He initially began working together with the flute makers Bellissent, Godfroy Aîné and Godfroy jeune. He set up his own workshop and eventually joined forces with Jacques NONON (1802-1867). They shared them same address in Paris and worked on producing superb flutes that would win many awards. As official supplier to the Paris Conservatoire and amazing reputation, they must certainly have had their order books and wallets quite full. Tulou opposed the Boehm flute and wanted to continue with ‘improved’ versions of the existing conical bore wooden flute. He brought out several new ‘improved’ or ‘perfected’ instruments with novel inventions.  He split with Jacques Nonon after 22 years of collaboration and instead turned to working with Pierre Louis GAUTROT (1812-1881). Tulou retired to Nantes where he died in 1865.

This four-part flute with five keys appears to be a late instrument, made perhaps by Gautrot. It is elegantly constructed in cocuswood, which has a gorgeous grain! It features five finely crafted nickel silver keys along with nickel silver rings.  It is equipped with a tuning slide.

In terms of condition, this flute does have some issues. There’s the typical crack in the barrel and a tiny hairline crack beneath the D-sharp key. There’s a little bit of damage on the player’s side (the back side) of the embouchure, but it doesn’t impact the sound at all. The screw cork and the original cap just don’t fit together. A good craftsman can easily make all the necessary repairs.

The instrument is stamped on the foot joint, middle joint and barrel of the head joint. The top tenon ring is sadly missing. There is no stamp on the right-hand joint but it clearly belongs to the instrument.

This Tulou flute plays at around a=440 Hz with the tuning slide in.  An interesting instrument with a bright, open and powerful sound.

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