Brand New Village Smithy whistle

Whistle
1

Monday, the postman brought my latest whistle - A new village smithy. In fact, it is number one of a whole new line with the curved windway.

This is just a short tease, I will review it later in more detail, but I wanted to share my first impressions.

The whistle is heavier - and sturdier than any other whistle I own. It is all steel and brass.

The workmanship shows. It has a little place where a drill skittered instead of cut. There were slight file marks around the bore.

Now I worked in metal for twenty years, and still make jewelry, so I knew what I was getting – and wanted it.

My initial thoughts on hearing the whistle is this is my blues whistle. It has a sweet tone, with just a hint of whisky roughness. It speaks with some authority. It has presence.

The bottom octave is a joy. The top octave is a touch louder, but still with that fantastic tone.

I want to play the whistle in for a bit, then I will revisit this post to let you know how I feel in a week or two

Thanks for your patience

2

I have been wondering how much of a difference the curved windway makes. I was hoping that someone who had an older Serpent and upgraded to the curved windway would give us a review. I look forward to hearing more from you after you have spent some time with your ‘Smithy’


Frank

3

I have an older Serpent with an upgraded windway. I reviewed it on GC when this board was down. In a nutshell I like the sound a lot better. It’s still quiet enough to keep from breaking my ears.

I had crawfish once in New Orleans. Which got me thinking I should consider Cajan or Zydeco on the whistle.

4

Now i’m curious. Is this a bad thing (carelless) or a good thing (some kind of Zen-like attitude of accepting an accident into the final product)?

g

5

Bill warns you on his web page that these are rough and ready whistles, “like the village blacksmith would make for his children.”

I expected some marks. Just to be honest, I have considered several coverings for the whistle, including paint, silver plate, and chrome. Sort of like gilding the lily

6

I have an early model steel Serpent from before he started calling them Smithy’s, and I still like it a lot. It is NOT a refined looking whistle, but it gets the job done, and the slightly crude craftsmanship gives it a charm all it’s own. I have a newer brass one, which is much more refined looking and sounding-- almost like they were made by different people. Both are well worth considering for your next WHOA dose…

7

I had to see this, and after a quick search, here’s the link:
http://www.serpentmusic.com/villagesmithy.html

I was almost afraid to “click the picture to see a blow up”. :slight_smile:

This reminds me of an old whistle i have. Seems like a good deal for $45. Something to throw in the backpack/

8

My WhOA really is cured, but I gotta admit that that is one interesting looking whistle - it has a character that reminds me of an old but well-cared-for shotgun that’s seen more than it’s fair share of rabbit and quail hunts.

9

Ok, Im curious
Since its made of steel, does it take more time to warm up? any major clogging issues coming from that material? Im really tempted, they’d probably make great travel whistles

10

I think the key statement there was “the workmanship shows”
I think little “accidents” like that are cool reminders that I am holding a hand-made instrument, that someone made with there own two hands and a whole lot of heart. Perfectly molded workmanship is good too, but little scratches and such add there own little touch of character to the whistle. (now big mistakes on the other hand…)