chiff & fipple presents

The Hohner Whistle

Arguably, the most collectable whistle in the world.

by Dale Wisely

This article is a work in progress about what has become perhaps the most collectable and sought-after whistle in the world. Here’s the story.

Hohner should be a familiar name to readers. They make accordions, harmonicas, and all kinds of instruments. Probably just about everyone on the planet has at least seen, if not played, a Hohner instrument of one kind of another. For many years, Hohner made a line of whistles, in various keys, which were inexpensive and fairly ordinary in their appearance. They were cylindrical, metal (nickel-plated brass, from what I hear) and the vaguely resemble Overtons. I know that they were available in C, Bb, and Low G. Their Low G was one of the first available low whistles, I should think.

For some reason, Hohner whistles became very popular in South Africa and became the definitive instrument of musicians performing a South African genre of whistle music known as Kwela. From what I understand, masters of the instrument would play it with the mouthpiece further into the mouth than is typical (or seemingly even possible). For reasons that are unknown but probably have something to do with money, Hohner stopped making these some years ago. I haven’t been able to track down how long ago. I gather they were available as late as the late 1970s, but I’m not sure of that. I also understand that Hohner lost or destroyed the shop materials from or by which these were manufactured. So, barring a full-scale attempt to reproduce these by some manufacturer, the Hohner is RIP.

Fortunately for us, some loyal chiff & fipple subscribers own Hohners—the lucky devils

Fiona Ni'Murchu, a subscriber who is lucky enough to own a Hohner, was kind enough to send this image.

And, here comes the mother lode of Hohner information, from Australian whistle collector, archivist, and player Bob Bolton. Bob writes:

G'day Dale,

I note your entry in the "Inexpensive Whistles" section on the Hohner Whistle. I have 4 of these: 2 in 'C', 1 in 'Bb' and 1 in low 'G'. I bought them during the 1960s ... and even then I had to chase the last stock all round Australia. They were no longer available from Germany and the Sydney Hohner concessionaire had none but I got these from old stock at Lamberti's, in Melbourne.

They have a nickelled brass cylindrical body with the fipple made as a shaped, hollow box of the same material, soldered into place. They are thin enough to work on the blade to improve voicing. The tone is quite good and the availability of a low 'G' was a real plus BUT they are somewhat sharp of modern Concert Pitch (although, not so sharp as Indian flutes and whistles).

My records show that the 'G' was ~20 cents sharp, the 'Bb" was ~40 cents sharp and the 'C's are ~ 25 cents sharp. Indian "Kumar Flutes" (from Madhuraban) of the same general design, but lighter construction, are all ~
50 cents sharp ... totally unuseable for group playing.

…..
Regards, 

Bob Bolton

Thanks to Bob and to Fiona.

I would love to hear from other Hohner owners out there. Send pictures. Send stories. Send information. Better yet—SEND YOUR HOHNERS!

Dale

Dale Wisely

chiff & fipple

http://www.chiffandfipple.com

dwisely@wwisp.com