Copeland Update

Whistle
1

Hello Everyone,
So sorry for the delay. I wrote Dale a little over a week ago to post to the forum and had some trouble speaking to Mike Copeland to discuss what I’m about to post. Mike is alive and very well and sends his best to all.

The main thing is that the company Copeland Woodwinds is currently shut down. This was obvious from the web site, or lack of it.

Michael and I were not able to continue from Dec 2006 and had much to settle, mostly pay our bills. Mike continued on solo for 2007 and although he was able to still produce a few whistles, he found that he needed to back off as well. Mike also met the newest love of his life, Pam, and is settling down and quite happy these days.

We are still very close friends and would love to collaborate again someday but it is not likely in the foreseeable future. For the time being, Mike continues to work on a few special projects. You might say he is in semi-retirement. Best option is to pickup any used Copelands you may find out there. New ones will be very rare.

I will keep the web site name if in the event any more Copelands become available and you can be sure that an announcement will be made if the time ever comes.

Thanks so much for all our faithful players out there and the many great years.

All the best,
Jim

2

Jim, thanks for clearing things up. I hope things go well for both yourself and Michael.

I remain a happy user of Copeland whistles and the Copeland flute.

Feadoggie

3

Thanks for the update.

4

Tell him to take it easy, he’s a legend in his own time! And good look to you Jim!

5

Thanks for the update and sincere thanks for the Copelands I already own. Best of luck to both of you for the future.

6

Wow.

I’ve ALWAYS loved my two Copelands, but now…

Wow.

7

So, is there anyone out there with the competence to do revoicing work on a Copeland?
Best,
Jon

8

A real blow/loss to the Low whistle world. I’m selfishly glad I managed to buy a few second hand Copeland Low D’s before this news hit. I hate to think what this will do to the price of used ones, will Copelands be the new O’Riordans? Lets hope there won’t be any new ebay records set/broken.

9

Not to flame or anything but didn’t you set or come close to one them (eBay record) yourself? :smiling_imp:

10

Guilty as charged :blush: … :smiley:

In my defense I later came to my senses and sold it…

Only to use the money to buy a Reviol C,D,Eb set and a Copeland Sterling Silver low D! :laughing:

11

Amazing - one of the leading whistle makers closes shop and few comments result. I think it is a real loss. It is great to hear that Mr. Copeland is doing well and is happy.

Thanks for the update.

Best, John

12

True a loss, but what are you gonna do. Comments are not gonna change things. I’m glad he’s doing what he wants, more people should.

13

Rend garments and gnash teeth.

Do I have to tell you lot everything?

14

Gnash, rend!

an extraordinary loss.
My best wishes to Jim and Michael, whatever
they do. Good friends to this community,
on several fronts, over the years.

15

Best wishes to them both; Mike must have made my Copeland A about 15 years ago (since sold and replaced with a new wonderful one). I’m happy for Michael and glad to have dealt with, yes, a legend in our area, for many years. I’m also glad to have amassed 8 wonderful Copelands during that period. Best to you as well Jim.

Phil

Wait a minute…I don’t have a sterling silver Copeland…that’s just not right…

16

I’m guessing that the lack of comments is due to the fact that this sad news isn’t really much of a surprise. I mean, this topic isn’t so much news, as it is confirmation of what has been suspected for a while.

I am very fond of my Copeland A, and I regularly kick myself for waiting too long while someone else bought a Copeland silver D that I had my eye on. That whistle is now set in my mind as “the one that got away.”

It’s also hard to know what to say about Mr Copeland or his retirement, as I know nothing about him, other than his whistles. But at any rate I wish him a happy retirement.

17

:frowning: I may never own one now. Ah well… so many whistles, so many tunes, so little time, so much less money. :slight_smile:

Sorry to hear of the end of an era, but glad to know that your friendship survives and of the happiness that has come into Michael’s life.

18

Well, you do if you want us to vote for you in November, John McCain. :smiley:

19

This news feels to me like the sense of loss I felt when Glenn Shultz passed away not too long ago. I’m indeed happy for both Jim and Michael as they are doing what they want to do at this point in their lives; however, it’s a great loss for all of us. :sniffle:

20

really sorry to hear this. i have a fond memory of meeting michael at his shop in philly, what, well over ten tens ago now. i drove down from boston to buy what was my first copeland whistle, a C. he’d just completed a batch of them, i tried them all and picked out what must be one of the best whistles out there. i also have a low and high D, both also world class instruments.

no doubt it’s got to be hard to make a buck in the whistle business, now especially with all the competition out there. nevertheless, i’m still a bit surprised the trade mark and know-how hasn’t been handed off to someone else. i hope perhaps after michael’s gotten away from it there will be some opportunity for some trusted and enterprising soul to resurrect what is a world class tin whistle brand and whistle-making tradition.

In the mean time, I wish michael and all those associated with copeland woodwinds all the best, and extend a special thanks to michael for creating instruments that are close to my heart and responsible for some of the best musical moments of my life (so far).