Well, the title says it all.
After spending years making all sort of related instruments, finally I venture into the whistle field. For a start I have high D, G and low D. Later on, if there is any interest, I’m going to extend the range to other sizes.
I don’t quite know how to launch the whole thing. Being too far away from anywhere, I’m not in a position to travel to trade shows and festivals, so I try through here. What I could do is send out a whistle or two on a “whistle tour”, but to tell the truth, I have had some not very good experiences with this sort of thing with other instruments of mine.
Any clever ideas?
Here is the offering:
The whistles are modelled on the 17th to 19th century shapes. They have a stepped bore, no, not conical, neither cylindrical. It works well.The ones in the photo are made from New Zealand native timber, Black Maire, which is just fantastic for the job. The windway is also done in the old way, which is quite a bit more tricky to do than the more common straight kind.
All in all, yes, they do have a wooden instrument kind of sound. I rather think that is because they are made from wood.
The tentative prices to start with are NZ$ 180 for the high D, 280 for the G, and 350 for the low D. That translates to US$ (as of today) as 137, 213 and 266, respectively.
What I could possibly do is offer a reduced price for the first few intrepid explorers taking a plunge. In exchange for glowing reviews posted here. Any other clever ideas are welcome.
Shame on me! I play medieval music, mostly, and do not play Irish at all. (Yes, well, hangs head in shame and slinks away…) Apart from that, I have to admit that I simply do not own a camera of any description.
However, I’ll certainly look into that aspect. (After all, I do have the same sort of problem with my other instruments, too. Luddite is the word for me.)
Your whistles look to be of a 2 piece design. I asume this means they are tunable. Could you offer a picture and/or describe the construction of your tuning joints? PM me, if neccessary.
I think some of the folks here have the right idea… start a whistle tour. It will only cost you the postage to the first stop and you’ll get a lot of useful feedback.
A couple of quick ideas from a buyer’s point of view:
Give a description about your whistle making experience, the playing characteristics, and your decisions in voicing the instrument. After all, the buyer will buy your instruments ‘blind’. I have seen a couple of new whistle makers pass by these last couple of years. If the maker is not a musician or experienced whistle player AND never talks about the voicing of his whistle, that has always been an no-no for me.
You can also post your view on the guarantee you offer for repairs etc. Ad a ‘not satisfied, send it back’ policy.
Start with an offer people cannot refuse to get your whistles out there. This way, if someone posts the old ‘hey guys, have you ever heard of such and such whistle maker’ question, there will be someone to respond and give feedback.
Post your shipping costs to Europe and USA.
I have never found recordings very useful. You’ll hear two whistles that sound more or less the same in a recording, but are completely different if you play them yourself. I find a description of the sound by the maker more informative.
I totally agree that recordings are not particularly helpful. However, I think the important point from the seller’s point of view is that lots of buyers think they’re helpful.
Looks amazing natural!!! Beautifully
I’m realy wonder how they sounds and I think whistle tour is realy good idea.
Your whistles will be need special care (oiling)?
Just a quick update on how it’s progressing.
Jack Lindberg of Pennsylvania was adventurous enough to volunteer to make some recordings, and I’m sure we all thank him for that. I do, anyway. He’ll be receiving a high D one in a week or two’s time.
There are all sort of sinister dealings going on behind the scenes, aimed at working out what happens next. (A flurry of PMs have been exchanged, and dark forces are stirring. ( add some boding slow music of your choice to the above.))
Updates to follow.
Another very brief update.
(By the way, yes, I’m alive and well, being some 400 kms south of the earthquake, so even though we felt it, there is no damage so far south.)
Jack Lindberg recorded some marvellous clips, Irish music, so it will give you guys a much better idea of the capabilities than I could have done with it. Thanks, Jack. The links will be posted very soon. In the meanwhile some more thoughts are going into what next, be patient. Yes, there will be a whistle tour, it’s just the matter of organising it.
Watch this space. (But not every 5 minutes, don’t expect miracles.)
Greetings,
I am very excited to see that Yuri is making low whistles. He is a great scholar,outstanding craftsman and a joy to deal with. He made a wonderful set of bagpipes for me a few years back and I could not be more happy with the instrument and the service that I received. Look forward to hearing a sample and learning more.
Le deagh dhurachd (Scot. Gaelic: With best wishes),
Jason
(Yes, well, hangs head in shame and slinks away…) Apart from that, I have to admit that I simply do not own a camera of any description. 
and I’m sure we all thank him for that. I do, anyway. He’ll be receiving a high D one in a week or two’s time.