Hey Walden,
A while back I asked about an low g azurkar whistle of mine, which you identified. I have it now. After some inexperience and a blowtorch, it is in disrepair, and I am trying to put in a new block…
Anyway, when I first got my whistle back (before the blowtorch took the block out…never solder hole in a whistle with a blowtorch, at least not on the fipple) I realized that it is VERY out of tune. I checked the G on my chromatic tuner and it registered as a flat G#. I’m still in the process of fixing this (I think it will work with the new block too), and I’ll let you know if it works. Is the low D that you told me about out of tune as well? I’m thinking of getting one, as strange as that seems with my experience with the G.
Timotheus
Sorry to butt in here but, isn’t that one of those brass Indian/Pakistani things they sell on eBay? I’ve not bought one but almost everything said about them is bad.
Maybe I’m just being nosey, but why spend money on another and go to all that work when a good low-end whistle such as a Dixon won’t cost any more and will be playable right out of the packaging?
Yes, these are the same whistles and yes, although they are in tune with themselves they are universally, consistently about 1/4 tone sharp.
In all fairness, I have a set of these and they really do play pretty well as long as you’re playing solo, with another Azurkar whistle or with a really good guitar player friend who would’t mind tuning up to you . . . and it’s not a bad price for an all brass whistle.
With that caveat, I can recommend them as a good “messing around” whistle.
Vinny
The only Asarkar whistle I presently have is a low D, and it is pretty much in tune according to the electronic tuner. The consistency varies on these, from whistle to whistle, according to what I’ve heard.
Alright then, I’ll look into others more, then. I am also going to try to build one if I have time.
I think there is a solution to this problem with them being out of tune. I think you can bring themback to pitch by covering just enough of the top part of the square hole (sorry, I don’t know term for it; it is above the overcut/lip). I tried it with a guitar pick before it was done in, and it works. This may be more trouble than they’re worth, and if it’s flat, you’d have to mess with the holes or the length of the tube or something.
Yes, Chuck_Clark, these whistles are made in India. I don’t think they are the same brand you are thinking of, though. Are you thinking of the company in Pakistan that makes those terrible bagpipe chanters from cocus wood, that don’t even play evenly up the scale (I had a bad experience with one of these…)? The name of that company, I believe, is something like Gremlin…something close to that. I don’t think this is the same company that makes these whistles, since they have a name on them, Azurkar(those pipe chanters have no name stamped on them), and they are made in India. Although, I agree, the craftsmanship is rather poor.
I’m going to use the Azurkar Low G and D as a last resort.
They are imported from India (and often sold on eBay) by the same company that produces the Pakistani flutes and bagpipes, but are not made by them.
Actually, I think I found something else that’s cheaper than a Dixon…the copper low D from Jubiliee Inst. is about $35, while a Dixon is about $50 (at the Whistle Shop).
Here’s the page for them:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kadima/whis-metal.htm
Anybody have any experience with these?
Considering all the options they have (the number of options is rather surprising) and the price, I’m very curious.
The maker, Daniel Bingamon, is a member of this forum. You could get in touch with him about his instruments via private message.
I’ve been studying up on lyres (particularly Hebrew forms) and have been surprised to find out how often he’s quoted.
On 2002-08-12 13:48, Vinny wrote:
Yes, these are the same whistles and yes, although they are in tune with themselves they are universally, consistently about 1/4 tone sharp.In all fairness, I have a set of these and they really do play pretty well as long as you’re playing solo, with another Azurkar whistle or with a really good guitar player friend who would’t mind tuning up to you . . . and it’s not a bad price for an all brass whistle.
With that caveat, I can recommend them as a good “messing around” whistle.
Vinny
I agree entirely with the Vinster. These aren’t bad. Internal tuning good, absolute tuning off. But, pretty good sound and pretty playable.
Just got in a couple of new ones, an alleged Bb, and an alleged G. Both sound great by themselves, but, according to the electronic tuner, the G is sharp, and the Bb is dead on B natural.
Someone on another thread was wanting to play in C# minor. I just made a clip to demonstrate it on my Asarkar alleged Bb.