I recently purchased a HHFI Traditions model whistle by Alex DeWilde. A very nice “affordable” whistle that can compete nicely on the low end of the budgeting scale with tweaked Freeman, Potter, or any of the mass produced models. This is a back to basics whistle. Some playing comments.
Build, Construction, Appearance: one-piece brass, wood block, narrow width comfortable beak, tube size allows Potter bell end to slip inside traditions bell end. I’m not handy with dimensions.
Intonation: solid bell note
Tone: Generation like, scratchy complexity, slight dirtiness
Chiff: good amount of chiff throughout, notes and octaves
Sound Volume Loudness: quiet to medium loud
Tuning: non-tunable other than by blowing thru two full octaves
C-natural: OXXOOO solid note
Air Volume, breathiness, air efficiency: takes a very little more air than the easy blowers
Responsiveness: very responsive and balance between octaves, smooth transition
Resistance, back pressure: easy blower
Clogging: non issue
Conclusion: a very nice custom made low end economy whistle that would be a good beginner’s whistle, or for the more experienced players looking for pleasure with a simple design instrument. Perhaps not a large group or session instrument but capable with one or two other instruments. A microphone with whistle can open opportunities. I haven’t played this whistle outdoors so cannot speak to that environment. I am very satisfied with this whistle and hope HHFI can continue to produce the traditions model successfully to the world-wide whistle community. Best $45.00 USD I spent this week!
HHFI on left Potter on right. The width opening may be very close to the same for each, however, I am trying to show the overall beak width area difference without measuring.
HHFI bell end on left with Potter tube inserted bell end on right.
Maybe try again; they’re working for me at this time. Nice-sounding whistle, there.
My assessment of the whistle’s Cnat is somewhat different from ytliek’s description: I find it a slight bit weakish (as heard in the soundclip of Planxty Irwin), but while for me that stands out, it’s serviceable all the same. A selection of sample tunes in more keys other than just D and G would be a good thing.
I happened to see that on ebay earlier. Tried to get to the soundclips but no luck.
Sound clips working here.
Not sure I’d call it custom made or was it tailored to your requirements?
No, not to my specs, the custom made refers to the fact that HHFI has only made three of these whistles so far vs. the mass produced. I like this whistle so much I’m considering buying the third whistle available just for a spare or gifting. Quality on the low end, I love it!
Just tried again but still only get a blank page and nothing happening. I do extensively block all sorts of trackers and ad sites so perhaps that’s interfering.
Yes, I knew the comment was sparse and lacking perfect pitch I wanted to spend more time on the whistle as I’ve only had it a few days. The whistle is in tune with itself to my ear across the two octaves with a slight difficulty with the two upper most notes which I have on most whistles anyway. I’m a wet blower and over blower as well. I’m not sure whether it is the whistle or my experience level. With the whistle having a cedar plug I’ve noticed that the whistle definitely has to warm up with playing for consistency and thus the intonation can change. Once the whistle is warmed up though it sings and that is what I look for in a whistle.
Perhaps someone with perfect pitch can obtain a traditions whistle and clarify the intonation and any other of my first impressions.
