If you were looking to buy a whistle in San Francisco, where would you go?
I would go to Lark in the Morning by Ghirardelli Square. You can try out just about every kind of cheap whistle and they usually have a lot of Chieftain whistles as well.
I’d second the Lark in the Morning, though I can’t say I’ve been in that city long enough to look for another. It’s a tiny shop and crowded with people and instruments, but the staff was helpful and let me try out a few different whistles.
Have fun!
Jennie
that’s great - thanks for the advice. Are they good for Low/expensive whistles as well? or would there be anywhere else worth checking out?
Click on the link Michael provided and that should give you a good idea of what they carry, though that store may not have everything in their catalog. San Francisco has one of their 3 retail stores. You can also get a paper catalog from them.
I was there about three years ago. There was a case with several low whistles, and I was able to try several. Unfortunately I can’t tell you much about what was there because it was before WHOA hit for me. I did buy a Howard low D there. There were lots of cheapie whistles, and some upper-end ones in the glass cases behind the counter. I am sure you would be able to try a number of different makes, though I can’t recall which ones.
Jennie
And if they’re selling ‘Chieftain’ whistles, make sure its really a Chieftain whistle. I bought a low whistle there around 5-6 yrs. ago, and I was clearly told it was a Chieftain, but it had no identifying marks on it, and played (I later realized) like garbage. At the time I was completely new to low whistles and so bought the knock-off without knowing any better.
By the way, anyone in the market for an inexpensive low whistle? 
Mark
I’ve been there consistently over the past several years and they let you play all of the whistles (I suggest some alcohol spray or something because you never know who else played it). They do indeed have Chieftain whistles, they are stamped with the key of the whistle at the end of the bell. Its the best place for cheapies because you get to try out like 10-20 whistles of the same brand and pick the best one. I even asked the guy behind the counter for a tuner to see which one played the best and was the most in tune. I tried another store on Haight, but it was much worse. This store is probably the best you will get in San Francisco as far as choice is concerned.
There’s a nice Lark in the morning in Mendocino, too.
Worth a visit if one is in the local.