Ralph Sweet "Sweetheart" Renaissance Soprano Flute in D – Maple – Used Excellent
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 and are genuinely sought after — and the workshop has since been taken over by his chosen successor, Joseph Morneault of Musique Morneaux, who continues the tradition in the same Connecticut barn.
This is Sweetheart's Renaissance soprano flute in D — a one-piece maple instrument, shorter and higher-pitched than the Renaissance tenor, with the characteristic warm, breathy, and intimate tone of a conical-bore Renaissance transverse flute. Well suited to consort playing, early music ensembles, and any context where a historically informed but accessible wooden flute is called for. Serial number 7037, with the Sweetheart heart-with-S maker's mark burned into the body.
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: Renaissance Soprano Flute
- Serial number: 7037
- Key: D (soprano — d'')
- Configuration: 6-hole, keyless
- Construction: One-piece
- Material: Maple
- Style: Renaissance transverse flute
- Country of origin: USA (Hazardville, CT)
- Condition: Excellent — 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.
