Anyone ever play one of these?

Whistle
1

http://www.bingamon.com/jubilee/store/basswhistles.htm

:astonished:

2

Sweet!

I’m not sure I’d pay for one. It looks really cheap (?does it have PVC sink fittings on it?). But I’d love to play one at least once in my life.

3

I have a lot of respect for Daniel Bingamon, and his work.

“judge righteously…”

4

Very interesting.

5

Thanks, I’ll stick with my accordion!

At least you don’t have to drain the spit out of it!

6

I think it’s amazing that he figured this out at all. Not sure what one would need a basso whistle for, but then, one never knows what direction music may take…

7

I can’t believe how often it comes up.
Here’s a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eeGLGXxwGs

8

At a reasonable suggestion, I thought I should clarify my thoughts on this whistle.

While I stand by my observation that the whistle appears “cheap”, and I wouldn’t buy this version. I am excited that progress is being made in a bass whistle.

I am a contrabass singer. Current “Low Whistles” first octive is in my Third octive. I can’t wait for it to be refined so I can get a whistle that is in (or near) my vocal range.

9

I suppose you could shell out $1000 or more for a Great bass recorder.
Yes, it is made from PVC and the portion that makes a U turn is a trap that is used in sinks.
It’s not an easy thing to make, all of the keys are cut and bent and soldered by hand.
The one on the Youtube video is painted different colors - sort of a whimsical Dr. Seuss like theme.
I have painted them solid colors and have given thought of making one in wood using a plywood like Baltic birch and approximating the round shape by an octagonal design. But, there are market limitations because it’s a “Penny Whistle” which is supposed to be inexpensive. (Maybe I can call it a Dime whistle.)

So far, there have been few attempts by other makers to go there. If you want any volume on a basswhistle, you’re going to need to make keys. I recently discovered that several layers of balsa wood turned at 90 degree angles crossgrain can be formed to the shape of the pipe, this good in that wood keys can be easily developed.

This summer when things warm up and there is less work, I plan on making some improvements on the design. Upon completion, any one will to pay the postage to try one out will be welcome to. (yes, there a bit heavier than tinwhistles).

10

Why bother approximating the round shape? Go square! Have you seen these? :

http://www.lazarsearlymusic.com/Paetzold-Recorders/paetzold_recorders.htm

I’ve seen and heard them in person, played by the marvelous Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet. They’re amazing instruments.

11

I’ve seen those, I had a friend who owned the Contrabass model and they do sound great. Did anyone get sticker shock on the price of those? The Bass-C (an octave below Low-C) is $2350 - over 10 times the price of a PVC basswhistle.
Actually, that is what triggered the development of the basswhistle in the first place. They also had a regular great bass recorder.
They would perform in “low choir” mode, meaning that the Soprano part would be played on a Tenor and everything shifted down an octave. It would be really interesting to hear with Tin Whistles.

I just like the idea of an octagonal bore - I’m thinking about the looks when it comes to a wood instrument. Such a design would make nice tapered bore even.

The inverted headjoint on the basswhistle and on the Paetzold Records allows the moisture to fall backward into a place for collection. The blowpipe on the basswhistle has a small dip in it for moisture collection. The Paetzold has a wood cap that you remove and there is a moisture collection cup.
You must blow the moisture out of the fipple really well on the wood instrument or the windway will warp big time, a friend of mine had that happen and he had to send it back for repairs.

The basswhistle uses a plastic block, delrin or acetal in that diameter would had a lot to the cost.

12

Sticker shock. mm… well, yes. Two thousand + dollars did set me back on my heels a bit just in contemplation of it. And I could not afford such a thing on my pitiful pittance of social security money. But the idea of the instruments is tempting. I love and admire interesting engineering and the benefits it brings.