Shape Your Melody with Nature's Finest

OUR STORY & PHILOSOPHY

The headjoint is an essential component of a flute, significantly impacting the musician's playing style and tonal expression. The transformation in flute manufacturing began in 1847 with Theobald Boehm's introduction of the all-metal flute in Munich. It required more than a hundred years for the metal flute to thoroughly alter the worldwide flute-playing scene. This transition underlines the distinct qualities of wooden instruments and indicates that without the substantial market demand in the early 20th century, the shift away from wood-based instruments, which demand sophisticated craftsmanship, would not have occurred so readily.

The natural variability of wood makes mass production of wooden flute headjoints challenging with conventional equipment. In Taiwan, such headjoints are particularly scarce. Professor Harvey Haw Chang of Chung Yuan Christian University's Musical Instrument Design Engineering Master's Program is not only a skilled flutist but also an expert in instrument repair and mechanical manufacturing education. He successfully merges CNC machinery techniques with traditional handcrafting to produce the exceptional and distinct "HARVEY" Wooden Flute and Piccolo Headjoints.

Fiix Music has entered into a technology transfer partnership with Chung Yuan Christian University to bring Professor Chang's innovative creations to the market. Now, these authentic, 100% Taiwan-made wooden flute and piccolo headjoints are available for purchase.

Innovation

Unleash Pure Tone, Play the Tradition

Variety of Wood Species Choices

In addition to the commonly used wood species, we have also utilized carbonized Acacia wood native to Taiwan and the very special solid bamboo material from Southeast Asia. They produce unique sounds and possess an Asian charm!

Warm and Wooden Sound

If you have ever doubted the suitability of the metal flute's tone in chamber music, it's time to consider using a wooden flute head. Whether in ensemble with wooden stringed instruments or wooden wind instruments, it will offer a more cohesive sound quality.

Corkless Design (patented)

Experience the revolution with our 'Corkless' Design: Pure, Uninterrupted Harmony. By replacing traditional soundboards and cork with solid wood, we ensure maximum vibration and flawless sound. Say goodbye to the worries of shifting reflector and air leaks. Embrace the full potential of your music with our complete wood craftsmanship.

Slender Profile

Our wooden flute headjoint is designed for metal flutes, with a slender profile that matches seamlessly with the metal flute. Of course, if you need a design that matches the wooden flute body, we can also customize it for you.

Use of Pure Titanium:

Wooden flute headjoints often face cracking issues due to environmental changes or lack of maintenance. Our new design replaces the traditionally used 925 silver retaining ring and tenon with pure titanium (Grade 2 Ti) to better address this problem. A comparison of the physical properties of pure titanium and 925 silver includes:

Hardness: Pure titanium, a material used in aerospace applications, has a higher hardness than 925 silver, making it more durable and resistant to deformation.
Speed of Sound: The speed of sound in pure titanium is approximately 4970 m/s, compared to 3600 m/s in 925 silver. In musical acoustics, this can be seen as enhancing the expression of high-frequency overtones, compensating for the high-frequency shortcomings of wooden instruments.
Thermal Expansion Rate: Pure titanium has a significantly lower thermal expansion rate than 925 silver, resulting in minimal deformation in varying environmental conditions.
Biocompatibility: Pure titanium is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, matching the properties of 925 silver in this regard.
Corrosion Resistance: Pure titanium exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance, forming a stable oxide layer (TiO₂) on its surface that resists oxidation and moisture corrosion. This makes it highly suitable for the humid environment of musical instruments, outperforming 925 silver.

Wooden headjoints are prone to deformation due to changes in humidity and temperature. The metal retaining ring, which prevents the wood from expanding outward, needs to be strong and have a low thermal expansion rate. Additionally, the metal tenon encased within the wooden body can contribute to cracking due to its own thermal expansion. These factors have led us to replace the traditional 925 silver with pure titanium—a non-toxic, rust-resistant, low-thermal-expansion, and more robust material. Titanium is a metal that is extremely difficult to process, which increases the challenges in our manufacturing process. However, the advantages titanium offers—both structurally and acoustically—make us firmly believe that it is absolutely worth the effort!

Discover Your True Sound with Wooden Precision！

African Black Wood

known for its excellent tonal qualities and durability. This wood, also known as Grenadilla or Mpingo, is native to the dry savannah regions of Africa and has been a popular choice for high-quality woodwind instruments, including clarinets and oboes, for many years.

The sound quality of a flute headjoint made from African Blackwood is often characterized by its warmth, richness, and depth. The density of the wood contributes to a focused and powerful tone, while also offering a broad dynamic range and responsiveness to the player's technique. Players may notice a distinct resonance and projection with this material, which can enhance the overall expressiveness of the instrument.

Cocobolo

Cocobolo wood is a dense and colorful hardwood native to Central America. Cocobolo, also known as Dalbergia retusa, is a visually stunning wood, featuring a rich palette of colors ranging from reddish-brown to orange and even purple hues, with striking black streaks. This wood has gained popularity for use in constructing high-quality woodwind instruments, such as flutes and clarinets, due to its unique aesthetic appeal and tonal properties.

The sound quality of a Cocobolo wood flute headjoint is often characterized by its warmth, richness, and resonance. The density of Cocobolo wood contributes to a full-bodied and powerful tone, while also offering a broad dynamic range and responsiveness to the player's technique.
The sound quality of a Mopane wood flute headjoint is often described as warm, rich, and resonant. The density and unique properties of Mopane wood contribute to a focused and responsive tone, while also providing a wide dynamic range and excellent projection. Players may experience a balanced blend of warmth and clarity, which can enhance the overall expressiveness and versatility of the instrument.

Mopane

Mopane wood is a hardwood native to the southern African regions. Mopane, also known as Colophospermum mopane, is a dense and durable wood with a beautiful golden-brown color and a distinctive grain pattern. It has been increasingly used for the construction of high-quality woodwind instruments, including flutes and clarinets.

The sound quality of a Mopane wood flute headjoint is often described as warm, rich, and resonant. The density and unique properties of Mopane wood contribute to a focused and responsive tone, while also providing a wide dynamic range and excellent projection. Players may experience a balanced blend of warmth and clarity, which can enhance the overall expressiveness and versatility of the instrument.

Pink Ivory

Pink Ivory wood is a rare and valuable hardwood native to southern Africa. Pink Ivory, also known as Berchemia zeyheri, is an eye-catching wood with a unique pinkish hue that can range from pale pink to deep red, often accompanied by subtle brown streaks. This wood is prized for its rarity, striking appearance, and tonal properties, making it an attractive choice for constructing high-quality woodwind instruments such as flutes.

The sound quality of a Pink Ivory wood flute headjoint is often described as warm, rich, and resonant. The density and unique properties of Pink Ivory wood contribute to a focused and powerful tone, while also providing a wide dynamic range and responsiveness to the player's technique. Players may experience a balance between warmth and clarity, which can enhance the overall expressiveness and versatility of the instrument.

Solid Bamboo

Solid bamboo, also known as Dendrocalamus strictus or Calcutta bamboo, is a unique bamboo species native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Unlike most bamboo species, which have hollow stems, solid bamboo features a dense, fibrous core, making it a more robust and sturdy material.
The sound quality of a solid bamboo flute headjoint is often characterized by its earthy, warm, and organic tone. The natural properties of bamboo contribute to a distinctively different sound compared to traditional wooden or metal headjoints, offering a more mellow and breathy character. Players may notice a more intimate and responsive connection to the instrument, which can enhance the overall expressiveness and create a unique playing experience.
The lip plate and body are carved from a single piece, not glued together.

African Black Wood & Madagascar Rose Wood

100% Made in Taiwan, the Wave Style Piccolo Headjoint addresses the issue of weak low register and unfocused tone in your piccolo. Currently available in African Blackwood and Indian Rosewood.

The Wave blowing hole has a similar projection area to traditional blowing holes, but it's actually larger, with a higher edge angle that collects more air, making its playing feel similar to a flute. Players don't need to tighten their lips specifically to find the right tone. In the American piccolo community, these two headjoints are defined as such: "Traditional style is best for dedicated piccolo soloists, requiring time to sound good. Wave style is easier, suited for ensemble players who need to sound good quickly without much practice."

Current stock models are suitable for the YPC-62 piccolo body. Other brands and models of piccolo bodies can be customized