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The use of pink ivory for flute, clarinet and oboe results in unique, exceptionally beautiful instruments.
Below we showcase some examples, made by a range of talented instrument makers – including a number of ProSono customers.
Suitability of pink ivory for flute, clarinet and oboe
Pink ivory – depending on its colour, also called red ivory – is a precious Southern African hardwood known for its strength and distinctive colouring. It offers the high density needed for a woodwind instrument, with a hardness of 3,230 lbf (14,370 N) on the Janka scale.
Due to its high oil content, this hardwood doesn’t slit easily. It works well on the lathe and with a chisel, and offers excellent stability over time.
The hardwood is also known for its clear, ringing “tap tone” and appealing sound qualities.
Examples of pink ivory flutes
Flutes of pink ivory are uniquely beautiful, while offering a warm, soft and captivating timbre.
Irish flute maker, Francois Baubet, is a ProSono customer who has had great success in making pink ivory flutes. Visit his website for an in-depth look at how he made the flute shown above.
Windward Flutes in Canada makes beautiful flutes from many exotic hardwoods, including pink ivory from ProSono. Shown above, this D keyless flute features warmly coloured red ivory with silver rings.
Examples of pink ivory oboes
African blackwood (grenadilla) has been a wood of choice among oboe makers for decades. However, this hardwood is now listed by CITES. It is increasingly scarce (and often of poor quality if it is available at all) and subject to tight restrictions.
Rosewood, too, is now difficult to obtain.
We think one positive aspect of this development is greater experimentation with a range of different hardwoods, each with its own character. Included among these is pink ivory.
A pink ivory oboe by F. Lorée, the oldest maison in Paris specialising in oboe manufacture.
The pink ivory oboe shown above was photographed by passionate oboist and composer, Alain Vlamynck, at Lorée. He was given the opportunity to play the instrument and described its sound as clear and direct.
See Vlamynck’s article, Mopani & Pink Ivory, du hautbois en couleur!, for his reflections about both mopane and pink ivory as alternatives for making oboes. (The article is written in French but right-click for a passable Google translation to English).
Well-regarded professional oboe makers, Fossati Paris, has also produced oboes from pink ivory.
In the colourful Fossati collection above, the second oboe from the left shows just how vibrant the colouring of pink ivory can be.
Pink and red ivory clarinets
Like oboes, clarinets today are being made in a wider range of materials (or material combinations), including hardwoods such as cocobolo and pink ivory.
A clarinet bell and barrel, made of pink ivory by Elephant Foot.
Pink ivory for headjoints
Pink ivory hardwood is ideal for use in flute or piccolo headjoints.
Pink ivory for decorative effects
Thanks to its striking colour, pink ivory hardwood is sometimes incorporated in instruments solely for decorative effect.
In the video, a rustic Arabian flute (beautifully played!), with pink ivory detailing:
Another example – this unique dragon flute, made from pink ivory and walnut:
Other musical instruments
Pink or red ivory hardwood is a unique and prized choice for a range of musical instruments, from guitars and bagpipes to the ehru.
A demonstration of a Uilleann pipe chanter made from red ivory:
Pink ivory billets and blanks for sale
Subject to limited availability, ProSono offers top-grade pink ivory hardwood that has been ethically and legally harvested, expertly seasoned and cut to size. Contact us to discuss your tonewood needs.
