Anybody having an unusually long wait on a Burke whistle? I’ve ordered a number from him in the past and never had to wait more than a month. This latest has been out, for going on two months. I emailed him but haven’t heard a peep. I shouldn’t complain since he has some of the best lead times around and I’ve waited on other whistles for up to 10 months. I got an order confirmation but am feeling like it might have fallen between the cracks. Am I just paranoid? 
I think he might just be really busy. I have sent him a email but have not heard back. I am in no rush though. I’m sure he has something going on. But I understand that if you are waiting you feel different.
Any way who cares a Burke is worth a wait in my opinion. 
For your own sanity though, I would want to make sure I did not fall into the cracks. 
Try calling him. He has a phone number published in his Web site under “Contact Mike”.
He’s probably just out water skiing and drinking Corona’s on the beach laughing about all the people that think he’s actually making whistles for them! 
He’s not good about emailing at all. He didn’t answer either of the email questions I sent him last year, and this comes up on C&F from time to time. That said, he’s one of the most reputable people in the business and eventually you’ll get your whistles one way or another. And when you do, they’ll be excellent whistles. It wouldn’t hurt to put a message on his machine (more than once is a good idea).
Actually the answer be in the mental picture I got when I read the title of this thread: Burke holdups. I could just imagine a gang of bandits robbing a postal truck and taking only the Burke whistles. 
I’ve often thought the most dangerous job in Ireland would be riding shotgun on a Guinness truck. Same thing with a Burke delivery van.
blackhawk and glauber called it if they said to call I would do just that. As far as the Burke bandits I’m sure he could hire street thugs or the mafia to protect the whistles on delivery. Better yet just send a bodhran player to escort the whistles that would scare away any bandit.
As far as the guinness truck their is no hope in protecting it.
Ot: but I know a group of guys who robbed a beer truck rolling down the highway.
Also, don’t forget this is the season for festivals and Irish fairs. I believe Michael Burke travels to these events often. He is probably on the road somewhere.
Here’s one from NASA…
You only get to pick 2 of the three features below:
good… fast…cheap
this applies to anything…whistles, spaceflight hardware, etc.
I bet some kids called him up as a prank and told them they needed 14 whistles delivered, like they do the pizza place. Then when he tried to deliver them, the poor guy who’s address he had didn’t know anything about them.
I’ve got to agree with that. Mine is an absolute treat. The more I play it, the harder it is to put it down.
Redwolf
Hi Everyone,
I want to apologize to anyone that I have not gotten back to by email. The fact is that I have been dealing with a lot of health issues for about two months ago when I had what they called a TIA (Trans-Ischemic- Attack).
Not sure what that is, but I suspect neither do the doctors. I have been doing medical tests every week since I got out of the hospital and I found out that I had Sleep Apnea, which might explain why I have been so tired for the last couple of years. It may also explain why I am missing some letters or being slow to get some things out to my great customers. Please hang in there, I am getting my last sleep study tomorrow night and then my new machine that they say will renew my lost energy and bring down my blood pressure.
Wow, that was a lot of excuses, but I always do feel bad when I don’t make people happy. Please contact me again at: mdburke@midwest.net and I will get you a good estimate on when I can get your whistles out, or answer your questions.
Thanks for your continued patience.
All the best
Mike
I’ll bet Mike has spoiled a bunch of us, what with all that quick delivery of consistently wonderful whistles. Good to hear from you Mike and good to know you’re on the mend.
Best,
PhilO
Thanks for the reply Mike. Your health is number 1. All the whistles in the world aren’t enough to risk not taking good care of yourself. I guess it’s a testament to your successful craftsmanship that you’re in such high demand. Thanks for all the great whistles. I look forward to many more.
I ordered one at the beginning of this month, and it showed up in less than a week! I was happily surprised. I got the narrow-bore aluminum soprano D with C-natural thumb hole. Quite nice! (Not time for a detailed review yet, though).
Its very true mike if you had to quit building your whistles today you would still have the respect of many more than you can count on toes and fingers. Hope you feel better soon.
Mike, good luck with the sleep apnea. People tell me that when that gets treated properly, lots of things get better.
That’s interesting about the sleep apnea, Mike. I was diagnosed last month myself. They put me on a breathing machine and now lots of things are better. They tell me it’ll add ten years to my life.
Hello Mike –
Glad to hear that sleep apnea was diagnosed – like everyone has been saying, you should see and feel an improvement before long.
A trans-ischemic-attack (TIA) is more worrisome. In simpler terms, a TIA is a “mini stroke.” The symptoms vary according to the site but basically it’s a very small episode of vascular insufficiency (not enough blood to a specific area in the brain) which causes tissue damage (ischemia). Symptoms generally last a few hours but can be as long as 24 hours before resolving.
It’s very important for your doctors to identify the site where the TIA took place and then to take the proper measures to prevent a re-occurence. A series of TIA’s can eventually lead to a major stroke (CVA - cerebral vascular accident). That’s probably what all the testing is being done for.
Taking aspirin every day is a common treatment for preventing TIA’s. One tablet a day is often recommended. Of course, check with your doctor before doing this (if you’re not doing it already).
Take care of yourself! You’re well appreciated in the whistle community!
Hi Mike. Hope you’re feeling better.
PS. I love my new brass Bb! It’s gorgeous (but then I say that about every new whistle I order from you).
Be well …
tim
Mike’s on the mend and turnin 'em out again; just got my high E natural brass and it’s a beauty.
Regards,
Philo