Maybe you’ve had a great music store experience like I just had.
Elderly Music (a family name, not a place for seniors)was known to me as a catalogue instrument/cd place
http://www.elderly.com
Their HQ & Showroom is in Lansing, Michigan, and I just saw it for the first time.
Celtic music ? Oh, yeah !
Mandolins, mandocellos, dulcimers, fiddles, by the dozens and dozens, mostly all (even instruments in the US$5000 price range) all hanging around available for the visitor to pick up and try out..ANDTHEWHISTLES …jugs, and racks, and lots of whistles…lots of Gens, brass & nickel, in 7 bell keys (thats 11 Canadian keys), scores of Susatos, Clarkes, Sweetones, Chieftains, some others I forgot to identify…YES,any whistle that was on display or in the glass jars, you could pick up and try it out (presumably at your own health risk). I played many. At one point, because I love Weasels, I had picked up a D to try. The Clerk noticed my interest. He went and got a handful of 8 D Weasels, handed them to me, and said, Since you’re interested, try them all if you like, and let me know when you decide or if I can help. Then he left me in that room with the 8 Weasels, jars and display racks of other whistles, to play/try/touch/play/try/touch. My son eventually dragged me out for my own good and that of my family, but not before I manged to buy another Weasel D (Glenn: see you saturday if you’re reading this), and a Bb Generation (yes, they’re very good, as many posters have noted). I surely would never have bought a Gen Bb without the tryout opportunity. Maybe many other stores are equally generous in “tryout” policies of whistles and expensive instruments, but this is the finest I’ve ever been to in my 40+ years of being a musician. Every whistle book I ever bought or heard of and some I hadn’t heard of was right there for sale, and there were so many Celtic CDs, I just got overloaded looking(managed to only buy 6)
A great day it was. Do you know of a great showroom store with whistles for tryout?
On 2002-02-13 14:59, bob baksi wrote:
… Do you know of a great showroom store with whistles for tryout?
My favorite is Song of the Sea. Not only a great little store, but the scenery getting there is spectacular. Tyghre just drops me off and comes back a few hours later.
In NW CT there is a lovely little store called Folkcraft where they make hammered dulcimers. Their selection of whistles is limited (though they do have a great selection of ocarinas!) but anything there may be played, plucked, pounded, etc.
Dusty Strings here in Seattle may not have as large an inventory, but a good one nevertheless - with the usual bins of Generations, etc. and a number of fine, handcrafted whistles in addition. And you can try them all out! This is where I first played an Overton. A Reyburn. Alba. A Casey Burns flute.
I’d say the scheme works…they’ve already got a few of MY dollars…
I’m lucky enough to live a 30-minute drive from the House of Musical Traditions. It’s a good music shop with a very broad selection of instruments, especially percussion and accordion-family instruments. I’m not crazy about the atmosphere, it’s kind of intense --some of the people are really into being folky, there are some who are kind of high-pressure salespeople. I still love going into the place, though, I just ignore the folks who annoy me.
I had thought HMT was one of a kind, until I visited the Dusty Strings shop/store in Seattle. It’s absolutely fantastic; I didn’t get any of the uptight feeling I get in HMT. I actually visited it only to tour the harp-making operation. I didn’t even realize they had a store. We walked out with a couple of whistles, then went back the next day for a Portuguese guitarra and almost a wooden flute.
I’ve never been to the Folkcraft store, but I used to buy wood from them to make lap dulcimers. I’m planning to visit Song of the Sea this summer. Just might stop in Acadia for a few days on the way too. 
Charlie
As to Bob’s joy, there must be a tune for us who live in the Detroit/Windsor area as Bod does, somewhat titled The Road to Lansing, or An Elderly Moment, or Leave your credit card at home (a lament).
Mark
Lots of folks trying all kinds of instruments at Elderly pretty much any time they’re open. They even have one or two employees who actually play the whistle. They certainly don’t have much selection in the way of high end whistles (aside from Weasels and Chieftains, if you count the latter;) what they do have is both reasonably priced and accessible. There is also just about no pressure (at least that I’ve ever noticed.) I’m both fortunate and unfortunate enough to live 2 miles from this store. So far, I’ve been able to keep acquisitions under pretty good control.
Well, I live on the other side of the river from Windsor, and I can attest that Elderly is hazardous to your credit card! I plan on going back and trying out some Weasels, as well as drooling over the guitar selection.
/Bryan
I’ve never actually been to Elderly Instruments but I do like their mail order service. Nice people.
Mary
Two of you have mentioned a store in Seattle…it just so happens I will be there week after next…can you tell me approx where that store is (Dusty’s) …and if there are any others I might visit. I have heard of one called LArk in the Morning, or something like that. Also any good places with sessions? just to listen.
TIA
Bob, you have me thinking I need to drive down to Lansing one fine spring day!!!
Were you at the Langan weekend by any chance?
Hey Lizzie, pick me up on the way! hehe
I believe Dusty Strings is in the Fremont
district,which is worth a visit in any
case. Near Lake Union. Lark in the Morning
is downtown–it’s also a great store
for whistles. Those two shops will
keep you quite happy.
I tootled at things all my life, without
really playing anything well. Nearly
five years ago I wandered into Dusty
Strings and saw the whistles, and decided
that it was time to really learn how
to play the whistle. The rest is
history.
Elderly’s is a great place. And
don’t forget The Whistle Shop.
[ This Message was edited by: jim stone on 2002-02-13 23:40 ]
Andy’s Front Hall near Albany NY will let you try anything in the shop. They are mainly a mail order outfit, but you can arrange to visit if you are in the area. They have Gens in all keys, Shaws, plastic and wood Weasels, sometimes others too. Terrific selection of music for nearly ALL trad instruments, both on paper, and recorded. Terrific outfit run by terrific people. I have no commercial interest yadda yadda…
Musicfolk in St. Louis, MO. http://musicfolk.com/
has always encouraged customers to try out their instruments. First time I was there, a clerk offered me a pick, (without my asking!) so I could try out some Mt. Dulcimers. Last time I was there, I think I played every woodenflute they had in stock! Great selection of instruments and music, besides offering classes, workshops, and concerts. Well worth a stop if you’re in the neighborhood.
On 2002-02-13 21:15, Lizzie wrote:
…can you tell me approx where that store is (Dusty’s) …and if there are any others I might visit. I have heard of one called LArk in the Morning, or something like that. Also any good places with sessions? just to listen.
Lizzie, here’s the info for Dusty Strings:
Phone: 206-634-1662
Email: musicshop@dustystrings.com
Address: 3406 Fremont Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am to 6 pm, Sun 12 noon to 5 pm (Pacific time)
You should definitely check out Lark in the Morning which is downtown in Pike Place Market.
The best session I know of is on Wednesday nights at the Irish Emigrant in the University District.
On 2002-02-13 21:40, avanutria wrote:
Hey Lizzie, pick me up on the way! hehe
And me - Brampton is almost on your way!
Lizzie,
Where do you play in Toronto? So far, I’ve been way too shy to play in public, but I may show up at the Tranzac one of these Wednesdays…
On 2002-02-14 14:09, myra wrote:
On 2002-02-13 21:40, avanutria wrote:
Hey Lizzie, pick me up on the way! heheAnd me - Brampton is almost on your way!
OK. Me too. I’m in London. I’ll bring the beer.
Steve
Sounds like a party starting here on the way to Elderly instruments,
Aneura…Rochester is not even nearly on the way to Detroit area.
Myra…in Brampton no less. Pratically a neigbour. I don’t play anywhere! Not nearly ready. Although my teacher says I should be thinking soon about trying one night at the slow session of Transac. She has more confidence in me that I have for sure. Hey, maybe we could do it togther. I go to Dora’s quite often…actually I have a friend in Brampton who comes into the city for it as she enjoys it so much. Do you ever go there?
And Rick…London is certainly on the way…and you are offering to bring the beer?
I like the sound of you!!!
About three years ago I was in San Francisco and made it to Lark in the Morning. Thought I was in heaven. I spent 2 hours there. My family just left me and picked me up later. I asked if I could play several whistles and they were kind enough to nod yes. I picked up a Shaw and played a ditty. I’m not sure if it was for the protection of other shoppers, but they suggested I go to a back practice room, take with me four or five whistles and cut loose. I had fun trying a TW, Dixon Low D, and a Chieftian A among others. I purchased the Chieftian. I can relate to your experience Bob.
randy
I forgot…we could also pick up the guys in Windsor and Detroit!!! Oops, my CRV is now full!!! Good thing we don’t all play base fiddle.
And also, thanks for the info on Dusty Strings.