Hi, all. In accordance with stated policy, I am making this one-time announcement of a new whistle I just added to the Serpent Music line. Called the “BrassySinger”, it’s a soprano available in C, D, and E-flat. The body is satin brass, it has an integral tuning slide, and a Delrin fipple plug to keep the weight down. It’s a good session-volume whistle.
Because my website is a pain in the bouzouki to update, I’ve put the very first one up on eBay as item 7311214962 and the price point is good, I think.
It’s a nice responsive whistle. I’m not a fast player, but the notes just seemed tp POP! out, and it kinda took me by surprise. I’ll have a sound file up on my website tomorrow, I think.
Anyhow, that’s it! If you want more detail, please email me, or hang around a couple days and I’ll get more info on my website. Thanks for listening.
End of Announcement.
Cheers,
Bill Whedon
Serpent Music
Nice looking whistle, Bill, and the price does seem reasonable.
This brings up something that has bugged me for a while…
It used to be that we talked about the PRICE of something. Then, in more recent years the term “price point” came around. It seems to me that the word “point” in that phrase is totally useless and unnecessary. It sounds like a term that some sort of comittee thought up…
Not to rag on you Bill-- I hear this all the time and it baffles me.
Maybe someone in the marketing world can enlighten me…
I am not in marketing or any other sort of “ing” but I agree. I guess it is like all language, street to business. Everyone thinks that they have to come up with ‘their own’ way of saying things in each generation.
Another term that has become heavily used in business is “speak to” instead of “talk about” or other familiar way of saying that. This might make a good topic of discussion in the other forum.
I was certainly surprised and disappointed when I saw the subject of this post. Sandy Jasper of Elf Song started her line of “Sassy Brass” whistles over two years ago, which until now was an original product name in the whistle world, as far as I could see. I admired her for coming up with that original name and it was refreshing to see there are still people out there who take pride in being original and walk their own road. Why in the world would you (or anyone) want to use the exact same name that someone else in the business is using for their product? I own my own business, have worked in advertising, and can’t imagine ever doing that. I’ve never understood why someone has to copy a competitor and can’t be original on their own. Guess it’s always just much easier to copy someone else, huh?
I do apologize to Sandy, and have done so in a separate post. I flat forgot that she had that name locked down.
In accordance with my policy of not stealing anything from anyone, ever, I have renamed the whistle to conform to my own conventions within Serpent Music. It is now
BrassySinger
I will also cease and desist from the term “price point” in future communications.
Been a great week. Happy Easter or whatever, everyone!
Cheers,
Bill Whedon
Serpent Music
I’m a friend of Sandy’s. I have and love whistles she’s made. I simply forgot that she was using the name. Nothing sinister, nothing to try to step on her toes or steal her thunder. I’ve renamed the whistle here, will do so on my website, and will, if I can, correct it in the listing on eBay.
I’m not in business to make enemies of my colleagues. Give people a little credit for just being dummies once in a while. It’s not all cutthroat.
Sorry, where are my manners!? I almost forgot to thank everyone who PM-d and emailed posted to bring my being a dunce to my attention. Believe it or not, I honestly do appreciate it when somebody tells me I’ve done something stupid, so I can correct it. Even if the tone of that telling is less than complimentary…
Thanks, all, Happy Holidays,
Bill Whedon
Serpent Music
No problem, Bill. You’re a good man for being honest and so gracious about changing the name. And I apologize for being les than complimentary. It’s just that in my business, I see people constantly copying competitors…with not the best of intentions in mind. Sorry about having implied that you may be among that group. It’s obvious you’re not.
I’m also a good friend of Sandy’s. I designed the header for her web site, as well as shot all the whistle photos on the order page. I was one of the four she selected to test her new SassyBrass line and submit a review. So when I saw that post, I immediately went into “protection mode”. I know she’ll be glad to learn that you’ve changed the name. It’s a good one, BTW. Best wishes to you!
Oooops!!!
(sigh…) it was such a neat name, too, and does so describe the sound…
However, in keeping with being a good citizen here, I have renamed the newest whistle in the Serpent Music lineup to…
BrassySinger
In keeping with the “SunSinger” line
I apologize for any problems my faux pas with naming may have caused.
Best,
Bill Whedon
Serpent Music
Sandy Jasper wrote:
Thanks for changing the name, I think it could get confusing for both our customers and I am glad not to have to worry about it now.
Thanks also to those members on the board who took the time out to let Bill know of the name double so that he could change it so soon! It is nice to know you are all looking out for us.
Best of luck Bill on your new line, I am glad that the Elves can call of the lawsuit and get back to work on their chores, the laundry is beginning to pile up!
