Changing or removing the fipple -

Whistle
1

I just purchased a Freeman D/C set and would like to remove the fipple and try it on the C whistle. The fipple is plastic and I want to avoid damage. Any suggestions?

Crank

2

Hi Cranky, I guess you’re referring to the whistle head. The fipple is only one part of the head.

Freeman heads are tweaked to be easily movable (for tuning) and removable. Put your whole hand around the head, then twist and gently pull. Place it on the whistle body of your choice, as long as the diameter matches.

3

Thanks for the advice -

I also found, though it took me quite a bit of searching, and easy way to hep with the process. I have a plastic head and I would not recommend this with a wood head.

  1. Wrap the body with plastic wrap to give you additional hold. This also allows you to water proof any labels on the whistle body.

  2. run the plastic head under hot water - 30 sec increments

  3. Using a dishtowel, preferably a clean one, wrapped around the head give it a twist.


    I tried this and it worked well - one other recommendation would be to allow the Head to cool to room temp before playing.

Since I have your attention - where can I purchase additional heads for my whistle?

Crank

4

I can send you an additional Mellow Dog whistlehead if you like. They’re $25.00 including postage. Send me a PM, and we’ll sort out the particulars.

Best wishes,
Jerry



5

Yes, that’s all fine, Cranky, and good for you to know about. But intended more for a glued-on head or a really stuck head. Jerry sands the inside collar of his tweaked heads to ensure that they’re easily adjustable, so the ritual shouldn’t be necessary. I keep a pair of surgical latex gloves in my whistle kit for extra grip in dealing with stuck heads. But I’ve never come across a Freeman head that didn’t twist right off as it’s supposed to. As long as you’re careful not to bend the head sideways or apply pressure directly onto the fipple blade, there’s little risk of damaging the plastic. Enjoy!

6

Sometimes they’re sticky the first few times when they’re new, but they should loosen up after they’ve been moved around a bit.

Guru is right, it’s usually not necessary to do more than hold the whistlehead firmly in one hand, the tube firmly in the other, twist and pull. You can use some cork grease or the like (ChapStick, Vaseline, etc.) when you reassemble (I use cork grease when I assemble them the first time).

Best wishes,
Jerry