Should there ever be any movement in the head of a Michael Burke black tipped session bore soprano D? If I grab the fipple I can move it back and forth, but so so slightly I can only feel it a bit, not see it. Whistle works fine.
-Sean
Well, it’s a tunable whistle, so you’re going to be able to move the head. But it shouldn’t be loose, and it shouldn’t leak. In fact, you can pull the head right off and push it back on, but Mike doesn’t recommend doing that, as it will bend easily, and then not fit correctly. I suspect that your whistle is fine.
Burke whistles are held together at the tuning slide using O-rings.
There can be a bit of lateral play like you describe; if the whistle plays fine and the tuning slide doesn’t slip, it’s not a cause for worry.
–James
I have the same whistle in brass and noticed the exact same thing with it a while ago. It seems like the movement is down inside the tuning slide. Like you said, I can feel it moving but can’t see it. It works just fine and hasn’t given me any trouble though.
BillT
I have 20+ Burke whistles and only one, a high e, has the type of play you describe. It still plays very well. I’d agree with what the others have said. You may want to check to see that the o-ring is seated properly though. If the whistle head stays put when tuned, that’s probably not the case. But it is possible to knock it out of it’s groove when assmbling the whistle.
Feadoggie
And I have a feeling that replacing the o-ring would not be a job for the thick fingered or the impatient.
I think Mike needs to look at the glue used at this point. Mine separated and I used crazy glue (super glue). A friend in the band had the same thing happen on Friday last.