Since opening the company, the pads used in Nagahara Flutes have been hand-made in
our workshop from natural felt and high-strength hand-selected goldbeater’s skin.
Some of the larger flute companies have turned to synthetic pads for their instruments.
This is because these pads are relatively easy to install, and for high-volume production
they cut down on the time needed to make the instrument. We’ve experimented with
silicone and other synthetic materials, but thus far we feel the best material for
the instrument is natural felt. We’ve continuously conducted extensive research on
materials for our pads. In our opinion, natural felt is still (so far) the most reliable
and consistent material, and is the least likely to tear and become “unsettled” after
a few months of use.
In addition, we have developed a new pad design that is just as stable and responsive
as our (now called) Traditional Pads. These new TRIAD PADS feature three uniquely
combined materials that have yielded the same properties as our previous design,
but with a slightly brighter tonal character, more flexibility and a bit more “crispness”
in feel. Although they still require a proper handling technique, the TRIAD PADS
are much easier to install and adjust, and need less overnight settling time and
break-in period in comparison with our Traditional pads. Because of the great tonal
advantages, our TRIAD PADS have become the pad of choice of the grand majority of
our customers both in the US and Internationally. We strongly recommend creating
the distinct Nagahara signature sound.
