CP: O'Brien Rovers available in two new materials

Whistle
1

I’ve been offering my three piece whistles in purpleheart, bocote and by far the most popular choice, African blackwood for a few months now. The response has been very encouraging.

Here are a couple of photos of Rovers in two new materials. The black one is Delrin and the other is Osage Orange, the densest wood native to North America. It is known for rot-resistance (good for fence posts) and dimensional stability. It is used primarily for archery bows. Apparently the fruit of the Osage tree is quite disgusting and can be used as an insect repellant.

2

Those look quite nice!
I like the Osage Orange.
:slight_smile:

3

Hello, David, they do look very nice. What’s the advantage of 3 pieces? Portability?

Art

4

Yes, they’re “pocket whistles” and come with a little three pocket drawstring bag.

5

I love the Osage Orange… also known as Hedge Apple. It is a gorgeous wood, and obviously makes for a gorgeous whistle.

6

That’s a real pretty wood David – nice work.
-Casey

7

David, in my experience, at least in the experience I’ve listened too and seen, not having worked with Osage Orange wood personally, it has a reputation for eating tools. Did you find it troublesome… dulling bits, blades, etc.?

8

It makes a lovely whistle! That’s very nice work.

My personal favorite name for this wood is bois d’arc.

I wonder what kind of flute it might make?

–James

9

I turn it on a metal lathe, so it’s not really a problem. It’s much easier to work with than African blackwood.

10

I think the Delrin is a very nice addition to David’s offering. He says that it sounds very similarly to the blackwood, one of which I got from him recently. In my opinion, it is an exceptional whistle; I love it. Beautiful tonality, looks gorgeous, octaves are nicely balanced (the high notes are not ear piercing, yet the bell not is still strong). David’s Rover can certainly measure up to the best I own (Busman and Q1). I never tried Roses, O’Riordans and Copelands, but playing the O’Brien Rover makes me wonder how better can they be? This whistle seems perferct to me.

11

Hi Dave - I’m near Kansas, the official “Land-0-Hedge-Apples”.

The fruit is noxious, but the wood is beautiful and sturdy (takes about 2 hours to burn a 3 inch dia. log in the chiminea).

Will the Osage Orange Rover be priced the same as the Purpleheart?

Thanks,

LEE

BTW - I own one of your D/C nickle plated copper sets. Love it!

12

Yes, all Rovers are the same price with the exception of African blackwood.

13

Are the Rovers in delrin and other materials voiced like the copper Rambler?— as a soft whistle, with a narrow windway, and a good bit of back pressure.

What is the price for the delrin?

Thanks,
Oreo

14

The wooden and Delrin Rovers have medium back-pressure, but are a little louder than my metal whistles.

African blackwood is C$180 (about US$162) and Delrin and other woods are C$150 (US$135). Prices include a three pocket drawstring bag, leather for blackwood and cloth for the others.

15

They look real nice.

16

David, what ever happened with the blackwood Rover tour?

Judy

17

I’ve been trying to locate that whistle. jmccain had it by August 30 and said he would send it on soon. The next participant anniemcu has not received it yet. jmccain hasn’t responded to a recent PM. So if anyone has heard of where this whistle got to, I would appreciate knowing. Thanks.

18

David,

have you ever tried yew for whistles, it is very hard, and quite attractive.
I often wondered if it would be suitable.

bob

19

Yes, I made one whistle from yew. It’s quite a brittle wood. The whistle turned out with a very bright, clear tone.