Ralph Sweet "Sweetheart" Renaissance Flute in D – Maple – Used Very Good
Ralph Gordon Sweet Jr. founded the Sweetheart Flute Company on his property in Hazardville, Connecticut and spent the better part of forty-five years building wooden flutes and fifes that found their way into the hands of folk musicians, traditional players, and early music enthusiasts around the world. A physics teacher by profession, a contra dance caller by passion, and a beloved fixture at New England folk festivals and fife and drum gatherings, Ralph retired in 2017 and passed away in June of 2019 at the age of ninety. His instruments remain in active use, sought after by players who know what they are holding when they pick one up — and Sweetheart's Renaissance flutes were a meaningful part of that output alongside their better-known Irish and folk flutes.
This Sweetheart six-hole wooden Renaissance flute in the key of D is made from maple — a tonewood well suited to the Renaissance flute's characteristic warm, breathy, and intimate voice. Simple system, keyless, and straightforwardly made by hand by someone who genuinely understood both the physics and the music. Renaissance flutes of this type are ideal for consort playing, early music ensembles, and folk-adjacent contexts where a historically informed but accessible instrument is called for.
This one is in very good shape — no significant wear, dings, dents, or scratches. Ready to play.
- Make: Sweetheart Flute Company
- Maker: Ralph Sweet
- Model: Sweetheart Renaissance Flute
- Key: D
- Configuration: 6-hole, keyless
- Material: Maple
- Style: Renaissance transverse flute, simple system
- Country of origin: USA (Hazardville, CT)
- Condition: Very Good — no significant wear, dings, dents, or scratches
- Includes: Nothing
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
