are entirely handmade by master headjoint maker, J. Novo. Mr. Novo is an accomplished band instrument repair technician who received his degree in this field in 1976. He is a member in good standing of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) and is highly respected in the industry by his peers. Mr. Novo founded the Research and Development Committee for NAPBIRT in 1983, served as Chairman of that Committee for two consecutive years, and authored a work entitled: "The Grenadilla Story". Mr. Novo has been making professional Grenadilla wooden headjoints since 1983 and holds two U.S. patents.

One of these, patent # 4685373, is for the transparent FANTASIA flute built in 1985 by Mr. Novo. This beautifully handmade Cooper-scale flute, which was machined from a solid piece of industrial grade crystal clear acrylic rod and then fitted with 24-karat gold-plated keys, can be illuminated through a fiber-optic light system whose color of light changes depending on the note being played. Truly an outstanding sight to see. This instrument, originally commissioned by Julius Baker in 1984, is now owned by New York Jazz flutist Dave Valentin and is featured in one of his albums entitled: LIGHT STRUCK, recorded at GRP Records. Mr. Novo wrote the liner notes for the album at Mr. Valentin's request. The FANTASIA flute made U.S. history for it was the first illuminated musical wind instrument to be awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent Office. As a result, a new division had to be created for it and it remains to this day the only such instrument in its class.

Mr. Novo was the first American flute maker to introduce an American made ultra-thin wooden headjoint to the world market. His unique ultra-thin design, which is imitated by other makers worldwide, has completely revolutionized the flute playing world.

(You can find additional information about Juan Novo at: http://pnwbands.com/orphanannie.html)

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